Chinese reproductions of modern furniture classics

[JoeWoah]

Originally Posted by poodlerock

emptym--did you end up going with modernclassics? how was the experience?

I'd like to know too.

To be honest, I don't see a problem buying replica furniture. It's not going to be any worse than anything you'll buy at a middle tier furniture store like Ethan Allen. All of that stuff is made in China too. You'll live in it more and be less protective around it too.

There are certain pieces I wouldn't really cheap out on, like a formal dining room table.

 

[otc]

There is some argument against it based on the fact that its basically "stealing" (or more, infringing) on someone elses design.

That being said, many early modern pieces have been around long enough that the copyright (is it a copyright?) on the design has expired. These no longer need to be licensed for production and a lot of places that used to make knock-offs now make legitimate reproductions. As long as the craftsmanship is good, I'd be all for it (and more pieces will probably be in the public by the time I am populating a house with furniture). The prices might still not be so low though...the chair that spawned this thread has a TON of tedious hand work so I doubt it could ever be too cheap.

 

[hypersonic]

Unbelievable ...how do they get away with this?


I can understand the copyright has long run out on some of the early-to-mid century items ...but how do they legally produce and sell these much more recent designs? ...they are still protected by international copyright ...aren't they?


Copy of 'Spun light T' by Sebastian Wrong for Flos

Copy of 'Louis Ghost' by Philippe Starck for Kartell

Copy of 'Romeo Moon' by Philippe Starck for Flos

Copy of 'Lem' stool by Shin and Tomoko Azumi for Lapalma

 

[emptym]

I haven't. Still need dining chairs. And a mattress. Plan to get the mattress first. Have bought a bed though!

 

[Reggs]

Originally Posted by hypersonic

Copy of 'Louis Ghost' by Philippe Starck for Kartell

I have no problems with buying repros, but I would seriously hesitate getting something like this. Who knows how strong the material they might use is? It would be a broken tailbone waiting to happen.

 

[bkk]

Originally Posted by hypersonic

Unbelievable ...how do they get away with this?


I can understand the copyright has long run out on some of the early-to-mid century items ...but how do they legally produce and sell these much more recent designs? ...they are still protected by international copyright ...aren't they?


China has a very laissez faire attitude toward copyright violations and other IP. Good luck being able to stop a manufacturer from "stealing". And while you're fighting this battle, you're just throwing money into the trash can.

 

[rsgould]

It's only stealing if the designers (or their estates) happen to own WIPO design patents for those products, which is unlikely. Even in that instance, those rarely hold up in Chinese court. The designer would have to have designs registered in China as well to really enforce any sort of intellectual property rights.

Because they call it a replica, this is pretty much legal. There are no trademarks involved.

 

[von Rothbart]

Originally Posted by freshcutgrass

The Barcelona "loveseat" is like adding insult to injury.

I think the LC3 & Florence Knoll sectionals are worse

. But here's the biggest insult, claiming Knoll is inferior to its fake:

The polished steel frame is of a very high quality at chair type, not chromed or chipping inferior materials on knoll Barcelona chairs.

 

[teddieriley]

I went to a local "modern" furniture store and picked up two of what is essentially a Saarinen side table repro with a white aluminum base and walnut veneer top. It is indeed made in China, and to my untrained eye, it looks quite nice, and it feels pretty substantial. I paid $325 for each.

After doing some web searching, I concluded I got a really good price for the repro, and I have no f'n clue why the real thing would have cost anywhere from $1100-$1300. For side tables that will be next to my bed, and at most support an alarm clock or decorative items, no way I'd pay over $1000 for side tables (and that's each).

Anyone know why a "real" Saarinen side table in marble costs about $750 while a walnut veneer has a $400-$600 mark up on top of that!? I mean sheez, it's a walnut veneer. I would have thought the marble top would have cost more.

 

[invalid_user]

Where is this local modern furniture store you speak of? Did they have any other repros?

Originally Posted by teddieriley

I went to a local "modern" furniture store and picked up two of what is essentially a Saarinen side table repro with a white aluminum base and walnut veneer top. It is indeed made in China, and to my untrained eye, it looks quite nice, and it feels pretty substantial. I paid $325 for each.

After doing some web searching, I concluded I got a really good price for the repro, and I have no f'n clue why the real thing would have cost anywhere from $1100-$1300. For side tables that will be next to my bed, and at most support an alarm clock or decorative items, no way I'd pay over $1000 for side tables (and that's each).

Anyone know why a "real" Saarinen side table in marble costs about $750 while a walnut veneer has a $400-$600 mark up on top of that!? I mean sheez, it's a walnut veneer. I would have thought the marble top would have cost more.

 

[teddieriley]

It was in San Diego called "Hold It." They distribute various vendors, including Gus Modern, and the table was through Nuevo Living. They have a range of items and a number of catalogs they can order out of. They don't specialize in repros, per se, but several of their pieces were along those lines (like non-leather Barcelona chairs for around $600 or so).

 

[emptym]

Interesting. I wonder if the source from that Yadea company I linked to. I wonder if they'd say.

 

[TaylorMADE96]

Does anyone know where an Eames Plywood Elephant chair can be found? Replica of course...

 

[Nantucket Red]

I grew up with Barcelona chairs, among other designer furniture too numerous to mention, and the repros I've seen at reputable furniture stores in Japan are pale imitations at best, with neither the dimensions nor the finish of the originals. From what I've seen, I would not pay those prices for that inferior quality.

 

[GQgeek]

You must have had an unhappy childhood, without anywhere comfortable to sit.