Convertible Daybed Sofa with Hairpin Legs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
Convertible Daybed Sofa with Hairpin Legs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.25 in (59.06 cm)Width: 75 in (190.5 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good vintage condition with wear commensurate with age and use. See description for greater condition detail.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1330216555992
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.
- Tandem Sling by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller, Four-SeatBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CARay and Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962, created for comfort and convenience. For the modern-da...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsAluminum
$1,350 Sale Price / item57% Off - 'Cleopatra' Daybed by A.R. Cordemeijer for Auping Netherlands, c. 1953, SignedBy Auping, A.R. CordemeijerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis stylish 'Cleopatra' daybed by A.R. Cordemeijer for Auping, Netherlands, was designed and produced in circa 1953. Signed on the springs as can be seen in the photos. Featurin...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Scandinavian Modern Daybeds
MaterialsMetal
$1,900 Sale Price40% Off - Barcelona Daybed by Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll International, 1960s, SignedBy Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der RoheLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis iconic and authentic (both the leather cushion and the Mahogany frame is signed with Knoll International labels) daybed is the 'Barcelona Daybed' also referred to as the 'Barcelona Couch' by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International and is considered an 'early original production collectors example' as it is from Knoll's earlier years of producing this design in the 1960s and 1970s before they changed to different manufacturing processes during the 1980s. This example is signed with a Knoll International label that has the 320 Park Ave address and is dated on the back of the label July 9, 1975. To determine the estimated production year we note that the date most likely corresponds to the retailer or possibly the Knoll sold/ ship date. The address of 320 Park Ave changed to Fifth Ave in 1970 and Knoll Associates did not become Knoll International until 1968. Therefore we would pinpoint the production year to be between 1968 and 1970. It is possible that it was slightly after 1970 that this example was produced as it is believed that Knoll continued to use labels with the older 320 Park Ave for several months to a couple years after changing addresses, however generally speaking 1970s examples will be labelled with their Fifth Ave address. All construction details also indicate a 1st-Generation 'original' production by Knoll as their production did not change throughout the Knoll Associates years and through the first half of the Knoll International years. This rare original 1st-Generation 'Barcelona Daybed' features its original brown leather upholstery with subtle patina and wear throughout. These traces of age and use bring more vibrancy to the leather, giving this piece an on-trend lightly distressed look. The original bolster pillow in matching brown leather is secured to the cushion and platform via straps and lock snaps. The platform is crafted from stained Mahogany and supported by polished tubular stainless steel legs and the original leather straps are all in-tact. Both the cushion is labelled and the platform frame as well with a partial Knoll International sticker label as can be seen in the photo gallery. Considered to be the epitome of modern design, Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich originally designed the Barcelona chair in 1929 to serve as seating for the king and queen of Spain in the German Pavilion. This was Germany's entry for the International Exhibition, hosted by Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Designed in 1930 the Barcelona daybed (also referred to as the Barcelona Couch) emanates this seminal design, paralleling the same simplicity and elegance of the iconic Barcelona chair. This Barcelona couch by Mies van der Rohe for Knoll International is ideal for a living room, family room, study, den or lounge. It would also be an Apt choice in a corporate, retail or hospitality location such as a boutique hotel lobby, cocktail bar, members club, workspace studio, executive office or in a retail boutique...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsStainless Steel
$12,700 Sale Price25% Off - Tan Leather Cloud Style Sofa with Lucite Leg by Weiman, c 1980s, SignedBy WeimanLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis beautiful curvy and fluid Post-Modern sofa by Weiman is in soft and luxurious tan colored leather, features a single lucite leg and is signed underneath with a Weiman label. Designed by Robert L. Ebel and produced by Wieman in the 1980s and 90s, this curvaceous sofa was inspired by Vladimir Kagan's designs such as the 'Cloud' sofa by Directional, the 'Serpentine' sofa by Kagan...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsLeather, Lucite
$4,300 Sale Price32% Off - Eames for Herman Miller Two-Seat Tandem Sling Airport ChairBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CARay & Charles Eames were commissioned to design the perfect utilitarian seating for the first international airports in 1962. Created for comfort and convenience, this chair is iconi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsAluminum
- Charles Eames for Herman Miller Tandem Aluminum Lounge Chairs in Edelman LeatherBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAIncredible pair of restored and reimagined Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1962 Collection, Tandem modular seating that was originally designed for Chicago O'Hare Airport, w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Daybed Sofa in Blue Checker Reupholstery by Alexander GirardBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson daybed for Herman Miller in newly upholstered Alexander Girard Maharam "Checker" fabric. George Nelson and Alexander Girard were both A...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsFabric, Upholstery, Wood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Sofa in Off-White UpholsteryBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller, sofa, chrome-plated metal, fabric, United States, 1960s This fine sofa is designed by the renowned American furniture designer George Nelson. This s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Early, Museum Quality Marshmallow Sofa by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXEarly production Marshmallow sofa model 5670 designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1956. This is an early excellent (One of the best) examples of 186 ever produced betwe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Modular Sofa Table System Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Berlin, BEModular Sofa by George Nelson with a strong metal structure including chrome-plated feet. Two vintage grey upholstered Seats with buttoned backrests and a square Formica side-table t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
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.