George Nelson Tables
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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Creator: George Nelson
George Nelson Coffee Table in White by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is George Nelson's signature end table, characterized by clean lines and practicality. The metal base pedestal looks almost organic as it rise...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson Walnut Drop Leaf Dining Table Gate Leg
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern George Nelson drop-leaf dining table.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Walnut
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Robert Propst
Located in Renens, CH
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 5153 Mobile Table
By George Nelson, Irving Harper, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
White 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
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Walnut Side Table with Planters by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Dorchester, MA
George Nelson designed this uniquely functional side table, model 4745, for Herman Miller. Constructed of walnut with ebonized block legs, it houses two square copper planting boxes...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Copper, Chrome
Rare Early George Nelson Bench / Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early and rare Nelson coffee table / bench with white rectangle Laminate top having black legs typical of the Nelson slat bench coffee table. This table was not produced in large n...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood
Yellow & Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Yellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
Model 5751 George Nelson Cocktail Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in South Charleston, WV
George Nelson for Herman Miller thin edge model 5751 produced, circa 1960. Frame is polished steel coffee table. Tops and sides have been coated in black satin lacquer specifically d...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
The Top has a very floating appearance.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brescia, IT
George Nelson by Hermann Miller
1950s
Laminated wood, aluminum base
Rare model.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage George Nelson Herman Miller Steel Frame White Coffee Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful clean signed example of this form. All original. White laminate top. Original white finish. Style of Florence Knoll.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Elusive Modernist Action Office Desk or Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rarely seen modernist action office desk or conference table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Purchased from prominent Buffalo NY architect. Beautiful figured walnut wood top mino...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
MidCentury George Nelson Sling Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Produced for only 4 years this exceptionally rare "Sling Table" is in wonderful vintage condition. Featuring a rounded granite top on chromed legs. A perfe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Granite, Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Model 4652 Extension Coffee Table by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
This early George Nelson design features two extensions with reversible and removable tray tables. Closed, it is a modestly scaled table. Opened the surface nearly doubles, and the t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood, Formica
1960s Walnut and Leather Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Glendale, CA
1960s walnut and leather desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Executed in walnut with leather lift top (with key) covering center filing compartment, which illuminates and contai...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
Rosewood Rectangular Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller 2 Leaves
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stunning Mid-Century Modern solid walnut base rosewood top dining table with 2 x 20" extension boards leafs. Has self storage leafs compartment. Designed by George Nelson for Herman ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Walnut
1950s Pair of Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of two (2) Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables / nightstands designed by George Nelson with satin-chromed legs and a lateral drawer. Made by Herman Miller in the USA, circa 19...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Lazy Susan Round Dining Table Very Rare Brazilian Rosewood Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early, rare rosewood lazy susan dining table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The center white laminate area is a lazy susan so it turns in a circular motion. This is the...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarer find in original black finish. Clever design by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Measures: 40" depth
29.75" height.
64.75" long unfolded
41.5" half folded
18.5" folded.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood
Writing Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson "Dry Erase" Desk with Return
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly laminated Formica top with dry erase laminate. Very cool, dry/erase surface for your work desk. Extr...
Category
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Chrome
Prototype George Nelson Rosewood Round Dining or Conference Table, One of a Kind
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
This unique prototype table was designed by George Nelson and features a 1.5 inch thick Brazilian rosewood top made from lumber Nelson selected on a trip to Brasilia and meeting with...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Rare George Nelson Coffetable with Castors
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
From the steelframe series.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
1950s Rare George Nelson Associates Arbuck Table Stool Wire Grid Iron Patio
By Arbuck, George Nelson
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Extremely Rare Three Leg Round Design. Can be used with a glass top as show and included as a table, or with a cushion as a stool, however, there is no cushion included. It was only ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson - Pedestal Extension Dining Table, 1956 for Herman Miller, USA
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson - Extendable dining table with base
1956 for Herman Miller, USA
The large Dining table consists of a white coated aluminum frame with a white laminated wooden top (For...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Original Swag Leg Pedestal Table by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
An original swag leg side table by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a black table laminate top and wood trim on a polished aluminum base #5451.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
American Modern Wood Metal Dining Table by George Nelson Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in MIlano, IT
American Modern wood and black metal Dining table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
elegant and fantastic dining table with thick ova...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Vintage Lazy Susan Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid Century lazy Susan dining table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This piece features a round Formica table top with mahogany trim a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Oak Modular Storage Unit with Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Dorchester, MA
George Nelson designed this handsome modular unit for Herman Miller. It comprises a set of drawers, a cabinet, a bookcase hutch, and a table/desk whose top lifts to reveal extra divi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Oak
George Nelson tables for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nelson tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables 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 tables by Brown Saltman, Charles and Ray Eames, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for George Nelson tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,013 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,400.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Tables
- 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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