Vitra.

Vitra

Vitra is the Swiss-German editor that has held since 1957 exclusive European rights to Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson pieces, and has expanded its catalogue to Verner Panton, Jean Prouvé, Antonio Citterio, and Jasper Morrison. The house operates from Weil am Rhein, Germany, immediately adjacent to the Swiss border, where it also built the Vitra Campus, an architectural park signed by Frank Gehry, Tadao Ando, and Zaha Hadid. LAPIERRE sources and authenticates primarily Vitra pieces from productions of the 1960s to 2000s.

Brand history

Vitra was founded in 1950 by Willi Fehlbaum in Birsfelden, Switzerland, originally specialising in retail furniture and commercial fitouts. The major turning point came in 1957, when Willi Fehlbaum obtained from the Eameses themselves, during a US study trip, the exclusive European licence to produce and distribute Eames and George Nelson pieces. Herman Miller retained American and Asian rights. This territorial arrangement, sealed by direct agreement between designers and editors, has structured the global Eames market for over sixty years.

Under the leadership of Rolf Fehlbaum, Willi's son, from the 1970s, Vitra expanded its catalogue. The Panton Chair, designed by Verner Panton between 1959 and 1967 and industrialised by Vitra in 1968, became an immediate icon. Mario Bellini, Antonio Citterio, and Jasper Morrison joined the contemporary catalogue. The house moved its headquarters to Weil am Rhein, Germany, where it developed the Vitra Campus, an architectural park open to the public, including the Vitra Design Museum (Frank Gehry, 1989), Zaha Hadid's fire station, and Tadao Ando's conference pavilion.

In 2002, Vitra obtained exclusive rights to reissue Jean Prouvé furniture, establishing another patrimonial pillar of the catalogue. More recently, the house has edited Hella Jongerius, Konstantin Grcic, the Bouroullec brothers, and several other contemporary designers. The Vitra Home Collection also structures the residential offer. Production remains concentrated in Europe (Germany, Czech Republic), and the house remains independent under Fehlbaum family ownership.

Signature pieces we source

Eames Plastic Chair (Charles and Ray Eames, 1948-1950 — Vitra Europe edition). Polypropylene shell (originally fibreglass) on DSW (dowel base), DSR (Eiffel base), DAW (dowel armchair), DAR (Eiffel armchair) bases. Signature piece, present in the catalogue in multiple colours and base finishes.

Lounge Chair and Ottoman (Charles and Ray Eames, 1956 — Vitra Europe edition). Armchair in moulded plywood (Brazilian rosewood originally, Santos rosewood, then American walnut) and full-grain button-tufted leather, on five-star aluminium base. Major signature piece of the house and the 20th century.

Aluminum Group and Soft Pad (Charles and Ray Eames, 1958 and 1969 — Vitra edition). Office and dining chairs in polished cast aluminium, leather or fabric upholstery, swivel structure. Aluminum Group EA 117, 119, 217; Soft Pad EA 219, 222 in executive versions.

Panton Chair (Verner Panton, 1959-1967 — Vitra edition 1968). First commercialised injection-moulded plastic monobloc chair. Designed by Panton 1959-1967, industrialised by Vitra from 1968. Sought after in white, red, black, orange.

Nelson Bubble suspensions (George Nelson, 1947 — Vitra Europe edition). Suspensions with stretched-plastic shade on metal structure. Several shapes (Saucer, Ball, Cigar, Pear). Nelson signature piece, edited by Vitra for Europe.

Prouvé furniture edited by Vitra (Jean Prouvé, 1934-1956 — Vitra reissues from 2002). Standard Chair, EM chair, Compas and Cité desks, Solvay stool. Vitra reissues are identified by Vitra marking. Genuinely vintage pieces (Ateliers Jean Prouvé, Steph Simon) do not carry this marking.

Authenticating an original

Authentication of a Vitra piece rests on combined markings. Vitra labels: glued or sewn depending on era and piece, mentioning the designer (Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, Verner Panton, Jean Prouvé). Label colours and typography evolve by decade. Hot stamp: under the seat on old Eames Plastic Chairs, mentioning Vitra Made in Germany or Made in Switzerland depending on period. Metal plaque: screwed on recent pieces, indicating Vitra, designer, and year. Serial number: engraved on Lounge Chair structure and premium pieces. Material consistency: moulded polypropylene for recent Plastic Chairs, fibreglass for old productions, moulded rosewood or walnut plywood for Lounge, full-grain button-tufted leather. Unlicensed copies (notably Eames Style) are distinguished by absent or false markings, less dense plastics, lower-quality plywood, synthetic leather. Vitra Europe / Herman Miller America distinction also helps identify origin.

LAPIERRE process for this brand

Each incoming Vitra piece is inspected for markings, plastic shell, plywood, leather, and base condition, structural integrity, and dimensional consistency with the Vitra standard. Lounge Chairs are checked for plywood (species, condition), leather, aluminium feet, and fixing screws. Plastic Chairs are checked for hot stamp, shell, and base. Pantons are tested for shell rigidity and absence of cracks at the elbow. Pieces without clear marking or with non-standard dimensions are refused. For sold pieces, LAPIERRE can offer leather restoration or Eames base swap upon request.

Request a search

A specific Vitra piece (Lounge Chair, Plastic Chair, Aluminum Group, Panton Chair) in a particular colour, base finish, or condition not currently in selection? Write to LAPIERRE with the brief: model, finish, leather or plastic colour, desired condition. Our team activates its European sourcing network. Response within a few days with availability and quote.