Iconic George Nelson ‘Coconut’ Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Vitra (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 33.47 in (85 cm)Width: 41.34 in (105 cm)Depth: 29.14 in (74 cm)Seat Height: 15.36 in (39 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2005
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftspeople in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. Check ‘About the item’ or ask our design specialists for detailed information on the condition.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:
Coconut Lounge Chair
George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”
The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as simple as the name suggests: a curved slice of coconut. In addition to the tropical fruit, the sleek chair nods to architect Eero Saarinen’s swerving Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, built in 1953.
Minimal in appearance, the Coconut lounge chair comprises only a few materials: a molded plastic shell, a single leather cushion and a trio of chrome legs. The chair was created in 1955 for Herman Miller, where Nelson served as director of design until 1972. In his studio, Nelson and his designers produced a wealth of hits, including benches, pendant lights and more for Herman Miller and other clients. In his director role, Nelson also supervised a team of now-legendary mid-century modern designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others.
Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree hired Nelson in 1945 after having read about a modular storage system that he conceived with architect Henry Wright — it was featured in a joint editorial project from Life and Architectural Forum. Nelson continued to operate his design studio while at Herman Miller, and today, several of the pieces designed at George Nelson Associates, Inc. are in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, including the Coconut lounge chair.
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Waalwijk, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 10 days of delivery.
- George Nakashima 'Cushion' Spindleback Lounge Chair and Ottoman in WalnutBy George Nakashima Studio, George NakashimaLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, 'Cushion' lounge chair and ottoman, American black walnut, reupholstered in Pierre Frey “Chupa” Vegetale, United States, 1962 This quintessen...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- Iconic Hans Wegner ‘Flag Halyard’ Lounge Chair Early Edition Model GE225By Hans J. WegnerLocated in Waalwijk, NLHans J. Wegner, ‘Flag Halyard’ lounge chair model ‘GE225’, rope, steel, dark green lacquered steel, leather, wood, sheepskin, Denmark, 1958 This iconic chair, made with 250 metres o...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Lounge Chair in Beige UpholsteryLocated in Waalwijk, NLLounge chair, fabric, lacquered metal, Europe, 1980s This elegant-shaped lounge chair has a solid construction featuring geometrical shapes and sharp edges, giving the lounge chair ...Category
Vintage 1980s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Vladimir Kagan 'Capricorn' Lounge ChairsBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Waalwijk, NLVladimir Kagan, pair of 'Capricorn' lounge chairs, lacquered metal, United States, circa. 1958 The ‘Capricorn’ chair epitomizes a splendid constructio...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Carl Malmsten 'Redet' Lounge ChairBy Carl MalmstenLocated in Waalwijk, NLCarl Malmsten, ‘Redet’ lounge chair, stained mahogany, reupholstered in Métaphores “Eden Citrine” fabric, Sweden, design 1936, production 1937. Crafted in 1937, the 'Redet' easy cha...Category
Vintage 1930s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet, Mahogany
- Sculptural Lounge Chair with OttomanLocated in Waalwijk, NLArmchair with ottoman, plywood, canvas, Czech Republic, 1950s. This wavy, elegant armchair with a high back is executed in a bent beech frame. The lounge chair and ottoman are uphol...Category
Vintage 1950s Czech Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsCanvas, Plywood
- George Nelson "Coconut" Lounge Chair for VitraBy George NelsonLocated in Edmonton, ABThis iconic midcentury modern lounge chair was designed by George Nelson in 1956. This chair is a recent production.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950sBy George Nelson, VitraLocated in Antwerp, BEIntroducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, an...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsChrome
- 2007 Coconut Lounge Chair by George Nelson for Vitra in Black LeatherBy George Nelson, VitraLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single Coconut Lounge Chair, designed by George Nelson. This handsome lounge chair is composed of a molded reinforced plastic shell, with an upholstered black leather seat ...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
- George Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair in Maharam Mode Goldenrod FabricsBy George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WAThis is a late 2010s production of the Coconut Chair, Designed by George Nelson's design studio. Introduced in 1956, the Coconut Lounge Chair is one artifact of the burst of crea...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric
- George Nelson Coconut Chair and OttomanBy George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CALeather chair and ottoman with metal base.Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
- Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Coconut Chair by George Nelson for VitraBy George Nelson, VitraLocated in Doornspijk, NLThe Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Obviously he took his inspiration from a coconut that...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
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.
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.