George Nelson Home Office Desk
View Similar Items
George Nelson Home Office Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40.75 in (103.51 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 28 in (71.12 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1954
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Older refinish with a few small blemishes. A number of the screws on the underside are not original.
- Seller Location:San Mateo, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU95361247292
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.
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 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. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- George Nelson Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in San Mateo, CADouble pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Large Walnut and Aluminum Executive DeskLocated in San Mateo, CAThis desk is likely a custom-made piece. The architectural aluminum legs have black anodized aluminum in the center that become the glide at the bottom. There is a band of aluminum a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Bronze and Iron Desk Signal Cannon ModelLocated in San Mateo, CAThis desk top signal cannon has a bronze barrel and iron carriage. This model will actually fire. The barrel has a nice patina. The base has been repaint...Category
Early 20th Century American Models and Miniatures
MaterialsIron, Bronze
- Ornate Desk Model Signal Cannon in Bronze and IronLocated in San Mateo, CAThis large desk top cannon model will actually fire. The barrel is bronze and the carriage is iron. The carriage has been repainted in the past.Category
Early 20th Century American Models and Miniatures
MaterialsBronze, Iron
- Art Deco Desk or Table Lamp with Fluted Brass ColumnLocated in San Mateo, CASmall art deco table or desk lamp. This has a brass fluted column on a square wood base. The lamp has an eight inch diameter reflector that can b...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Walnut and Acrylic Mid Century Low Coffee TableLocated in San Mateo, CAWalnut and acrylic slat coffee table. This table has the feeling of a Jens Risom design but we have not been able to document that. The table has three boards across the top with a s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsAcrylic, Walnut
- 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 - George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Action Office 1' DeskBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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 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
- Desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, Large VersionBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Bern, CHDesign classic desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, large version. Offered is a rare original design classic rarity, the desk Action Office 1. Model 64 902. Designe...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Table or DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Skokie, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Vintage Action Office Table or Desk The Action Office desk or conference table was designed by American designer and architect George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. A substantial piece, It features a beautifully grained walnut top mounted on a streamlined, polished stainless steel base. The desk top edge is trimmed in black rubber. to protect it against bumps and bruises. Two small desk drawers slide out from beneath the table top. The drawers can be removed if desired. The desk top has been recently restored and is in excellent condition. Action Office was originally designed as a set of components that could be combined in multiple ways and changed as needed to evolve with the office over time. George Nelson was one of the founders of American Modernism. From 1946 until 1972, Nelson was director of design at Herman Miller. While there, Nelson introduced several important innovations in office furniture design, such as the Swagged Leg Group, which included the DAF and MAA chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
- 1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler productionBy Herman Miller, Robert Propst, George NelsonLocated in Renens, CH1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
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.