American Walnut Front Steel Frame Chests by George Nelson for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
American Walnut Front Steel Frame Chests by George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 110817111stDibs: U11100480401641
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.
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a 4 drawer chest in walnut with cast metal pulls, black lacquered angular legs and cast aluminum finger pulls. Top drawer has removable dividers. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Three Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TX3 Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Very good condition.Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Dr...
MaterialsBirch, Lacquer
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest in Walnut with ShelvingBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a rare 3 drawer chest with shelving compartment. Walnut with cast metal pulls that we have painted black, with black lacquered angular legs. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1950sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern five-drawer dresser chest By George Nelson for Herman Miller, "Basic Cabinet ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in London, GBMade in the United States in middle of the 20th century, this pair of chests are a design classic by George Nelson for Herman Miller. One has three drawers and the other four - ple...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
- GEORGE NELSON THIN EDGE CHEST / Cabinet for HERMAN MILLER. Classic ModernistBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYNice early George Nelson 'Thin Edge' chest of drawers with classic aluminum pulls and walnut or mahogany veneer. Divided drawers,,, Produced in the 1950s & 1960s by Herman Miller, ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
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.