In the recent theme of replica threads, I came across my first Johannes Andersen Smile Coffee Table knockoff recently on eBay. I don't believe I had ever seen one before, at least not recognized by me, and it took me a while to notice two identifiable features which differ from the original (anyone want to play Where's Waldo and see if they can find them?).
Has anyone come across a Smile knockoff in your various endeavors? If so, who is making them? I always thought it was too difficult a piece to fabricate economically for the limited market that is out there. Note that the curved "hip" joint for the legs is consistent with the original. I have not seen any close up photos to compare joint quality but it looks good from the overall shots. Starting price is $695 with no bids so far.
To be fair to the seller, the eBay listing is carefully worded to avoid claiming it is an original Smile table. However, I believe it is done so in order to dupe bidders into thinking the seller doesn't realize he has a valuable piece.
Knockoff shown below . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261136405798?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Yes
There is some "dealer" in Brooklyn who has been listing these as well as copies of the z chair and a bunch of "new" credenzas.
http://www.designstoliveby.com/Coffee-Tables.html
Nice find on the Brooklyn...
Nice find on the Brooklyn guy. I hadn't come across him before. Same photos, same description, and same price.
That's a pretty nice Z-chair knockoff as well, at least visually, even going so far as to have the curved upward lips on the arms. I wonder how good the quality is, and whether they disassemble as nicely as the originals. Not sure if I have seen a Z knockoff done so well. It must cost them so, as they are priced fairly close to a vintage Z.
Looking at the rest of their offerings, I am now even more intrigued as to where they are coming from. If it is a overseas factory with high quality control, we'll probably end up seeing more examples popping up in the future.
By the way, the second tell I found on the Smile, besides the lower stretchers, is that the the ends of the legs are more square versus the rounded ends of the original.
A lot of these
knockoffs seem to be coming out of Thailand.
http://www.alibaba.com/member/th111576729.html
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