Maybe no one was supposed to notice but in the last few years I noticed some designers and retailers are selling designer products and passing those items as their own design.
I just saw recently in this retailer's catalog RH (Restoration Hardware/USA) a mid 20th century table lamp originally made by Laurel Lamp of New Jersey & attributed to an artist/welder Harry Balmer, both names not mentioned in the catalog. Even the term "brutalist" is misused to describe the aesthetic of the lamp.
In 2005 while at Target, I spotted a Bauhaus looking desk lamp that resembles a Christian Dell design. For a moment, I was applauding Target for bringing great design icons to the masses at an affordable price. It is not a terrible copy for the price range, but was very disappointed that it was being marketed as a Thomas O'Brien design.
Showed them to an old client & they bought all 8.
Only time will tell if these will hold up. I must say the seat part is dead on just like the pre 1986 originals with all the correct hallmarks, tight corner radius & even the waterfall seat edge.
For me, the base gave it away as a replica, not just with the absence of the Knoll stamp but the welds are kinda rough & the step placement was off too.
It is unfortunate that most of these will eventually get mixed up with the authentic versions
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