Special Pedestal Occasional Coffee Table No. 5452, George Nelson, Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 16.54 in (42 cm)Diameter: 27.96 in (71 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Frankfurt am Main, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9031235583762
George Nelson
Architect, designer, and writer George Nelson was a central figure in the mid-century American modernist design movement; and his thoughts influenced not only the furniture we live with, but also how we live.
Nelson came to design via journalism and literature. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Yale in 1931, he won the Prix de Rome fellowship, and spent his time in Europe writing magazine articles that helped bring stateside recognition to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier and other canonical modernist architects.
In the 1940s, Nelson wrote texts that suggested such now-commonplace ideas as open-plan houses, storage walls and family rooms. D.J. De Pree, the owner of the furniture maker Herman Miller, was so impressed by Nelson that in 1944 — following the sudden death of Gilbert Rohde, who had introduced the firm to modern design in the 1930s — he invited Nelson to join the company as its design director. There Nelson’s curatorial design talents came to the fore.
To Herman Miller he brought such eminent creators as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and the textile and furniture designer Alexander Girard. Thanks to a clever contract, at the same time as he directed Herman Miller he formed a New York design company, George Nelson & Associates, that sold furniture designs to the Michigan firm. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
Nelson’s New York team of designers (who were rarely individually credited) would create such iconic pieces as the Marshmallow sofa, the Coconut chair, the Ball clock, the Bubble lamp series and the many cabinets and beds that comprise the sleek Thin-Edge line.
For dedicated collectors, as well as for interior designers who look beyond “the look,” there is a “cool factor” inherent to vintage pieces from George Nelson and others. Nelson was in on it from the start, and it’s valuable to have a piece that was there with him.
But still, as is evident from the offerings from dealers on 1stDibs, in any of the designs, in any iteration whose manufacture Nelson oversaw and encouraged, there are shining elements of lightness, elegance, sophistication — and a little bit of swagger. George Nelson felt confident in his ideas about design and didn’t mind letting the world know.
Herman Miller
No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms.
Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Walnut veneer Pedestal Occ. Coffee Table No 5452, George Nelson, Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEthe versatile classic, designed by george nelson in 1954, was initially produced in 2 sizes with black or white legs and table plates made from chipboard, the edge of the table cover...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Modular Table Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller with Pierre Frey cushionBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DE“design is a response to social change“ george nelson said, the director of design with office furniture manufacturer herman miller. economic growth and larger companies lead to rapi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Modular Sofa Seating, Gerogen Nelson for Herman Miller, covered in Dedar fabricBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DE“design is a response to social change“ george nelson said, the director of design with office furniture manufacturer herman miller. economic growth and larger companies lead to rapi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Pkw-2 Pivoting K-Wire Wood Base Side Chair, Eames Herman Miller, Bikini, SengBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEeames‘ chairs are so common and widespread today that you’ve actually seen them far too often. but there are some versions that are a bit more special – making them collector’s items. for example, these ray & charles eames side chairs ‚pkw-2‘, meaning a pivoting, k-wire chair on a wooden base. version 1 would be a fully covered seat, version 2 is the cut-out „bikini“ cover, where you can see the wire mesh construction. this is also known as a ‚bikini swivel wire chair‘. here we have a black and a white one. we understood they were imported from the united states as a pair to Europe – but then sold on to different customers. years ago we bought the white one as the first piece in our eames-1st-generations-collection. by chance or serendipity, we were now able to find and buy the black one also and thus reunite the pair. together they make impressive and scarce art objects to grace any collection of early midcentury design. interestingly the dowel-leg-version was discontinued after 1954: the open ball-bearing connection and the elegant thin wooden legs weren’t very practical. weight and power, when swivelling, sometimes resulted in cracks or breakage. (that’s why we wouldn’t recommend them to use as a kitchen chair, maybe.) they are functional, showing a wonderful patina and are great pieces to admire and to understand the thinking behind the design. set of 2 side chair, model pkw-2, swivel dowel-base 1 white powder coated wire-shell, cognac-coloured leather bikini...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Adjustable stool swivel side chair by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEeames‘ plasticchairs are omnipresent nowadays: practical, good-looking and loved by everyone. but when you’re not „everyone“ and would like to insert something special into your interior, here we’ve got a striking discovery: a drafting chair. black fibreglass sidechair shell on height-adjustable, swivelling drafting frame. often the designs by ray and charles eames took part at historical events. chess players bobby fischer...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
- Round side table by Aldo Tura in lacquered goat skin, Italy 1960sBy Aldo TuraLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEluxury at a second glance. italian designer aldo tura (1909 – 1963) is known for his equally idiosyncratic and glamorous surface finishes in lacquered goatskin. a few years ago ‚mo...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood
- Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Berlin, DEThe famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Pedestals
MaterialsAluminum
- Early Pedestal Coffee Table No. 5452 Designed by Irving Harper for George NelsonBy Herman Miller, Irving HarperLocated in Kansas City, MORound white pedestal coffee / side table designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson Office and made by Herman Miller between 1954-1957. Signed with the early Herman Miller Georg...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA simple and elegant pedestal side table with round top having a natural thin wood trim detail to the edge and cast meat star base . The base with foot pads to protect your floors ha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Lamp and Planter TableBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Garnerville, NYModel 4634-L George Nelson for Herman Miller leather top lamp and planter table. Signed with foil label in drawer, George Nelson design, Herman Miller, ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 5153 Mobile TableBy George Nelson, Irving Harper, Herman MillerLocated in Hanover, MAWhite enameled steel frame and white laminate rolling cart designed in 1951 by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Also referred to as an Angle Iron table...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsIron
- Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Lasne, BETable with wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1960s. Wear due to time and age of the tableCategory
Vintage 1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMetal
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.
Kule and Forsyth Give Iconic Furniture a Bold Makeover with Stripes
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.