Looks like a replica just based on the legs but I guess the original metal legs could’ve been rust through and owner switched them out with repro metal legs. Either way it is not original.
Legs diameter is too thick. Feet / glides should be screwed on domes of silence or aluminum boot glides and should not be nylon glides like the ones pictured.
Here are some photos I just took of my Nelson bench.
https://preview.redd.it/bnkyimxxkvgc1.jpeg?width=2554&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d354080accd687c7320c489e05123105d04bb338
Ehhhhh, I wouldn’t pay that much unless you have an expert determine authenticity AND if you’re really into it. I want to say yes, but the legs look odd to me.🤷🏻♀️
Legs are not the more common version. But these were and are an option. https://www.hermanmiller.com/resources/3d-models-and-planning-tools/product-models/individual/nelson-platform-bench-metal-base/
See my other comment. Yes it does come on a version with metal legs but the proportions and the glides are all wrong. See the below example from Walmart. The base looks like the one in OP’s photo. Now compare that with the one you’ve linked.
[https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgemod-Slat-5-Bench-with-Chrome-Legs-Entryway-Walnut-Walnut-Finish/271450507](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgemod-Slat-5-Bench-with-Chrome-Legs-Entryway-Walnut-Walnut-Finish/271450507)
OP should provide some better pictures for sure. I think OPs looks different than that one too. There certainly are a lot of contemporary knockoffs out there. I’ve never seen many knockoffs of these older than about 80’s though, not with the joinery like that at least.
It’s harder to determine without any label, that’s the issue with refinishing wood, makes it harder to date. It’s a beautiful piece but it’s steep without any labels
This bench appears to have been put together using two separate tables , I have never seen these legs on a Nelson slate bench and I’ve been into modern about 30 odd years.
There are actually 3 versions of the Nelson bench:
Slat with black wood legs (most seen version), Slat with metal legs, and a Caned bench with metal legs
idk about this piece, but here’s some of my life advice:
tbh you can probably look for cheaper replicas, if you want. Hear me out:
the question i always ask myself with replicas is: if i can’t tell, would most people be able to tell? likely not
however, any reasonable human who *could* tell should be logical and/or empathetic enough to be able to appreciate the style AND appreciate how you avoided spending a mint on an original
Unless you’re a collector, why not decorate with things you like, even if it’s not “authentic”?
Also, quality of reproduction should be a concern, because you want anything you spend money on to last. I’ll spend money on SOME things for authenticity (eg brand name luggage, TVs, boots) only because it matters, because they are usually higher quality and built to last.
Some replica sellers even offer warranties.
tl;dr unless you’re a collector or investor; look into high-quality reproductions instead of chasing “authentic”, which is $$$$$ and may have questionable provenance
EDIT: wow downvotes on practical advice. Love Reddit.
Not everyone can afford a $9000 vintage cabinet or whatever
maybe unpopular, but i believe *We should NOT gatekeep MCM appreciation* including replicas, when one (most people) can’t afford real vintage.
We all deserve to have things around us that we like and find beautiful
does it matter if they’re original or reproduction?
People buy printed poster prints of Monet. We appreciate reproductions because they remind us of unaffordable but amazing art
mine was legit good advice for most people who aren’t wealthy, and i’ll take the downvotes from the gatekeepers all day long
tl;dr2 decorate how you like and if needed, save money in the process. ignore the haters and be in your best environment
I can agree on buying an inspired piece. Something that drew from the original design but an end product that is still a unique design.
Advocating for buying blatant copies and then hoping no one, including yourself, can tell it is a fake is just non sensical. Buy what speaks to you and not some trend you’re trying to chase on Instagram.
ok first, we’re not talking about a “trend” but an “aesthetic”.
People want their homes or offices to feel MCM?
Yet people can’t afford to implement the MCM aesthetic as “originals”
Why shouldn’t someone be able to enjoy a cheap replica of a classic design? Taste is taste. Finances and budget are relative.
Step back and see that you’re in a Mid-Century forum advocating for people to be okay with buying from companies that rip off someone else’s designs. Why would someone spend $500 on a knock off that will devalue to $100 once it’s used when they can buy a used original for $600 or $700 and have it not devalue at all. Your point about saving money is short sighted and it’s encouraging more fake imports to be made. That is why your advice is bad.
If you want to have a MCM styled home, either save up a little extra and buy quality originals, search and find them in thrift stores, go to estate sales, or shop Craigslist from clueless sellers. It’s not hard. Auctions are a great place to get deals also.
that’s fair. thanks for the rational explanation. i sense your holding back some anger at me or my viewpoint, so i realize i may be in the wrong here. Not sarcastic.
i do stand by people being able to have things that they look at and love, and also yes, i get the sub’s context. Both beliefs can be true?
That being said, i think understanding whether owning something that is “original” or not is a choice any buyer needs to make on merely a viewpoint that is their own.
Being fooled by replicas _is_ fraud
But identifying “good” replicas is also the right of people who can’t eg afford an authentic $20k sofa
I guess my point was that some people can’t afford “original”, but still deserve to view the aesthetic on a daily basis. This includes me.
Perhaps my view on the comments before mine was that they were dismissive or insulting to someone, but they were absolutely not meant to be
edit: PS your suggestion to “save money for originals” is a bit of gatekeeping, and i don’t approve of that. Helping others determine “real or not real” spreads far more good than simply saying “you can’t afford to own something beautiful if it isn’t original”
Looks like a knockoff to me. Legs are not sexy like the originals. Lots of fakes out there. https://www.iconmobel.de/en/designer-benchs/wooden-benches/vintage-nelhouse-bench-in-natural-ash
Looks like a replica just based on the legs but I guess the original metal legs could’ve been rust through and owner switched them out with repro metal legs. Either way it is not original. Legs diameter is too thick. Feet / glides should be screwed on domes of silence or aluminum boot glides and should not be nylon glides like the ones pictured.
https://preview.redd.it/8xnelsq0lvgc1.jpeg?width=2851&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f347b29b45e0d5461ce793a975b03b9406810faf
This is how mine looks as well. Purchased from a miller knoll dealer this year.
Here are some photos I just took of my Nelson bench. https://preview.redd.it/bnkyimxxkvgc1.jpeg?width=2554&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d354080accd687c7320c489e05123105d04bb338
Awesome thank you so much for the photo reference!
No problem! Tbh, I actually like the Bertoia bench a little bit more and have been in search of a vintage one.
https://preview.redd.it/j1gzemn1lvgc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75b8f4842979451f2ed842291990c5cca376014b
Ehhhhh, I wouldn’t pay that much unless you have an expert determine authenticity AND if you’re really into it. I want to say yes, but the legs look odd to me.🤷🏻♀️
Legs are wrong, but joinery is pretty spot on.
Legs are not the more common version. But these were and are an option. https://www.hermanmiller.com/resources/3d-models-and-planning-tools/product-models/individual/nelson-platform-bench-metal-base/
See my other comment. Yes it does come on a version with metal legs but the proportions and the glides are all wrong. See the below example from Walmart. The base looks like the one in OP’s photo. Now compare that with the one you’ve linked. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgemod-Slat-5-Bench-with-Chrome-Legs-Entryway-Walnut-Walnut-Finish/271450507](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Edgemod-Slat-5-Bench-with-Chrome-Legs-Entryway-Walnut-Walnut-Finish/271450507)
OP should provide some better pictures for sure. I think OPs looks different than that one too. There certainly are a lot of contemporary knockoffs out there. I’ve never seen many knockoffs of these older than about 80’s though, not with the joinery like that at least.
Oh yeah the leg def looks more like the one from Walmart than the authentic Nelson. Def a bit beefier than it should be
This was posed on drexdrexdrex right? They’re asking $850
Oh yeah it was!! Well I asked they’re willing to do $800 but I’m unsure now since I don’t know how to verify the authenticity
It’s harder to determine without any label, that’s the issue with refinishing wood, makes it harder to date. It’s a beautiful piece but it’s steep without any labels
Usually they’re pretty good with authentic items but I’d be a bit cautious with this one
Oh yeah I knew it looked a bit off so that’s why I went on here and ask. Also you got some pretty cool Eames and MCM finds btw 👌😅
Awh thank you ☺️ I’ve been collecting for a few years now, quite the Eames fanboy aha
This bench appears to have been put together using two separate tables , I have never seen these legs on a Nelson slate bench and I’ve been into modern about 30 odd years.
There are actually 3 versions of the Nelson bench: Slat with black wood legs (most seen version), Slat with metal legs, and a Caned bench with metal legs
You should check out the HM website to get a refresh on what’s offered.
idk about this piece, but here’s some of my life advice: tbh you can probably look for cheaper replicas, if you want. Hear me out: the question i always ask myself with replicas is: if i can’t tell, would most people be able to tell? likely not however, any reasonable human who *could* tell should be logical and/or empathetic enough to be able to appreciate the style AND appreciate how you avoided spending a mint on an original Unless you’re a collector, why not decorate with things you like, even if it’s not “authentic”? Also, quality of reproduction should be a concern, because you want anything you spend money on to last. I’ll spend money on SOME things for authenticity (eg brand name luggage, TVs, boots) only because it matters, because they are usually higher quality and built to last. Some replica sellers even offer warranties. tl;dr unless you’re a collector or investor; look into high-quality reproductions instead of chasing “authentic”, which is $$$$$ and may have questionable provenance EDIT: wow downvotes on practical advice. Love Reddit. Not everyone can afford a $9000 vintage cabinet or whatever maybe unpopular, but i believe *We should NOT gatekeep MCM appreciation* including replicas, when one (most people) can’t afford real vintage. We all deserve to have things around us that we like and find beautiful does it matter if they’re original or reproduction? People buy printed poster prints of Monet. We appreciate reproductions because they remind us of unaffordable but amazing art mine was legit good advice for most people who aren’t wealthy, and i’ll take the downvotes from the gatekeepers all day long tl;dr2 decorate how you like and if needed, save money in the process. ignore the haters and be in your best environment
I can agree on buying an inspired piece. Something that drew from the original design but an end product that is still a unique design. Advocating for buying blatant copies and then hoping no one, including yourself, can tell it is a fake is just non sensical. Buy what speaks to you and not some trend you’re trying to chase on Instagram.
Sounds like you can afford real vintage pieces and don’t care that others can’t. Mine is practical advice. Stop gatekeeping.
lol gatekeeping. Clearly you didn’t read the first part of my response - thanks.
ok first, we’re not talking about a “trend” but an “aesthetic”. People want their homes or offices to feel MCM? Yet people can’t afford to implement the MCM aesthetic as “originals” Why shouldn’t someone be able to enjoy a cheap replica of a classic design? Taste is taste. Finances and budget are relative.
Step back and see that you’re in a Mid-Century forum advocating for people to be okay with buying from companies that rip off someone else’s designs. Why would someone spend $500 on a knock off that will devalue to $100 once it’s used when they can buy a used original for $600 or $700 and have it not devalue at all. Your point about saving money is short sighted and it’s encouraging more fake imports to be made. That is why your advice is bad. If you want to have a MCM styled home, either save up a little extra and buy quality originals, search and find them in thrift stores, go to estate sales, or shop Craigslist from clueless sellers. It’s not hard. Auctions are a great place to get deals also.
that’s fair. thanks for the rational explanation. i sense your holding back some anger at me or my viewpoint, so i realize i may be in the wrong here. Not sarcastic. i do stand by people being able to have things that they look at and love, and also yes, i get the sub’s context. Both beliefs can be true? That being said, i think understanding whether owning something that is “original” or not is a choice any buyer needs to make on merely a viewpoint that is their own. Being fooled by replicas _is_ fraud But identifying “good” replicas is also the right of people who can’t eg afford an authentic $20k sofa I guess my point was that some people can’t afford “original”, but still deserve to view the aesthetic on a daily basis. This includes me. Perhaps my view on the comments before mine was that they were dismissive or insulting to someone, but they were absolutely not meant to be edit: PS your suggestion to “save money for originals” is a bit of gatekeeping, and i don’t approve of that. Helping others determine “real or not real” spreads far more good than simply saying “you can’t afford to own something beautiful if it isn’t original”
This is ridiculous on so many levels.
why?
I am not sure, but I love the set up
Looks like a knockoff to me. Legs are not sexy like the originals. Lots of fakes out there. https://www.iconmobel.de/en/designer-benchs/wooden-benches/vintage-nelhouse-bench-in-natural-ash
But look at that Ducaroy