That Teak Sideboard Might Be Something
Mid-century modern furniture has been fashionable for long enough that most people now know the names: Eames, Knoll, Herman Miller, Hans Wegner. What fewer people know is that the real money isn't just in the famous names. It's also in authenticated examples of good design from less obvious makers, and in knowing which reproductions are worth almost nothing.
The Makers That Matter Most
At the top of the market, a few names consistently command strong prices at auction and through dealers:
- Herman Miller (Eames lounge chairs, Eames shell chairs, Nelson benches and clocks)
- Knoll (Saarinen tulip tables and chairs, Bertoia wire chairs, Barcelona chairs by Mies van der Rohe)
- Hans Wegner (the Wishbone Chair, the Papa Bear, the Ox Chair)
- Finn Juhl and Arne Jacobsen (particularly the Egg and Swan chairs)
- George Nakashima (American studio furniture, highly sought by collectors)
Below that tier, quality American and Scandinavian furniture from manufacturers like Drexel, Broyhill Brasilia, Lane, and Dux can sell well when the design is strong and the condition is good.
How to Spot an Original
Authentication starts underneath. Turn a chair over or look inside a drawer. Herman Miller used paper labels on early pieces and embossed or stamped marks on later ones. Knoll tags are typically fabric labels or metal plates. Scandinavian pieces often carry paper labels from the original retailer or exporter.
Labels can be removed and reproductions are common, so labels alone aren't conclusive. Construction quality matters too. Original shell chairs have a specific look to their fiberglass that differs from later reissues. Wegner joints are extraordinarily tight. If something feels light or plasticky in a way that seems wrong, it probably is.
The Reissue Question
Herman Miller and Knoll both produce authorized reissues of their classic designs, which are well made and not without value. But a current-production Eames lounge chair sells for around $5,000 new and somewhat less used. A 1960s original in rosewood can fetch three to four times that or more.
The gap between an original, an authorized reissue, and an unlicensed reproduction is enormous, financially. Knowing which you have requires close examination or a specialist's opinion.
Condition Is Priced In
Mid-century pieces are durable but not indestructible. A walnut sideboard with original finish is worth considerably more than the same piece refinished. Upholstery on iconic chairs affects value significantly: original fabric in good condition is ideal, period-correct reupholstery in the right material is acceptable, and cheap modern fabric tends to reduce both price and appeal to serious buyers.
Structural issues like loose joints, replaced hardware, or veneers that have lifted and been reglued all reduce value. Document condition honestly when listing.
What's Actually Common
Not every piece of teak furniture from the 1960s is valuable. Enormous amounts of mid-century Scandinavian-style furniture were produced at low price points for mass-market retailers. These pieces have appeal and will sell, but at modest prices, generally $50 to $300 depending on condition and specific design.
Before investing time in research, do a quick search on recent sold listings on eBay or 1stDibs. If similar pieces consistently sell in the low hundreds, price accordingly and move on. If you see wide variation or high prices with no clear explanation, that's a signal to look more carefully.
A photo-based tool like Tappraise can help you get a fast read on what something might be and what comparable pieces have sold for, which is usually enough to decide whether deeper research is warranted.