Three-Bay CSS Wall Unit by George Nelson for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
Three-Bay CSS Wall Unit by George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 96 in (243.84 cm)Width: 97 in (246.38 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1969
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU164528132393
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.
- Franco Albini "Infinito" Wall Unit for CassinaBy Franco Albini, CassinaLocated in Los Angeles, CAFranco Albini wall unit for Cassina, c.2010s Italy. This modular shelving system, first designed in the 1950s, was relaunched in 2008 and feat...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsTeak
- George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally intended for a dining space as well...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Dresser for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn eight-drawer double dresser from George Nelson’s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller. Design features the slender rosewood case for which the series was named and a double stac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Brass Clock for Howard MillerBy Howard Miller, George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson for Howard Miller brass clock. A round brass clock on a tri-legged brass pedestal with a thick plexiglass face. The clock has b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Charles and Ray Eames Storage Unit "ESU" for Herman MillerBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAAn iconic design, this 2nd generation Eames Storage Unit for Herman Miller, c.1950s, USA, is a beautiful example of what has been described as "working art." The unit features a birc...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsSteel
- Irving Harper Fire Starter by George Nelson Associates for Howard MillerBy Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving HarperLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigned by Irving Harper under George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller c. 1950s, USA. The footed cast iron pot features a coiled-handle and white firing stone that shows minimal ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS UnitBy George NelsonLocated in Palm Springs, CAThe George Nelson CSS Unit, is a stylish and functional addition to the renowned Herman Miller furniture collection. Designed by the visionary George Nelson, this CSS unit seamlessly combines form and function to elevate any modern workspace or living area. This unit was acquired out of a beautiful Palm Springs estate last year. We finally assembled it in our gallery. There is one additional shelve not pictured. Totally configurable. This unit is likely of mid 1980’s vintage based on the other pieces in the house. It will be disassembled for shipping and will require some installation upon delivery. This unit features the rare record holder and record player holder...Category
20th Century American Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller CSS UnitBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Lake Worth, FLVintage George Nelson Herman Miller CSS unit. This piece is designed to be used as a room divider or placed anywhere in the room. Unit includes 3 black tensio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller 3 Bay Omni System Mid Century Shelving Wall UnitBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Keego Harbor, MIAn Omni system wall unit by George Nelson for Herman Miller. A gorgeous mid century modern wall unit featuring sleek, brushed aluminum framing, and walnut ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
- modular floor to ceiling CSS shelf unit Design George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Offenburg, Baden Wurthembergmodular Herman Miller CSS Shelf unit designed by George Nelson. Herman Miller 1970ies edition in laquered wood, with aluminium construction poles. With makers bedge. The CSS she...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Outstanding Early George Nelson C S S, , 4-Bay Wall System, Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Buffalo, NYOutstanding and Early George Nelson C S S (comprehensive storage system) ,,manufactured by Herman Miller..4 bAYS consisting of 10 Shelves,...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Rare 3 bay wall unit Georges Nelson CSS Shelf PalisanderBy George NelsonLocated in London, GBGeorges Nelson Css shelving unit in Palissander Inc 6 shelfs ( 3 wide 3 narrow) 1 desk, 1 glass cabinet, 1 double door Signed ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Shelves
MaterialsBamboo
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.