George Nelson Basic Cabinet
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
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Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Walnut
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Aluminum
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Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Brass
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Mahogany
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Aluminum
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Aluminum
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Oak
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Metal
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Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Aluminum
Vintage 1950s American Cabinets
Walnut
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
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Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Walnut
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Chrome
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Walnut, Maple
Vintage 1950s American Cabinets
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Birch
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Wood
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Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Steel
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Chrome
Vintage 1950s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
Walnut
George Nelson Basic Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a George Nelson Basic Cabinet?
George Nelson for sale on 1stDibs
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.
Finding the Right Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets for You
Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.
In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.
Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.
Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.
In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.
A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.