Carousell Furniture: 10 Secondhand designer furniture bargains!

Carousell is an online marketplace well-loved by Singaporeans to buy and sell items, both brand new and second-hand. The great thing about buying from Carousell is not having to pay additional GST charges. Plus, you do sometimes find designer furniture pieces at a steal.

Of course, there’s always a bit of risk when it comes to buying second-hand designer furniture. Like most designer bags and accessories, iconic designer furniture pieces are often copied and made into dupes or “replicas”. Honest sellers list their knockoff items as ‘inspired’ or ‘replica’ pieces, but it takes a seasoned collector to look out for the right hallmarks when ensuring the authenticity of designer furniture.

To help you cut down your search, we’ve sieved through Carousell to pick out the listings for these designer furniture that comes with some proof of authenticity. That said, exercise caution if you are going to contact the seller. Caveat emptor!

Vitra Panton Chair by Verner Panton

$250 (new ones retail at $550)

An award-winning and all-time classic, this Panton chair is designed and named after Verner Panton in 1959. It was the first all-plastic chair made in a single continuous piece. The Panton chair is stackable, and was inspired by a neatly stacked pile of plastic buckets.

Why Buy: Seller has 2 colour options of black and white Panton chairs readily available.
Legit Check: Ensure both the Verner Panton signature and Vitra embossing are visible on the underside of the chair.
Take Note: Look out for any signs of crack or discolouration, as these flaws cannot be repaired.
Condition: Well used

Vitra Cone Chair by Verner Panton

$1,600 (retailing at $4,900 approx)

Originally designed by Verner Panton for a Danish restaurant in 1958, the Cone chair resembles the classic cone shape. Mounted on an elegant stainless steel swivel base, the Cone chair comes with a padded shell and circular cushioned seat.

Why Buy: Seller has a good range of designer pieces listed for you to shop around for more.
Legit Check: Look out for the original Vitra label.
Take Note: All four foot plastic pads should be in place and the chair shouldn’t wobble despite its slender connecting point to the base.
Condition: New

Fritz Hansen Grand Prix 3130 Chair by Arne Jacobsen

$500 (retailing at $890)

A stackable chair with graphic edge, the Grand Prix chair was designed by Arne Jacobsen, a Danish architect and designer, in 1957. The classic chair comes with a plywood seat on chromed tubular steel legs.

Why Buy: Seller included the Greenguard Gold Certificate, which comes with every authentic chair.
Legit Check: Ensure Fritz Hansen authenticity sticker is intact.
Take Note: Seat should be free from chips or dents. The rubber stoppers, if worn out, can be replaced relatively easily.
Condition: Like new

Fritz Hansen Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen

$5,500 for a pair (retailing at $5,600 approx)

Designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1958 for a royal hotel in Copenhagen, the Swan chair is a lounge chair with organic and soft curves that resembles a swan when viewed from the side profile.

Why Buy: Seller seems reliable, with a lot of positive feedback from other buyers. “Very friendly guy who really takes care of his items well…”, a 5-star review from one of the buyers.
Legit Check: Make sure the original Fritz Hansen label and stickers are in place.
Take Note: The fabric upholstery wraps around the chair tightly, without any ruching or creasing around the curves.
Condition: Used

Knoll The Chair by Hans J. Wegner

$3,500 (auction prices for vintage pieces have hit $8,000 for set of two)

Hans J. Wegner, a renowned furniture designer for his masterful chair creations, designed the iconic ‘The Chair’ for Johannes Hansen in the 1950s. The Knoll Chair earned its name after it was selected for use in the US televised presidential debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

Why Buy: A vintage furniture piece from the 1970s, and not a reproduction item. This means it will retain a certain level of resale value should you wish to offload it in future.
Legit Check: The Johannes Hansen burnt mark and Knoll label should be visible from the underside of the chair.
Take Note: Seller has included images of repair marks made to the chair.
Condition: Used

Driade Ed Archer Chair by Philippe Starck

$1,300 each (retailing at $6,070 approx)

A polished metal shark-finned back leg with full leather dress, the Ed Archer chair was first designed in 1987 by Philippe Stark, a French designer and architect, well-known for his bold and provocative designs.

Why Buy: Seller has a total of six showroom display pieces of the Ed Archer chair (2022 discontinued model) for sale.
Legit Check: Aleph by Starck label should be visible towards the bottom of the chair.
Take Note: There are noticeable leather scratch marks, with varying conditions for each chair.
Condition: Well used

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Charles and Ray Eames

$5,000 (retailing at $10,700 approx)

One of the most significant furniture design pieces around, the Eames Lounge Chair was designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller and released in 1956. Taking inspiration from the traditional English club chair, the Eames Lounge Chair is an icon of modern style design.

Why Buy: Probably one of the most classic pieces of furniture today, you’ll often see it being used in shows and movie-settings. It’s also one of those ‘must-have’ items in a homeowner’s list as a mark of being a discerning design lover.
Legit Check: Original Herman Miller sticker should be intact on the underside.
Take Note: Seller is relatively new to Carousell and does not have any ratings or review to show reliability.
Condition: Well used

Kartell Magazine Rack by Giotto Stoppino

$120 (retailing at $310)

Designed in a step-like arrangement with four pockets, the Kartell magazine rack was designed by Giotto Stoppino.

Why Buy: Seller has listed this magazine rack from a year ago, and has reduced the price from $135 to $120, you may even want to negotiate further.
Legit Check: The 1970s vintage piece comes with embossed Kartell text at the bottom.
Take Note: Scratches and scuffs may be quite obvious.
Condition: Like new

Akari 3X Table Lamp by Isamu Noguchi

$430 (retailing at $484)

A modern interpretation of Japanese paper lanterns, the Akari 3X Table Lamp is part of Isamu Noguchi’s Akari Light Sculptures, first designed in 1951. It’s made up of bamboo ribbing and washi paper through the handcraft method.

Why Buy: Buying it brand new in box, gives you a peace of mind about the state of the item.
Legit Check: The packaging box should come with the original Akari labels and documentations.
Take Note: Negotiate and ask for a cheaper price, since the retail price also has marked down their prices.
Condition: Brand new

Vitra Eames Elephant by Charles and Ray Eames

$400 (retailing at $438)

Originally designed in plywood material, Charles and Ray Eames designed the Eames Elephant in 1945, although it was only mass produced and launched it in plastic in recent years, as the Eames Elephant is intended for children’s use.

Why Buy: If you stay in Woodlands and really want to get the Eames Elephant for your child.
Legit Check: Ensure the original Vitra tags are given.
Take Note: Eames Elephant come in small and large, make sure that the dimensions are correct.
Condition: Brand new