George Nelson Furniture
American, 1908-1986
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.
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Period: 1970s
Creator: George Nelson
George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Extra Long Contract Bench with Planter Box
This bench measures: 101 wide x 20.5 deep x 16.75 high
All ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Desk with Return
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Desk with Return
This desk measures: 65 wide x 84.5 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches
All pieces of furnitur...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
Original Large George Nelson Bubble Lamps for Howard Miller (B)
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Oakland, CA
Large original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Wire
Large Original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for Howard Miller Clock Company (A)
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Oakland, CA
Large original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Wire, Metal
1970s desk George Nelson for ICF De Padova
By George Nelson, ICF De Padova
Located in Genova, IT
Desk designed by George Nelson in the 1970s produced under license in italy by ICF de padova.
Original condition, preserved.
High-thickness black laminate top, front panel covered in...
Category
1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Sofa
This sofa measures: 82 wide x 33 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and ar...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Leather and Chrome Sling Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Leather and Chrome Sling Sofa
This sofa measures: 87 wide x 32 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and arm height of 23 inc...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Rosewood Thin Edge Nightstands – Pair
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge Nightstands – Pair
Each nightstand measures: 18 wide x 18.5 deep x 23.5 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be ha...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Vintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson Ball Pendant Bubble Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson Ball Pendant Bubble Lamp
This mid century modern George Nelson Bubble Lamp will add a touch of softness and luminosity to you interior.
Ci...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a 1970s vintage Herman Miller Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson. This is a classic example of Nelson's work with great emphasis on simplicity and functionality. It has cast aluminum legs and basket-like pull-out drawers.
We have multiple Action Office desks in stock...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson & Daniel Lewis for Koch Lowy "Eyeshade" Articulated Desk Lamp
By George Nelson, Koch & Lowy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this uncommon 1970s "Eyeshade" articulated desk lamp designed by George Nelson and Daniel Lewis for Koch & Lowy. The shade can be raised up/down, rotate, and tilt up/down. It is composed of an outer perforated black metal screen, an inner aluminum shade, and green acrylic end detail that glows when the light is on, an apparent modern reference to the green glass shades of antique bankers lamps...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
George Nelson Walnut Headboard Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
George Nelson walnut and leather accent headboard. 3 piece set, both side tables detach. White leather hidden storage space. No damages or broken ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Drop Side Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Drop Side Desk
This desk measures: 40 wide x 24 deep x 28.75 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 i...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Modular 2 Drawer Bar Cabinet and Bench
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Modular 2 Drawer Bar Cabinet and Bench
The cabinet measures: 40 wide x 18.5 deep x 34 inches high
(exact measurements for the bench are s...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare 3 bay wall unit Georges Nelson CSS Shelf Palisander
By George Nelson
Located in London, GB
Georges Nelson Css shelving unit in Palissander Inc
6 shelfs ( 3 wide 3 narrow)
1 desk, 1 glass cabinet, 1 double door
Signed ...
Category
1970s American Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Oak
George Nelson Midcentury Burlwood and Rosewood Grandfather Clock
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson Mid Century Burlwood and Rosewood Grandfather Clock
This clock measures: 16.5 wide x 9 deep x 72.5 inches high
We take ou...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Burl
1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Oak
1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Oak, Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling Sofa
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling Sofa
This sofa measures: 87 wide x 32 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat heigh...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest
This chest of drawers measures: 39.75 wide x 18.5 deep x 40.5 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
George Nelson for Howard Miller Midcentury Lucite Grandfather Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Howard Miller Mid Century lucite Grandfather Clock
This clock measures: 13 wide x 9 deep x 55.25 inches high
We take our photos in a controlled lighting studi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest – Pair
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest – Pair
Each chest of drawers measures: 39.75 wide x 18.5 deep x 40.5 inches high
All pi...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge 5 Drawer Chest
This chest of drawers measures: 39.75 wide x 18.5 deep x 40.5 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Chrome
George Nelson Midcentury Burlwood and Rosewood Grandfather Clock
By George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson midcentury Burlwood and Rosewood Grandfather Clock
This clock measures: 16.5 wide x 9 deep x 72.5 inches high
We take our...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Rosewood, Burl
1970s Mid-Century George Nelson Herman Miller "Action Office" Rolltop Desk Exec.
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Basel, BS
Very Rare and highly collectible original vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller rolltop "Action Desk". These early productions of these Herman Miller products hold more value than the more modern productions. This desk is beautiful from all angles. It is a brutalist, post modern, collectible work of art.
Measures: Height: 34 inches
Width: 54 inches
Depth: 30 inches.
Note: We do have the Herman Miller Aluminum Group desk chair...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Md-Century Modern George Nelson Lingerie Chest
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern lingerie chest features sculpted round pulls with ebonized fronts on each drawer. This stylish five-drawer chest offers plenty of room for storage within...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Koch Lowy "Eyeshade" Desk Lamp, 1970's
By George Nelson, Koch & Lowy
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern George Nelson for Koch & Lowy Adjustable Perforated Aluminum & Black Enamel Table Lamp. Featuring a perforated Black enameled Aluminum cylinder mesh shade, Off White interior,...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Irving Harper for George Nelson Howard Miller Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Irving Harper for George Nelson Associates wall clock. Produced by Howard Miller, with original tags. Runs well and retains the original hands a...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Plastic
George Nelson for Koch & Lowy Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This floor lamp by George Nelson for Koch & Lowy, was Nelson's last lamp design. It culminated many design features developed by Nelson over his career. The...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
George Nelson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nelson furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by George Nelson were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Drexel, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and John Widdicomb. Prices for George Nelson furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $155 and can go as high as $48,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,411.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Furniture
- What did George Nelson make?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was a furniture designer central to the mid-century modern design movement. His best-known creations are the marshmallow sofa, coconut chair, ball clock and bubble lamp series. His style included sleek, thin-edge lines on a variety of furniture still available today. Shop a range of George Nelson furniture designs on 1stDibs.
- Why is George Nelson famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was an American designer, and for a time the lead designer for the famed Herman Miller furniture company. Nelson is often referred to as the founder of American modernist design and often associated with his more inspired pieces such as the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and the Ball Clock. Shop a collection of George Nelson furniture designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Modern George Nelson clocks are made in Poland. The company Vitra Designs manufactures the timepieces based on the original designs of the American designer who lived from 1908 to 1986. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of George Nelson clocks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson Bubble Lamps are made of steel wires, which form a durable framework for the lamp. A plastic polymer material spread over the wires forms the shade which is translucent to give the lamp a soft glow. Inspired by Swedish lamps, these mid-century modern light fixtures are still made by the legendary furniture manufacturer Herman Miller today. Shop a range of George Nelson Bubble Lamps on 1stDibs.
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