A master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture movement. Along with Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof and Wendell Castle, Nakashima was an artisan who disdained industrial methods and materials in favor of a personal, craft-based approach to the design of chairs, coffee tables and other pieces. What sets Nakashima apart is the poetic style of his work, his reverence for wood and the belief that his furniture could evince — as he put it in the title of his 1981 memoir — The Soul of a Tree.
Born in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese immigrants, Nakashima traveled widely after college, working and studying in Paris, Japan and India, and at every stop he absorbed both modernist and traditional design influences.
The turning point in Nakashima’s career development came in the United States in 1942, when he was placed in an internment camp for Asian-Americans in Idaho. There, Nakashima met a master woodcarver who tutored him in Japanese crafting techniques. A former employer won Nakashima’s release and brought him to bucolic New Hope, Pennsylvania, where Nakashima set up a studio and worked for the rest of his life. (Master craftsperson Mira Nakashima keeps her father’s legacy alive at the George Nakashima Studio in New Hope today. She has been the artistic director of George Nakashima Woodworkers since her father's death, in 1990.)
Nakashima’s singular aesthetic is best captured in his custom-made tables and benches — pieces that show off the grain, burls and whorls in a plank of wood. He left the “free edge,” or natural contour, of the slab un-planed, and reinforced fissures in the wood with “butterfly” joints.
Almost all Nakashima seating pieces have smooth, milled edges. Nakashima also contracted with large-scale manufacturers to produce carefully supervised editions of his designs. Knoll has offered his Straight chair — a modern take on the spindle-backed Windsor chair — since 1946; the now-defunct firm Widdicomb-Mueller, the result of a merger between Widdicomb and Mueller Furniture, issued the Shaker-inspired Origins collection in the 1950s.
Nelson Rockefeller in 1973 gave Nakashima his single largest commission: a 200-piece suite for his suburban New York estate. Today, Nakashima furniture is collected by both the staid and the fashionable: his work sits in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as in the homes of Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Diane von Furstenberg and the late Steve Jobs.
Find George Nakashima Studio furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nakashima 'Cluster Base' Table with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Cluster Base' table, American black walnut, United States, 1987 This Cluster Base table by George Nakashima exemplifies the designer’s...
Walnut
George Nakashima 'Slab' Coffee Table in English Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Slab' coffee table, English walnut, United States, 1964 American woodworker and designer George Nakashima demonstrates his mastery of ...
Walnut
George Nakashima Double Sliding-Door Cabinet in Walnut and Pandanus Cloth yes
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, sideboard, American black walnut, pandanus cloth, United States, 1983. With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and refined ...
Walnut
George Nakashima 'Minguren II' Coffee Table in English Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Minguren II' coffee table, English walnut, American black walnut, United States, 1973 The Minguren II coffee table was developed in t...
Walnut
George Nakashima Set of Four 'Conoid' Chairs in Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, set of four 'Conoid' chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1962 This stunning set of four Conoid dining chairs are designed by woodwork mast...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Double Pedestal Desk with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, Double Pedestal Free-Edge writing desk, American black walnut, United States, 1969 You have encountered a truly outstanding example of ...
Walnut
George Nakashima Set of Six 'New' Dining Chairs in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, set of six ‘New’ dining chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 and 1977 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and re...
Hickory, Walnut
Exceptionally Rare Set of Eight George Nakashima 'Grass-seated Chairs'
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, set of eight 'Grass-seated Chairs', American black walnut, sea grass cord, United States, early 1960s Through its pure form, thoughtful use of materials, and exqui...
Seagrass, Walnut
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio Pair of Chests of Drawers in Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, pair of chests of drawers, walnut, United States, 1965 and circa 1973 With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, t...
Walnut
George Nakashima 'New' Armchair in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, ‘New’ armchair, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and refined joinery, this custo...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Double Sliding-Door Cabinet in American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, sideboard, American black walnut, hickory, United States, 1969 With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, this doub...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima, Coffee Table, American Black Walnut, New Hope, USA, 1982
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in High Point, NC
An American black walnut coffee table designed by George Nakashima and produced by Nakashima Studio, New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States, 1...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Freeform Coffee Table, English Walnut, Studio USA 1971
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in High Point, NC
A unique and sizable coffee / cocktail table in the "sled-shape" style. Produced by Nakashima Studio, New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States. Dated 1971 Executed in English Walnut...
Walnut
Nakashima for Knoll Splay Leg Table
By George Nakashima Studio, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This table is a simple and artistic example of George Nakashima's craftsmanship and design. Made with a hickory top and walnut legs that splay out, plus a matching walnut trim. First...
Hickory, Walnut
Pair of Studio Live Edge Solid Walnut End Tables by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage pair of side tables in solid walnut handcrafted by George Nakashima, circa 1971. This custom set features a free form table top showcasing rich grain variations supported by ...
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Leather Stool
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stool from American mid-century craftsman George Nakashima. The stool crafted of black walnut, c.1960, features a leather wrapped seat and splayed legs. The underside of the seat is ...
Leather, Seagrass, Walnut
Vintage George Nakashima Solid Walnut New Lounge Chair Rocker with Arms
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in San Jose, CA
New lounge rocking chair with arms in solid walnut by George Nakashima circa 1966. This piece features signature detailed joinery and displays well from all angles. Signed on the und...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Walnut and Hickory Spindle Back Lounge Chair with Arm, 1977
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Lounge Chair with Right Arm made in the Nakashima Studio, 1977 American black walnut with hickory spindles, single slab arm with one free edge and single slab seat ...
Hickory, Walnut
Mira Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in New York, NY
The Mira chair made of American black walnut embodies Nakashima’s belief that furniture should be lived with, carrying the wears of everyday interaction. The design is based on a mod...
Walnut
George Nakashima English Walnut Conoid Coffee Table
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coffee table from American mid-century craftsman George Nakashima. The table crafted of english walnut, c.1971 features a live edge slab table top with single spindle support and liv...
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Minguren II Coffee Table
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coffee table from American mid-century craftsman George Nakashima. The table crafted of black walnut, c.1988 features a live edge slab table top with single spindle support and live ...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Wepman Table, American Black Walnut, 1984, with documentation
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990) Wepman Occasional or End Table Nakashima Studio, USA, 1984 American black walnut single slab top with two free edges, and sapwood details. 66cm wide, 43c...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Early Conoid Coffee Table, 1962, American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Conoid Coffee Table, 1962 American black walnut single slab top with two free edges, several exposed knots, and expressive grain Inscribed to underside with client's...
Walnut
$3,765 / set
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut in the Style of Scarpa, Italy 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hellouw, NL
These dining chairs share great similarities with the designs of Afra and Tobia Scarpa and Mobil Girgi. This is a playful design that follows the rule of a dining chair. Meaning that...
Leather, Walnut
Industrial Live Edge Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Absolutely fantastic writing desk, seamlessly blending nature and machine. A sturdy live edge slab desktop offers ample workspace for any project on hand. An industrial iron base fea...
Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron
Set of Four Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Dining Chairs
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous set of four Adrian Pearsall sculptural walnut dining chairs. The set consists of two armchairs and two side chairs. They have been reupholstered in a wonderful period appropriate nubby woven fabric in a cool turquoise. We have many Adrian Pearsall table...
Upholstery, Walnut
$18,000
H 17 in W 24 in D 20.75 in
1950s George Nakashima English Walnut Shark Tooth Live Free Edge Table Wepman
By George Nakashima
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Original unmolested finish. George Nakashima walnut studio table, accompanied by authentication paperwork from the Nakashima Foundation.
Walnut
Pair of Raw Live Edge Wood Hourglass Dining Table Pedestals
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Completely unique and one of a kind twist to your traditional live edge table. These hourglass shaped pedestals are solid wood and could easily support a huge piece of glass. They wo...
Maple
Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Original Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima. About George Nakashima: George Katsutoshi Nakashima was an American woodworker, architect, an...
Walnut
$795
H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in
Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage
By Robert Heritage
Located in Leicester, GB
We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...
Hardwood
$4,500 / set
H 41 in W 20.5 in D 25 in
George Nakashima Inspired Set of Four Conoid Style Dining Chairs Mixed Hardwoods
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
For your consideration, a wonderful set of six, George Nakashima Inspired, Conoid Style dining chairs, likely from the late 70s or early 80s. These chairs are made with mixed hardwoo...
Hardwood
$1,124Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.66 in W 33.47 in D 11.82 in
Swedish Teak Hall Cabinet with Sliding Doors and Drawers, 1960s
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Elegant teak hallway cabinet from Sweden, crafted in the 1960s. The cabinet features a balanced design with two sliding doors on either side and two central drawers, providing versat...
Teak
$1,294 / set
H 30.71 in W 17.72 in D 20.87 in
1960s Antonin Suman Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut Finish, Czechoslovakia
By Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
Seat Height 41cm Fabric cleaned Wood was impregnated renewer oil signature
Fabric, Wood, Walnut
George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A George Nakashima Single Slab Coffee Table Expressive free-edged American Black Walnut Signed and dated 1967 Original Clients name available
Walnut
$4,995
H 14.75 in W 21.75 in D 63 in
Nakashima Live Edge Redwood Coffee Table with Burl Root Base, 1950s
By George Nakashima
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pictures simply don't convey the true magnificence of this piece. A sight to behold in person. This dazzling George Nakashima style redwood slab top is supported by a massive, marbl...
Burl
Sold
H 30.52 in W 29.93 in D 34.26 in
George Nakashima 'Cushion' Spindleback Lounge Chair and Ottoman in Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, 'Cushion' lounge chair and ottoman, American black walnut, fabric Pierre Frey “Chupa” Vegetale, United States, 1960s This quintessential Cus...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 31.89 in W 72.05 in D 20.08 in
George Nakashima, Double Chest of Drawers, American Black Walnut, 1955
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
GEORGE NAKASHIMA (1905-1990) Double Chest of Drawers Nakashima Studio, USA, 1955 American black walnut fitted with eight drawers 81cm high, 183cm wide, 51cm deep Accompanied by a di...
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Two Pedestal Desk, 1961
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Hamburg, PA
A George Nakashima black walnut Double Pedestal Desk. The desk was first made in 1955, this one was crafted in 1961. The desk maintains its original client's names on the underside....
Walnut
Sold
H 21.26 in W 22.45 in D 19.69 in
George Nakashima, Set of 3 Oak and Burl Oak Nesting Tables, 1960
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Set of Three Amoeba nesting tables Nakashima Studio, USA, 1960 oak burl, oak with free edges to the triangular tops, each on three turned legs the smallest table ins...
Oak, Burl
George Nakashima, Early Walnut Bench with Spindle Back, 1958
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Bench with Spindle Back Nakashima Studio, USA 1958 American black walnut, hickory, rosewood 78.5cm high, 158cm wide, 65cm deep single slab seat with one rosewood but...
Hickory, Rosewood, Walnut
George Nakashima, Walnut Pedestal Desk with Turned Legs, 1972
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990) Walnut Desk, 1972 with pedestal of one deep and two shallow drawers, raised on cross foot, to the left side and two turned legs to the right side free ed...
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Plank Stool in Walnut, Signed
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nakashima studio free-formed plank stool made from solid black American walnut. In original condition with normal wear. The bottom of the piece is...
Walnut
Sold
H 21.07 in W 40.16 in D 19.3 in
George Nakashima, Wohl Table, American Black Walnut, with Documentation
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990) Wohl Occasional or End Table Nakashima Studio, USA 1977 American black walnut single slab top with free or 'live' edges, expressive grain and sapwood det...
Walnut
Sold
H 30.75 in W 48 in D 30.5 in
Pair of George Nakashima Studio Settee Sofas in Cherry and Knoll fabric
By George Nakashima Studio
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A 1960s George Nakashima Studios armless sofa settee couch in Solid cherry. Elegant slat back with a wide variation of cherry colors that puts off a beautiful array. Poised on 4 tape...
Cherry
Sold
H 29.14 in W 83.86 in D 44.89 in
George Nakashima, American Black Walnut Free-Edge Trestle Dining Table, 1960
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990) American black walnut trestle dining table, with book-matched top featuring four rosewood butterflies and free edges. made at the Nakashima Studio, Phila...
Rosewood, Walnut
George Nakashima Grass Seat Stool
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in San Diego, CA
Grass-seated stool circa 1960s production in black walnut by George Nakashima. This stool was purchased from the family who owned them originally. Purchased from the grandson whose grandparents ordered them from new from George Naskashima. This stool was in a home with the set of 6Mira Chairs, Trestle table and 2 Grass seats. All the other pieces are in separate listings. *Price is or the stool only, not for the chair* Dimensions: 18 w x 16 d x 12.5 H Grass About the Designer: A master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture...
Seagrass, Walnut
Set of Grass Seated Chairs and Stool by George Nakashima, Circa 1960s
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
Grass-seated circa 1960s production in black walnut by George Nakashima with original seagrass seats. Also priced individually in other listings. Price is for the two chairs and stoo...
Seagrass, Walnut