Thin Edge Bed By George Nelson
View Similar Items
Thin Edge Bed By George Nelson
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 36 in (91.44 cm)Width: 76.5 in (194.31 cm)Depth: 54 in (137.16 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1954
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Recently Faithfully-Restored and Refinished.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU81411128184
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, as well as its competitor, the Howard Miller Clock Company. 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 these pages, 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 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. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- Weeping Willow Sculpture by Brian BijanBy Brian BijanLocated in Brooklyn, NYVery attractive weeping willow tree sculpture by Brian Bijan. Tree is made with mixed copper and brass metal supported by a quartz stone base. Stamped 1...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsQuartz, Metal, Brass, Copper
- Custom Side Table by Erno FabryBy Erno FabryLocated in Brooklyn, NYRare and elegant side table by Czech-born architect and taste-maker Erno Fabry featuring solid cherry legs and a masterfully-applied rosewood veneer. Made in Belgium and imported by ...Category
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsCherry, Rosewood
- Custom Side Table by Erno FabryBy Erno FabryLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome little side table by Czech born architect and taste-maker Erno Fabry featuring beautifully-sculpted European Walnut legs and a stunning, bookmatched rosewood veneer. Made in...Category
Vintage 1950s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsRosewood, Walnut
$960 Sale Price61% Off - Large Aluminum Light by Paul Mayen for Habitat International; 1960sBy Habitat International, Paul MayenLocated in Brooklyn, NYUnique and impressive aluminum light by Paul Mayen for Habitat International, circa 1968. This well proportioned design consists of two polished aluminum cylindrical sections joined ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
$1,480 Sale Price38% OffFree Shipping - Vintage Bronze and Chrome Abstract Wall Sculpture by Giovanni Schoeman, 1970sBy Glen Cove Sculpture Works Ltd., Giovanni SchoemanLocated in Brooklyn, NYIntriguing abstract hanging sculpture with two-tone bronze casting, polished chrome background, and various other metals. This piece has been designed and signed by renowned sculptor...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsBrass, Chrome
$1,650 Sale Price54% OffFree Shipping - Soriana Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, 1969By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, CassinaLocated in Brooklyn, NYDesigned by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in 1969 for Cassina, the Soriana lounge chair is a piece of design history. Here we have a completely original vintage example in original velvet co...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$8,199 Sale Price / set21% Off
- Pair George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood ChestsBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in New York, NYPair of George Nelson thin edge chests or nightstands. The items are rosewood veneer with four pull-out drawers and metal legs.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
$12,500 / set - George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood NightstandBy George NelsonLocated in San Francisco, CAGeorge Nelson design "Thin Edge" series nightstand for Herman Miller. Made from highly figural rosewood on tapering aluminum legs with a white lacquer cubby and an adjustable shelf. ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Rosewood Thin Edge Nightstands – PairBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- Pair Teak George Nelson Thin Edge Night Stands / Chests. Expertly Restored.By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Kansas City, MOPair of George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller Thin Edge cabinets model 4701. Teak cases with anodized aluminum pulls and cast aluminum legs. Each cabinet features four drawers...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller, Model 4617By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in New York, NYGeorge Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller model 4617. Handsome bedside cabinets/nightstands, purchased by Solo Modern, from the estate of famed Mad Magazine cartoonist, Mort Drucker...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum, Zinc
- 1950s Pair of Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Sagaponack, NYA 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
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
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.