Skip to main content

George Nakashima Studio Tables

American

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.

to
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
4
8
6
2
8
3
5
1
1
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
6
765
699
609
468
Creator: George Nakashima Studio
George Nakashima, Freeform Coffee Table, English Walnut, Studio USA 1971
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
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...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

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...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Boat-Shaped Trestle Dining Table
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, boat-shaped ‘trestle’ dining table, cherry, rosewood, United States, 1982 This exquisite dining table was designed by George Nakashima ...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima, Wepman Table, American Black Walnut, 1984, with documentation
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima, Slab I Coffee Table, American Black Walnut, 1968
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima, Slab I Coffee Table, Nakashima Studio, USA 1968 American black walnut single slab top with two free edges, sap grain details, exposed knots, and bark pockets, clie...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

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...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

Related Items
Nakashima Style Live Edge Walnut Slab Coffee Table
Located in Skokie, IL
Nakashima Style Live Edge Walnut Slab Coffee Table This free-form, live edge coffee table was hand-carved by an unknown craftsman from a substantial slab of black walnut. This slab ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Rustic George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Oak, Walnut

George Nakashima for Knoll Studio Splay Leg Table
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Don't miss out on your chance to bring home a piece of legendary design with this iconic partnership between George Nakashima and Hans and Florence Knoll. The "Splay-Leg Table", orig...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Hickory, Walnut

Hana Walnut Trestle Dining Table
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Hana Trestle Dining table is our take on the classic trestle form, beloved by both the shakers and their distant woodworking cousins, the Jap...
Category

2010s American Shaker George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

Hana Walnut Trestle Dining Table
Hana Walnut Trestle Dining Table
H 30 in W 32 in D 66 in
Classic Walnut Modernist Table , manner of George Nakashima
By Frank Lloyd Wright, George Nakashima
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Walnut Modernist Table , manner of George Nakashima / Frank Lloyd Wright,, Great design..
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima
Walnut Coffee Table by George Nakashima
H 12 in W 66.75 in D 24.25 in
George Nakashima Table
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Spectacular "Q" Table/Bench Created in 1964 by George Nakashima, Expressive Free edge Walnut and very long table for Nakashima Table Signed with a Rom...
Category

1960s American Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Table
George Nakashima Table
H 13.5 in W 96 in D 18 in
George Nakashima Free Edge 'Slab I' Coffee Table in Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Slab I' coffee table, American black walnut, United States, 1958 American woodworker and designer George Nakashima proves with this qu...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

New Hope Coffee Table - Michael Oates
By Michael Oates
Located in Alpha, NJ
Hand crafted live edge slab cantilever coffee table. Made from highly figured wood with a variety of wood species choice. The table is designed and made by designer Michael Oates. Dr...
Category

2010s American George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Sapele Wood

George Nakashima Triangular Cherry Table
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Cherry Wepman Table Large form with legs posting through the top Expressive Free edge
Category

1950s American Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Cherry

George Nakashima Triangular Cherry Table
George Nakashima Triangular Cherry Table
H 21.5 in W 40.5 in D 21 in
Live Edge Solid Slab Coffee Table or Bench in the Style of George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible midcentury live edge or free edge solid slab coffee table or bench in the style of George Nakashima. It is in wonderful vintage condition with normal wear, circa 1950s-198...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Wood

George Nakashima for Widdicomb Model 200-66w "Sundra" Coffee Table Rosewood/Burl
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by American icon George Nakahsima, this coffee table was made for Widdicomb. In the 1960s, Widdicomb allowed Nakashima design to reach more people with more attainable prici...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Maple, Rosewood, Burl

George Nakashima Cluster base Round Dining Table
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Rarely seen example re-oiled top original clients name is available.
Category

1960s American Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

Previously Available Items
George Nakashima, Wohl Table, American Black Walnut, with Documentation
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima, American Black Walnut Free-Edge Trestle Dining Table, 1960
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

George Nakashima Trestle Table and set of 6 Mira Chairs
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
George Nakashima built Iconic Trestle Table. One of our earliest designs of George Nakashima, this piece was inspired by the simple lifestyle of early American Shakers. The knock-do...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Studio Black Walnut Dining Set
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining set from American midcentury craftsman George Nakashima. The set features a large round black walnut dining table with four splayed tapered dowel legs The table top showcases ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Studio 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.1969 features a live edge table top geometric slab base with one tapered leg. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Studio 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.1969 features a live edge table top geometric slab base with one tapered leg. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima, Pedestal End Table in American Black Walnut, 1973
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
American black walnut pedestal end table, designed by George Nakashima and created in the George Nakashima studio at New Hope, Pennsylvania, US. Irregular triangle top showcasing th...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima, Minguren II Walnut Coffee Table, Signed and Dated 1984
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima, Minguren II Coffee Table in Persian walnut and American black walnut, featuring a single slab top with burl detail and bark pockets signed and dated to underside 'G...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Studio Black Walnut Dining Table
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining table from American midcentury craftsman George Nakashima. The black walnut table features four splayed tapered dowel legs which support a large round table top. The table top showcases...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Coffee Table in Black Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nakashima coffee table in black walnut, solid live-edge top with exotic figured rinnge with solid turned legs.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Free Edge Slab Coffee Table in English Walnut 1950s
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Free Edge Slab Coffee Table in English walnut with rosewood butterfly by George Nakashima, American 1950's. Table features a single slab top with free edges, expressive figured grain, and one rosewood butterfly. A beautiful example of George Nakashima’s work. Reference: George Nakashima Full Circle by Derek E. Ostergard for the American Craft Museum of the Museum Craft Council, published in 1989, on pages 118 and 119 is a photo and description of a Slab Coffee Table. Provenance: Private Collection Boston. Purchased by this owner from Peter Roberts Antiques...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut, Rosewood

George Nakashima Walnut Occasional Table
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut occasional table from the New Hope, Pennsylvania Studio of George Nakashima. The rectangular table is minimal in design and features lo...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Studio Tables

Materials

Walnut

George Nakashima Studio tables for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nakashima Studio tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nakashima Studio tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by George Nakashima Studio were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Joseph D'Urso, William Doezema, and Monteverdi-Young. Prices for George Nakashima Studio tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $23,500 and can go as high as $184,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $65,000.
Questions About George Nakashima Studio Tables
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    George Nakashima is perhaps best known for developing the butterfly joint. This construction method involves connecting pieces with a third piece of wood shaped like a butterfly. The joint forms a strong, sturdy connection and stabilizes pieces to fight the effects of wood expansion. On 1stDibs, shop a range of George Nakashima furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    No, George Nakashima didn’t usually sign the majority of his works. Instead, he normally added the name of the client to the timber selected to start the project. The writing usually appears in simple black marker. ​​On 1stDibs, find a variety of George Nakashima furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To identify George Nakashima furniture, start by looking for the name of the original client written in black marker. He usually wrote the name on the underside of a piece of furniture. Order cards and shop drawings can also help authenticate his work. On 1stDibs, find a selection of expertly vetted George Nakashima furniture.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To address wood expansion, George Nakashima pioneered the butterfly joint. This technique uses a butterfly-shaped piece of wood as an anchor. When wood expands, the butterfly joint prevents the pieces from splitting apart. Butterfly joints are strong and increase the overall durability of his wood furniture. On 1stDibs, find a collection of George Nakashima.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Which chair is best for a George Nakashima Origins for Widdicomb desk is largely a matter of preference. George Nakashima chairs with Shaker-inspired spindle backs like the Mira and Conoid tend to complement the lines of the desks in the collection. However, you can mix and match styles to create an eclectic look. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of George Nakashima desks and chairs.

Recently Viewed

View All