George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 84 in (213.36 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Very light wear. Wood has a beautiful patina.
- Seller Location:Kansas City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU105701238398
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.
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Chaise LongueBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Kansas City, MORare George Nelson chaise longue for Herman Miller. Heavy chromed steel frame with newer upholstery.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsChrome
- Armchair by George Nelson for Herman Miller RestoredBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Kansas City, MOGeorge Nelson armchair in new blue Maharam fabric. Blonde Primavera frame in excellent condition.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"By George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Kansas City, MORare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsAluminum
- Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 3By Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in Kansas City, MORare postmodern brown and cream checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Slight signs of wear ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsAluminum
- Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Metro Table Clock "Tempo 21"By George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Kansas City, MORare table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Navy pyramid base with a cream wavy stem that holds the red and green clock...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Desk or Office Chair, Very Rare, New Red Boucle Knoll UpholsteryBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Kansas City, MOVery rare George Nelson desk chair, freshly reupholstered in a crimson Knoll Classic boucle.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s The Top has a very floating appearance.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Home Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Hudson, NYWalnut with original custom white leather writing surface and sliding floating doors, small drawers in maple. Storage and drop down typing table with original perforated aluminum fil...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Action Office 1' DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAEarly George Nelson Action Office 1 desk in original condition with minor wear. George Nelson for Herman Miller, polished aluminum, plastic laminate, w...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Home Office Desk Model 4658 for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXGeorge Nelson & Associates Home Office desk, model 4658 Manufactured by Herman Miller USA, 1946 This example is constructed of combed oak, chrome-plated...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
$9,000 Sale Price28% Off - Action Desk by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Robert Propst, Herman MillerLocated in Madrid, ESAction Office desk, model 64 902, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Locka...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
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.