Original vs reproduction
Noguchi Coffee Table
Two identical interlocking wood base pieces and a pivot rod support a free-form glass top. Produced by Herman Miller from 1947 and reissued in 1984.
| Designer | Isamu Noguchi |
|---|---|
| Year | 1947 |
| Authorized makers | Herman MillerVitra |
What it costs today
All listings →Original / VintageSample
Vintage original
$1,740
delivered · $1,350 + $390 ship
- Period
- c. 1986
- Authenticity
- High — marks described
- Condition
- very good
- Shipping
- 8–14 days
- Source
- eBay (sample)
Reproduction / NewSample
Reproduction
$399
delivered · $399 + $0 ship
- Period
- Current production
- Authenticity
- Reproduction
- Condition
- new
- Shipping
- 4–7 days
- Source
- Reproduction retailer (sample)
The practical differences
A reproduction is not an original and is not equivalent to one. It can still be the right purchase — just know what you're buying.
| Materials | Authentic: solid hardwood base, thick plate glass. |
|---|---|
| Construction | Pivot-rod joinery lets the two base halves self-balance under the glass. |
| Dimensions | Published at roughly 50 × 36 inches. Replicas are often smaller. |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty on new only. |
| Provenance | Marks and etchings; vintage glass may lack them. |
| Finish | Walnut and ebonized finishes; original finishes age warmly. |
| Expected longevity | Very durable; glass is the risk in shipping. |
| Price | Glass weight makes shipping expensive; local pickup often wins. |
How to recognize an authentic example
- Two identical base pieces joined by a pivot rod
- Thick, free-form glass top with a polished edge
- Herman Miller mark on the base or a glass etching on later production
What reproductions usually change
Reproductions often use thinner glass, one-piece or doweled bases and softwood with stain.