Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Commodes with Vanity Bridge
View Similar Items
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Commodes with Vanity Bridge
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950s
- Condition:Excellent restored condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84192263122
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.
- Five-Drawer Ribbon Mahogany Tall Dresser by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILRibbon mahogany five-drawer dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller. M-shaped aluminium pulls and hair pin aluminium legs. Top drawer is partitioned as is the third deeper drawer.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Ash and Black Glass Four-Drawer CommodesLocated in Chicago, ILPair of commodes or nightstands in figured ashwood with factory applied patina. Black glass tops with bull nose edging and Campaign-style brass drawer pulls.Category
Vintage 1960s American Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
$3,750 / set - Pair of Henredon Gold Toned Silver Leaf Bombe Two-Drawer CommodesBy HenredonLocated in Chicago, ILPossibly from the same line of furniture designed by Dorothy Draper for Henredon, these bombe two-drawer commodes are finished in a distressed gold toned sil...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Custom Faux Tortoise Shell Cylinder CommodesLocated in Chicago, ILUncommon pair of custom faux tortoise shell commodes with recessed escutcheon and ring pull. Single door opens to reveal a light yellow lacquered single shelf compartment. Each commo...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Solid White Oak Carved Four-Panel Commodes with Carrera Marble TopsLocated in Chicago, ILPair of four panel carved and recessed front cabinets constructed of solid white oak. Each four panel front is constructed of bi-fold doors that open to reveal five drawers, three wi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsCarrara Marble, Iron
- Asian Inspired Bleached & Cerused Petite Walnut CommodeBy Davis Cabinet CompanyLocated in Chicago, ILPetite three drawer bleached and glazed walnut commode. Ming style legs with recessed border. Drawers have projected radius corner carved panels with white glazed brass pulls and esc...Category
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960. Absolutely beautiful and completely restored. Measure 18" wide, 18.5" deep, 22.5" tallCategory
Vintage 1960s American Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Twin Headboard 2x AvailableBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single (two are available, though sold separately) Model 4695 George Nelson for Herman Miller twin headboard. The piece is forme...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- 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
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera HeadboardBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Forney, TXA rare American Mid-Century Modern headboard for a double (full) size bed with storage and adjustable backrests by important Modernist architect and designer George Nelson (American, 1908-1986) for Herman Miller, circa 1950, model 4647 from the Primavera Collection, walnut, tufted vinyl, ebonized feet. Dimensions: (approx) 40" High, 56.25" Wide, 12" Deep A superb example, in excellent original vintage condition, having a pair tufted vinyl doors that slide down to reveal individual storage compartments. Walnut veneer in excellent condition with one small (.75") stable bubble beneath the surface at top (no splitting or discoloration present). Bed retains both brackets and anchor pins...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsUpholstery, PVC, Wood, Walnut
- 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 for Herman Miller MCM Walnut and Leather Twin HeadboardsBy George NelsonLocated in Hopewell, NJIconic George Nelson for Herman Miller twin walnut headboards with full grain beige leather inset panels with tufting. The paneled doors lower to reveal shelf storage perfect for bo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$3,520 Sale Price20% Off
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.