With popularity and recognition comes imitation. To make sure you are buying a high-quality original rather than a reproduction, learn more about identifying a genuine Barcelona Chair with these steps. Since the limited production chairs made early on rarely surface for sale, most modernism fans look for those made since the 1950s. Knoll International (the name of the company since 1969) is still producing the “less is more” Barcelona chair today. The company aptly refers to it as “a tribute to the marriage of design and craftsmanship. To begin the examination of a Barcelona Chair, look for Knoll characteristics. Start with the back cushion. This cushion should be a bit taller than the steel frame it rests against and slightly curved to fit the back. The cushions have always been made with high-quality fillers that hold their shape over time. A saggy chair is a sign of a lesser copycat. There are also two separate cushions making up the back and seat. They are made of 40 pieces of leather that are hand-manipulated, including the rolling, tufting, and finishing with matching leather-covered buttons. This attention to detail and use of high-quality materials is evident in every chair manufactured by Knoll. This chair style has been made in numerous colors, but black leather is undoubtedly the most ubiquitous. Most midcentury modern design enthusiasts purport the very best chairs in this style have been made by Knoll since the early 1950s. These are looked upon as “genuine” or “originals” by modernism connoisseurs. So, for most people, confirmation that Knoll made the chair constitutes authenticity whether new or old. Many times a Knoll identifier, whether a sticker or label sewn in place, can be found on the bottom cushion of a vintage chair (the Knoll International name was used after 1969). A “Knoll Studios” mark stamped in the frame with Mies’ signature is found on chairs made since 1996. In addition to looking for a Knoll mark or labels (which may have been removed from older chairs), take care to look at the other attributes mentioned here for further authentication. The very first Barcelona Chairs were made with a chrome frame. The style was redesigned by Mies in 1950 using highly polished stainless steel to offer consumers a sleeker appearance. Widely used in both office and home settings, along with the matching ottoman, a lookalike chair may suffice for some. But this type of construction is part of the high quality that ardent modernism fans gladly pay big bucks to own whether buying a vintage or new version of this classic Mies style.
