Herman Miller Large Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant
View Similar Items
Herman Miller Large Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Design:Saucer PendantNelson Bubble Lamp Series
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Diameter: 35 in (88.9 cm)
- Power Source:Hardwired
- Voltage:110-150v
- Lampshade:Included
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:21st Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Minor fading, marks.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 9357-0991NLcon1stDibs: LU921833716732
Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant
The Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant ceiling lamp’s design began with quite a relatable quandary. While redesigning his office at Herman Miller, George Nelson (1908–86), the American architect, writer and furniture maker who served as design director from 1945–72, found a lamp he loved. It was a Swedish design, covered in silk, and, at $125, it was very expensive. So what’s cheaper and more readily available than silk? Plastic.
After reading about a method for protecting the decks of docked ships from moths, which involved spraying a self-webbing plastic onto nets, Nelson had one of his “zaps” — the term he used to describe his moments of creative inspiration. The inventive architect decided to merge that moth-preventing technique with the style of the Swedish lamp he coveted. He designed a frame of steel wire, then sprayed it with plastic to create a smooth and translucent shell. The result differed little from his original inspiration. “When you put a light in it, it glowed, and it did not cost $125,” Nelson said of his 1952 Bubble lamp line and UFO-shaped Saucer Bubble Pendant.
For Nelson, whose talents spanned a number of areas, the saucer’s distinctive glow held special, holistic value. Not only did it result in an intriguing form for the lamp itself, but it also cast a flattering light on the space it occupied as well as on the furniture inside it.
Writing in Everyday Art Quarterly in 1952, Nelson credited his associate William C. Renwick for the design — originally produced for the Howard Miller Company, once a division of Herman Miller — as well as “its successful outcome.” Today, the Nelson Saucer Bubble Pendant lamp is manufactured by Herman Miller.
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.
- Vintage George Nelson Tall Dresser by Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic vintage Herman Miller tall dresser created by legendary American designer George Nelson. Featuring six ample pull-out drawers, this is the ultimate storage solution for any...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century George Nelson for Herman Miller DresserBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYDresser by George Nelson, circa 1950. This stunning piece boasts ebonized drawer fronts, maple casings, and unique circular pulls. A sleek mid-century design that makes the perfect a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Herman Miller Mid-Century TablesBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of mid-century end tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Walnut frames with white laminate tops. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
$1,400 / set - Herman Miller Office ChairBy Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYSingle adjustable office chair made by Herman Miller. 5 total available. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
$385 Sale Price30% Off - Herman Miller Office DeskBy Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYModern office desk by Herman Miller. Made in 1993 while retaining the mid-century modern style. Large wood top with metal hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Pair of Midcentury Cigar Bubble Pendant LightsBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Studio City, CAA fantastic pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller vintage hanging ceiling iconic cigar bubble pendant lights made with translucent plastic poly...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel, Wire
- George Nelson, Saucer Bubble Pendant, Steel, Plastic, USA, 1952By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in High Point, NCAn early "Saucer Bubble" Pendant light designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1952. Small tear to plastic cover. Dimensions o...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Triple Bubble ChandelierBy George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXA hard-to-find triple bubble chandelier by Geore Nelson. Includes the cigar bubble measuring approximately 32" H, a ball bubble and a smaller cigar. Original wood fixture with chande...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsWire
- Original Large George Nelson Bubble Lamps for Howard Miller (B)By George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Oakland, CALarge original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Wire
- Geometric Icosahedron Pendant Lamp Light Vitrolite Glass Globe as George NelsonBy George NelsonLocated in Hyattsville, MDNo chips, and No cracks to glass, just stains and slight oxidation to original metal hardware. Very rare George Nelson (attributed) poly triangular icosahedron globe pendant light. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMilk Glass
- George Nelson, Cigar Wall Sconce, Plastic, Walnut, Nickel, Herman Miller, 1952By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in High Point, NCAn early-production Cigar Bubble wall sconce in plastic polymer, walnut and brushed nickel; designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, 1952. Variable dimensions...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsNickel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.