Local Craigslist.Going to look at a supposedly genuine Noguchi.The gravel voiced lady claims she doesn't know if it's original,as she had it a long time.Her late husband originally bought it,so she claims.It's walnut base,3/4" glass,and is about 50" long.Anyhthing key I should be looking for ? Thanks!
The last five years...
The last five years Herman miller started putting the name Isuamu Noguchi engraved in the glass. the old ones from the 50's and 60's had nothing.
Of all the furniture reproduced in the last 50 years this is one of the most copied cause it is so easy to do , any great carpenter shop and good glass cutter can make it, I bought the Herman miller last year and love it I do like the label on the outside too.
Well,I bought it!
I was the first of many callers.She said the response was overwhelming,and there were people offering even more than what her asking price was.Her husband bought it from a reputable high end furniture store 40 years ago.I arrived at 5 pm and I got goosebumps when I saw it.I just knew it was correct,though I made a big deal about not finding any markings,and I think LRF was correct-there would not be a lazer etched signature in the 60's.To make a long story short,she took $200. for it!!!Anyhow,the wood is absolutely the heaviest,most gorgeous hunk of dark grained walnut ever! The glass has nary a mark,no chips on the edges,a few of the faintest scratches which could only be seen if you reallly look.As I was loading the base into the car,I saw a little "wiggle" in the wood where the pointed parts meet each other,and thought-aha a knockoff!Ah,well.However,when looking at all the closeups of genuine Herman Miller pictures,the very same wiggle is there!!!Which leads me to think a copy would NOT have those.I'm very happily applying Howards Feed and Wax to the base before I clean thre glass and set it upon the wood.All I can say is WOW! What a great find! Thanks to all for your help in identifying!!
Good deal.
We noted the wiggle on another thread. Some copies lack it, and I have seen one which seems to exaggerate it.
I've also seen a copy in which the glass has a negative curve on one side, the beginnings of a kidney shape: another definite no-no. Copies often have thinner glass and/or glass with the wrong edge profile. The correct one is sometimes called a "thumbnail" edge, I believe.
I hadn't heard about the 60 degree limiter. I wondered how the designer intended the user to select the correct (intended) angle between the base elements. . .
The "60 degree limiter "puzzles me
as I can move mine any which way.It appears 60 degrees is abou the correct angle to show the top off to its best.Mine does have the 3/4" glass.It is not a real curved edge,which I understand the original edges were not finished very curved at all.In fact,they are almost dead flat or square,with just a bit of rounding on the edge.ANyhow,I am tickled pink with this, as it seems to pull the entire living room together!
after 30 years i should ...
after 30 years i should own every piece of mid century modern furniture ever made and open by own version of of a vitra museum,
There are a few i do not own, but i am serious if i was rating the top 10 that would be number 1 cause it has nothing but timeless style and class, LCW would be in the top 5 with barcelona chair, wire chair by bertoia, and the Egg chair by Jacobsen with Eames Lounge chair coming along the rail,( and yes i have them all)
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