Vitra Eames La Chaise...is it real?  

Have you
called Vitra?

Vitra call is a good...
Vitra call is a good tip!
I saw 2 Vitra La Chaises past month (real life) and this strikes me when I see your pictures:
- The Vitra's have a real smooth surface (no fiberglass). I think the material is Polyurethane. And it's finished with lacquere. So on used examples you will see light scratching real easy. But the material is real hard, so you will need a lot of presure to get deep scratches.
- The wood of the base is beautifully finished (also smooth cross connection).
Hopes this helps...

Vitra does make lacquered fibreglass versions.
I see there is some glue residue just under the hole in the backrest. This is exactly the place where the paper Vitra label would be. So I guess it was removed at some point. The base and the metal rods seem genuine.

Thank you for your comments s...
Thank you for your comments so far. I was wondering about the label and if that is where it was placed.
Yes, this is lacquered, as evidenced by some chipping through the white finish around the edges where it rubbed against the wall.
I'm going to call Vitra and see if I can get any info. Thanks for that suggestion.

I've noticed a reoccurring tr...
I've noticed a reoccurring trend in these ID and authenticity threads of paper labels missing after years of use. You'd think that if you're spending a couple grand on a piece of furniture they'd find a better way of adhering their "mark". Especially when it plays such an important role down the line in determining a piece's value.

Yes, it doesn't make sense at...
Yes, it doesn't make sense at all that a 10K piece of furniture would just have a paper label, especially when so many companies are making knock-offs. I'd think a makers mark would be etched or stamped on the underside, or at least have an ink stamp.
I called Vitra and they will get back to me on measurements and other specifics. I will post everything here I find out for the benefit of others who find themselves in this situation. They did tell me that Vitra originally made these in fiberglass, but now makes them in polyurethane. Thanks again.

Paper labels are indeed a bad idea but they do use them.

I think
It also good to know that some older originals never had a label. I have seen this come up in discussions re. The Barcelona for example. The signature on there was added because of authenticity issues with so many knock offson the market as they had not protected their rights properly. I own a 1940's barcelona and it does not have alabel or manufacturers label on there but it sure is real and quite valuable and rare. The sizes differ slightly from the current sizes too. it goes for many objects too.
So it it not always the best guideline, i think there should be some caution here before discarding any object because there is no label, you could be missing out on a first production or very early version..so literature sometimes beats the internet and an experts eye is even better at times as well

la chaise
hi,
I am a vintage dealer and i have had quit a few "la chaise" chairs in the past years.
this is indeed a very difficult chair to tell if its genuine or not..
I have seen very good copies, where even the labels seems authentic.
to be honest, i believe the finish of you chair isn't perfect enough to be a Vitra.
but.. the shell could have been repainted, as I know for a fact sometimes the paint lets go at some point.
the wood seems original and so does the metal.
but to be 100% sure, you have to weigh it! a original la chaise has to be 32kg.
if its more than 1kg different its a fake..
it has always been the same weight from the early 90's up to now.
(I have this info directly from the Vitramuseum in Germany)
best regards,
Yves

my follow-up
Many thanks for all your comments and suggestions. Here's my follow-up. I sent a message to Vitra through their website and received no response. I called Vitra in New York and their sales manager contacted customer support and then emailed me this info:
Net weight: 45 kg
Stopped producing in fiberglass in 2006.
Base of the standard version was always in oak.
And finally, as best as they know, the measurements have always been the same.
Some have said that the pebbled surface and some visible fiberglass hairs are common on the fiberglass pieces, while the later pieces have a smoother surface.
Thank you Yves for the information you provided, especially on the weight. I thought that the weight would have changed in 2006 when the materials changed. My scale is not totally accurate, but it weighs my La Chaise closer to 32kg.
And with all my research, I'm still unsure if it's authentic. I'll be in NYC next month and hope to find a gallery where I can see and touch a 1990's fiberglass original. Any suggestions on where I might find that in NYC would be appreciated. I'll check online, too.
Thanks Again!
~Rich

I am editing a silly question.
Sorry.

rich6705
I own a Vitra La Chaise ( I hesitate to sat an original La Chaise, as it might infer a 1948 ) I was born in 1948, the year of its conception, and was lucky enough to have a son-in-law who managed ARANGO, a design store in Dadeland Mall (Miami). Although he no longer works there. Since he worked directly with Vitra, I am getting ready to see if he can still contact his seller. My lounge received a small chip, which has been professionally repaired, even though one can not find the repair unless I show it to them. I want to buy the original Vitra lacquer and have it completely refinished in the original paint. Vitra used lacquer for its ability to be sprayed multiple times, until a perfect finish was achieved.
As to yours being real or not, contact me and I can take photos for you. most reproductions have the stainless legs bolted to the bottom, whereas Vitra used inserts similar to the shock mounts on the Eames 670 lounge, but inserted before the two shells were bonded. As to the fiberglass strands showing, I cant be sure, but I sat in many La chaise lounges prior to buying and they were all near perfect in finish.
BZen

Yves
Please check my response to my response above to rich6705 in response to his question as to whether or not his La Chaise is real.
I noted you area vintage dealer, and have had Vitra La Chaise lounges in the past. Though I had never planed on selling mine, my wife contracted a type of breast cancer the FDA has no approved treatment for. We are having to travel out of country for treatments, and insurance does not pay. This means I have to liquidate much of my collection which is eclectic. With modern from Gio Ponti, Baughman, and of course Vitra. (as to the chip I had repaired, I have wide and close-up photos. It was not major, but have dealt in collectables for decades and would never misrepresent any piece. I also have a large collection of Japanese ,Chinese, and Tibetan works, mainly from the 17th Century through 19th Century. I am not sure how much I will sell off.
We currently Live in Prescott, AZ, at almost 6000ft altitude, and her Dr. suggest we move to a lower altitude. As a builder developer, on the fifth try, I managed to build her perfect home. Even if we can only live here a few months a year, she refuses to sell it. This leaves the option to purchase a Motor Coach to live in and travel the parts of the states we have not seen, when not traveling to Europe for treatments. If you are interested, post me and I will forward photos.
BZen

Thank you BZen. I had to sell a few pieces and ended up putting this one in a local Live Auctioneers auction last year. I was never able to have it authenticated, so with a hammer price of $2,500 I was happy to break even. I made sure to inform the auction gallery that it may or may not be authentic, and they passed that information along to the potential bidders. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in offering to assist me. I hope that all goes well with your wife, and that she is able to receive the very best treatment.
Best Regards,
-Rich