Original vs reproduction
Panton Chair
The first single-piece cantilevered plastic chair to reach production, with Vitra and Herman Miller in 1967. Material and producer changed several times across its history.
| Designer | Verner Panton |
|---|---|
| Year | 1967 |
| Authorized makers | VitraHerman Miller |
What it costs today
All listings →Original / VintageSample
Vintage original
$1,340
delivered · $1,100 + $240 ship
- Period
- 1990s
- Authenticity
- High — marks described
- Condition
- very good
- Shipping
- 6–10 days
- Source
- eBay (sample)
Sample
New authorized production
$440
delivered · $395 + $45 ship
- Period
- Current production
- Authenticity
- Authorized production
- Condition
- new
- Shipping
- 7–12 days
- Source
- Manufacturer (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 | Vintage: fiberglass or thermoplastic; current: polypropylene or lacquered foam. |
|---|---|
| Construction | Single molded piece; stress cracks at the base are the vintage weak point. |
| Dimensions | Stable across authorized production. |
| Warranty | Vitra warranty on new. |
| Provenance | Molded marks date the production run. |
| Finish | Vintage colors fade; lacquered versions show chips. |
| Expected longevity | Polypropylene versions are suitable outdoors. |
| Price | Early fiberglass examples are collectible; later plastic ones are affordable. |
How to recognize an authentic example
- Molded manufacturer marks on the underside
- Vintage examples in fiberglass or Luran-S; current Vitra versions in polypropylene or lacquered rigid foam
- Continuous S-profile with no seams
What reproductions usually change
Copies often have a thicker profile, flex excessively, or carry no molded marks.