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.
George Nelson Herman Miller Miniature Chest # 5215
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual version of the George Nelson miniature/jewelry chest #5215. This one features the white formica on the bottom of the case not the top as is more typical. Teak wood constructi...
Walnut
Amazing Thin Edge Sideboard by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful mirrored rosewood veneer.
Rosewood
George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Profile Cabinet
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Profile Cabinet. Uncommon little cabinet that does not take up much space. Please request additional photos and condition report. Some light wear. ...
Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Group Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spectacular rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, fi...
Rosewood
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet Model 4036 For Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame credenza cabinet 'model 4036' was designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. The cabinet featur...
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Chest / Dresser Cabinet for Herman Miller # 4935
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted dresser chest or cabinet standing on shorter legs in a dark ebony finish with side door having two adjustable shelves . The other side has five drawers , all with...
Stainless Steel
George Nelson Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson BSC cabinet for Herman Miller, c.1950's, USA. The design features a two door walnut cabinet with interior shelves. Each cabinet door has a polished aluminum pull. The c...
Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Credenza, Model 5724, 1957
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Credenza, Model 5724, 1957 Beautifully grained walnut case with quarter-sawn walnut doors. Features four drawers and a pair of doors conceal...
Aluminum
$7,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Pair George Nelson Primavera Bachelor Chest Cabinet Mid-Century X Pulls
By George Nelson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Remarkably iconic and rare pair of walnut bachelors chests designed by George Nelson for the Herman Miller, Primavera line, circa 1950s. We love that these are the same size but hav...
Metal
Glass Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid walnut open cabinet or vitrine with three adjustable glass shelves and a solid glass paneled back.
Glass, Walnut
$4,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Three-Piece George Nelson Cabinetry Display Case Unit
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Two small chests support the glass front display unit, vitrine. This versatile set can be used as shown, or separated into two dressers and a long glass display case. Selling three p...
Walnut
$5,547Sale Price|40% Off
Alexander Girard & George Nelson Inc. Wall Mounted Vanity, Model 1030
By George Nelson, Alexander Girard
Located in Seattle, WA
An unusual and rare wall mounted vanity from the 1964 Herman Miller accessory line to the CSS storage system. A collaborative design by Alexander Girard...
Aluminum
Rare Pair George Nelson Herman Miller Bachelors Chest Mid-Century
By George Nelson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare pair of original turquoise finish George Nelson bachelors chests. We have never seen another piece of George Nelson for Herman Miller done in this finish-might have been custom...
Wood
George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Double Dresser
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, finished with ...
Rosewood
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /Cabinets
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.
Metal, Chrome
1960 George Nelson 8000 Series EOG Credenza for Herman Miller with Walnut Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous 8000 series Executive Office Group sliding-door cabinet / credenza, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller. This example dates to circa...
Wood, Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Series Walnut Two Door Cabinet - Pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Basic Series Walnut Two Door Cabinet - Pair Each cabinet measures: 40 wide x 18.5 deep x 39.75 inches high All pieces of furniture can b...
Walnut
George Nelson & Alexander Girard Wall Mounted Cabinet, 1964
By George Nelson
Located in Coronado, CA
An extremely uncommon wall-mounted cabinet designed collaboratively by George Nelson and Alexander Girard in 1964 as part of the Herman Miller accessory line. The cabinet features tw...
Laminate, Walnut, Paint
C. 1955 George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Drop-Front Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Series Secretary Chest, circa 1955. The Basic Cabinet Series, or BCS, was a collection of wood storage solutions developed by Nelson i...
Zinc
1950 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Two Door Cabinet in Walnut
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a two-door cabinet designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller circa 1950. This is a gorgeous original example, which appears remarkably intact. As not...
Brass
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller BCS Walnut Three Drawer Cabinet (no bench)
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with four drawers, Model 4606, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. T...
Metal
George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood Cabinet for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Craig Ellwood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cabinet from George Nelson’s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller modified by architect Craig Ellwood for one of his homes. The design features a slender rosewood case with four ...
Aluminum
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller BCS Three Drawer Cabinet (No Bench)
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with three drawers, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. It features ...
Metal
George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood thin edge cabinet / bookshelf designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Rosewood
George Nelson For Herman Miller Walnut Gentlemans Chest With Shelves
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic George Nelson for Herman Miller Gentlemans chest was designed in the mid 1940s and features a striking burnt orange laquer finish on the front paired with dark walnut sur...
Aluminum
George Nelson For Herman Miller Walnut Gentlemans Chest With Clothing Rod
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This iconic George Nelson for Herman Miller Gentlemans chest was designed in the mid 1940s and features a striking burnt orange laquer finish on the front paired with dark walnut sur...
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Group Dresser
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spectacular rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, fi...
Rosewood
Mid-Century Pair Walnut Two Door Cabinet George Nelson Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Baltimore, MD
Remarkably Iconic rare pair of double door cabinets designed by George Nelson for the Herman Miller, Primavera line circa 1950s. Iconic pi...
Metal
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Cabinet Series Three-Door Cabinet Bar
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Door Basic Cabinet Series bar in walnut, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular piece was produced ca.1950. Three cabinet door...
Steel
C. 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Three Drawer Cabinet 34x24x18 in
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with three drawers, Model 4603, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. ...
Steel