Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera Headboard
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Cabinetmaker),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 56.25 in (142.88 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent original vintage condition with nicely aged patina. May have typical wear consistent with age and use. See description and photos for a detailed condition report. Delivered cleaned, waxed, hand polished, ready for immediate use.
- Seller Location:Forney, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5977233817252
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Forney, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar American Mid-Century Modern Mahogany HeadboardBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Forney, TXA scarce Mid-Century Modern mahogany headboard with rattan caning designed by Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) for Dunbar. Stamped plaque to eac...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsRattan, Mahogany
- Mid-Century Art Deco Italian Modern Burl Bedside Cabinets, a PairLocated in Forney, TXA rare vintage pair of Italian modernist burled walnut bedside cabinets, circa 1940s. Born in Italy in the mid-20th century, fine quality craftsmanship, crafted in Art Deco style,...Category
Mid-20th Century European Art Deco Night Stands
MaterialsBurl
- Pair of Italian Mid-Century Burlwood Bedside CabinetsLocated in Forney, TXA fine quality, scarce, likely one-of-a-kind matched pair of Italian burlwood bedside cabinets. Handmade in Northern Italy in the mid 20th century, wi...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Night Stands
MaterialsBurl
- Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner Donau Collection Bed and NightstandBy Memphis Group, Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis MilanoLocated in Forney, TXA rare and iconic Italian post-modern Donau Collection bed and matching nightstand designed by master architect and furniture designer Ettore Sottsass (Austria/Italy, 1917-2007) in collaboration with Marco Zanini (Milan, Italy; b.1971) for Leitner Interior Design, circa 1988. Scarce design, bold and dramatic, sculptural-form, exceptionally executed in bird’s-eye maple lacquered and laminated wood, including blue accents and columns that offer a visually striking contrast. Retaining the original manufacturer's label, signed, 195/88. Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from highly reputable auction house Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas. Design Signature Auction catalog #8110 Dimensions: (approx) Bed: (Twin XL...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLaminate, Wood
- 19th Century Viennese Jacob & Josef Kohn Attributed Bentwood CradleBy Jacob & Josef KohnLocated in Forney, TXA rare original Viennese Art Nouveau period beechwood child's cradle, attributed to Austrian furniture maker and interior designer J. & J. Kohn (Jacob & Josef Kohn Company). Exqu...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Children's Furniture
MaterialsBeech
- 19th Century French Louis XVI Napoleon III Mahogany CabinetLocated in Forney, TXA stunning, rare and elegantly decorated Parisian Napoleon III period bedside cabinet with beautiful, original richly aged patina. Finely hand-crafted in Paris, France in the thi...Category
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Cabinets
MaterialsMarble, Brass
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Twin Headboards, Primavera Series, 1950sBy George NelsonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYPart of the Herman Miller Collection, early 1950s, these twin headboards by George Nelson are in the sought after Primavera wood. Wear appropriate with age and use, frames not availa...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood
- 1950s Pair of Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Sagaponack, NYA set of two (2) Mid-Century Modern walnut end tables / nightstands designed by George Nelson with satin-chromed legs and a lateral drawer. Made by Herman Miller in the USA, circa 19...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMetal
- 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Twin Headboard 2x AvailableBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single (two are available, though sold separately) Model 4695 George Nelson for Herman Miller twin headboard. The piece is forme...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960. Absolutely beautiful and completely restored. Measure 18" wide, 18.5" deep, 22.5" tallCategory
Vintage 1960s American Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Walnut and Leather Twin HeadboardsBy George NelsonLocated in Hopewell, NJIconic George Nelson for Herman Miller twin walnut headboards with full grain beige leather inset panels with tufting. The paneled doors lower to reveal shelf storage perfect for bo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Double / Full Sized Fabric and Teak HeadboardBy George NelsonLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century double / full-sized bed headboard with a teak wood frame and two upholstered beige panels, resting on square wooden legs.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood, Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
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.