Every Piece, Authenticated

In a world of reproductions and misattributions, we stake our reputation on one promise: what we say it is, it is.

Our Guarantee:

Every piece in our collection is an original vintage design by the designer stated in the description. If we cannot verify authenticity with certainty, we don't sell it.

WHY AUTHENTICATION MATTERS

The mid-century modern market is flooded with reproductions, misattributions, and dupes. What looks like an Eames chair might be a Chinese reproduction. That "Wegner" Papa Bear chair could be an unmarked imitation. Without proper authentication, collectors risk paying high prices for a copy.

The Challenges Facing Collectors:

Modern authorized reproductions can be beautiful—but they're not vintage. They lack the patina, original materials, and historical weight of period pieces. A brand-new Herman Miller Eames lounge chair is a fine piece of furniture, but it's not a 1956 original. Vintage pieces hold their value and often increase in value with time.

Misattributions
A chair "in the style of" Hans Wegner is not a Hans Wegner. Even experienced dealers sometimes misattribute pieces based on superficial similarities. We've seen countless "Wegner-style" chairs that share his aesthetic but lack his craftsmanship, provenance, and value.

Unmarked Knockoffs
Many vintage-era manufacturers produced unauthorized copies of famous designs. These pieces are genuinely old—50, 60, even 70 years—but they're not authentic designer work. Age alone doesn't equal authenticity.

Our Commitment:

We've spent decades studying these designs, their makers, and their manufacturing histories. We won't sell you a piece unless we're certain of its provenance and authenticity. If there's doubt, we either investigate further or pass entirely.

OUR AUTHENTICATION PROCESS

Authentication isn't a single moment—it's a methodical investigation. Every piece that enters our collection undergoes rigorous examination using multiple verification methods. Here's how we authenticate:

1. Visual Form & Proportions

Every designer has a signature vocabulary of curves, angles, and proportions. We examine the overall silhouette and compare it to documented examples from museum collections, original catalogs, and archival photographs.

Reproductions often get subtle details wrong—a curve that's too broad, a leg that's thicker, joinery that doesn't match the original technique. After years of studying authentic pieces, these discrepancies become immediately visible to the trained eye.

What we look for:

Signature curves and angles specific to the designer
Proportional relationships between components
Visual weight and balance
Design elements that define the piece's identity

2. Precise Dimensions

We measure every dimension—height, width, depth, seat height, arm height, leg diameter—and cross-reference against original manufacturer specifications, catalog records, and museum examples.

Original manufacturers often worked to exacting specifications, and deviations usually indicate reproduction or modification.

Our process:

Measure all major dimensions
Compare against documented specifications
Verify proportional relationships
Flag any discrepancies for further investigation

3. Manufacturer Labels & Marks

Original labels, stamps, and branded hardware are primary evidence—but not foolproof. We know which labels correspond to which production periods, how legitimate labels age, and which marks are frequently forged.

We also understand that many authentic pieces have lost their labels over decades of use. The absence of a label doesn't disqualify a piece, but it means we rely more heavily on other authentication methods.

What we examine:

Label typography, materials, and placement
Aging patterns and adhesive deterioration
Branded hardware and stamps
Production codes and date marks
Known label variations across production years

4. Construction Details

The devil is in the details. We examine every aspect of how a piece was built, because construction methods reveal authenticity more reliably than almost any other factor.

We scrutinize:

Joinery methods: Dovetails, mortise-and-tenon, finger joints, and how they're executed
Hardware types and placement: Screw styles, bolt patterns, bracket designs
Screw head styles: Phillips, flathead, and whether they show appropriate age
Glue types and application: Period-appropriate adhesives vs. modern formulations
Underside finishing: Tool marks, saw patterns, and surface treatment
Edge details: How edges are shaped, finished, and where they show wear

5. Wood Species & Character

We identify wood species and verify they match the documented materials for that designer, manufacturer, and period. We also examine grain patterns, color variation, and figure—characteristics indicating old growth wood.

What we verify:

Species identification (teak, walnut, rosewood, oak, etc.)
Old grain patterns typical of period sourcing
Color and figure characteristics
Secondary woods used in hidden areas
Whether wood matches documented production materials

6. Patina & Aging Patterns

Authentic vintage furniture ages in predictable, specific ways. We look for appropriate wear patterns on armrests where hands naturally rest, fading from decades of UV

exposure, oxidation of metal components and natural wood movement,.

We examine:

Wear patterns in high-contact areas
UV fading on surfaces exposed to light
Oxidation and patina on metal components
Natural wood movement and seasonal cracking
Dirt accumulation in crevices and joints
Whether wear patterns make sense for the piece's function

7. Archival Research

We maintain an extensive reference library and actively research every piece:

Our resources include:

Original manufacturer catalogs from the 1940s-1970s
Designer monographs and archives with production documentation
Museum collection databases with authenticated pieces
Period publications including trade journals and design magazines
Factory records when available through estates or archives

If a detail doesn't appear in the historical record, we investigate further. If a piece exhibits characteristics inconsistent with documented production, we don't sell it—regardless of how appealing it might be.

8. Expert Consultation

For particularly rare or ambiguous pieces, we consult with specialists, museum curators, and researchers who've devoted their careers to specific designers or periods.

Authentication is a community effort. We're part of a network of experts who share knowledge, compare notes, and help each other make accurate determinations. When we're uncertain, we ask. And when other experts need a second opinion, we contribute.

Our network includes:

Museum curators specializing in mid-century design
Designer estate representatives and family members
Fellow dealers with deep expertise in specific makers
Conservators who understand period materials and techniques
Academic researchers publishing on design history

WHY TRUST US?

Authentication expertise isn't learned overnight. It's built through years of handling thousands of pieces, studying design history, making mistakes, and developing an eye for details that separate authentic from reproduction.

Our team has spent decades in the trenches of mid-century modern furniture—not just selling it, but restoring it, researching it, and living with it. We've examined pieces in museum collections, studied original factory records, and built relationships with designers' families and estates.

We've also made our share of errors early on, which taught us to be more rigorous, more skeptical, and more committed to verification before claims. Every mistake became a lesson that sharpened our process.

Our experience:

20+ years specializing in mid-century modern furniture
3,000+ pieces authenticated and sold
Extensive restoration experience revealing construction details
Deep relationships with museum curators and design historians
Continuous research and education on designers and manufacturers

DOCUMENTATION & GUARANTEES

For Every Piece We Sell:

We provide clear attribution in our item descriptions, including:

Designer name
Manufacturer (when known)
Approximate production period
Materials and construction details
Condition notes

Letter of Authenticity (Available Upon Request):

For rare, high-value, or unlabeled pieces, we're happy to provide a formal Letter of Authenticity on Hobbs Modern letterhead. This document includes:

Detailed description of the piece
Designer and manufacturer attribution
Specific authentication methods used
Relevant measurements and details
Condition assessment
Known provenance or history
Our professional assessment and guarantee

This documentation is particularly valuable for:

Insurance purposes
Estate planning
Future resale
Collection documentation
Pieces lacking original manufacturer labels

Our Standing Guarantee:

We've been in business for over two decades, and our reputation is built on this guarantee. We'd rather lose a sale than compromise our integrity.

WHEN WE'RE NOT CERTAIN

Here's what sets us apart: we're willing to say "we don't know."

If a piece exhibits some characteristics of a known designer but lacks definitive proof, we don't make the attribution. We'll describe it as:

"In the manner of [designer]"
"Attributed to [maker], period correct but unmarked"
"Danish modern, maker unknown"
"Style characteristics consistent with [designer's] work, but authentication inconclusive"

We'd rather be honest about uncertainty than overstate provenance. Our clients trust us because we're transparent about what we know and what we're inferring.

QUESTIONS ABOUT AUTHENTICITY?

We welcome questions about any piece in our collection. Whether you're curious about our attribution process, want to understand specific details, or need additional documentation, we're here to help.

We Can Assist With:

Detailed authentication explanations for specific pieces
Letters of Authenticity for insurance or resale
Second opinions on pieces you're considering from other sources (yes, really—we'd rather help you avoid a mistake)
Educational questions about designers, manufacturers, and periods
Restoration advice that preserves authenticity

Contact Us:

Nicole Hobbs
📞 (619) 300-3551
📧 nicole@hobbsmodern.com

Authentication is our passion, and we're always happy to discuss the fascinating details that make vintage mid-century furniture so compelling.

THE BOTTOM LINE

You're not just buying furniture—you're investing in design history. Every piece has a story, and part of our job is making sure that story is true.

We authenticate rigorously because you deserve to know exactly what you're purchasing. Because the difference between an authentic Wegner and a skillful copy is thousands of dollars. Because preserving accurate design history matters. And because our reputation depends on getting it right.

When you buy from Hobbs Modern, you're buying certainty.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Interested in learning more about authentication and mid-century design? We recommend:

Visiting museum collections (LACMA, MoMA, Designmuseum Danmark) to see authenticated examples
Reading designer monographs with production documentation
Examining authentic pieces in person whenever possible—nothing replaces hands-on experience
Asking questions—good dealers welcome inquiry and are eager to share knowledge

The more you learn, the more you'll appreciate the craft, history, and authenticity of these extraordinary designs.

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