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 vintage George Nakashima furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nakashima Conoid Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Conoid Chair Early production (1964) Signed with clients name, copy of original order card provided Walnut construction ...
Walnut
Early Mid-Century Modern Spindle Back George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A classic & very early George Nakashima design, the spindle back straight chair. This 1940's example is made of solid Birch with signature saddle seat. Probably refinished at some po...
Wood
George Nakashima Mira Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Walnut Mira Chair Original Surface Marked Showroom on underside of Chair Seat
Walnut
George Nakashima Captain's Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Captain's Chair Beautiful original Dark Surface wonderful spline details Clients name to underside of the chair
Walnut
Exceptionally Rare Set of Eight George Nakashima 'Grass-seated Chairs'
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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 Dining or Desk Chair Mira Model
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
Iconic Sculptural "Mira" Model Chair, made by George Nakashima Studio, American, circa 1960s. This chair was named for George's daughter Mira, who later took over his studio after he...
Hickory, Walnut
$10,500 / set
Rare Early Pair of George Nakashima "New Chairs"
By George Nakashima
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An iconic pair of early circa 1952 George Nakashima "New Chairs" masterfully constructed out of walnut. Letter of authenticity included.
Walnut
Set of Six George Nakashima Dining Chairs for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six dining chairs by George Nakashima for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Widdicomb, c.1960s. The walnut and hickory set consists of four side chairs and two armchairs. T...
Walnut, Hickory
George Nakashima Studio Straight Back Chair Mid Century American Craft
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Original "Straight Back" Model Chair, made by George Nakashima Studio, American, circa 1961. The chair features a multi-plank seat. Signed with client name to underside ‘Gelf...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Slab-Arm Rocker
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this form. The family requested an extra wide slab -arm. Signed with the clients name.
Wood
George Nakashima Straight Back Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Straight Back Chair Walnut and Hickory Construction Single Board carved Sap Grained Seat Signed George Nakashima to underside of chair Seat
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
Fauteuil Origins by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in LAMBLORE, FR
Ce fauteuil, conçue par George Nakashima, illustre parfaitement son approche artisanale et poétique du bois. Réalisée en noyer massif, elle combine des lignes épurées à une structure...
Walnut
Pair of George Nakashima Captain's Dining Chairs in Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of George Nakashima Captain's Dining Chairs in Walnut.
Walnut
C. 1947 George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chair in Light Wood
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an N19 Straight Chair, originally designed by George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946. This particular example was produced in the United States circa 1947. This early straight ch...
Wood
George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...
Walnut
Straight Chair by George Nakashima for Knoll & Associates
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early production straight chair with spindles and a shaped seat on four splayed, tapered dowel legs.
Hickory
George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...
Walnut
1960s Arne Hovmand-Olsen Captain’s Chair
Located in High Point, NC
This captain’s chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The curved back and tapered legs of this elegant chair show off the beautiful patina of the teak....
Jute, Teak
$2,000 / item
H 30 in W 16 in D 18 in
Walnut Wood and Cork Chair, Dining or Writing Desk Chair, Porto Chair
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
The Porto chair embraces the fusion of timeless elegance and functional minimalism. This streamlined chair complements your urban wood dining table or writing desk in the office. Wit...
Wood
Set of Eight English Ladderback Rush-Seat Chairs
Located in Austin, TX
A fine set of eight English ladder-back wooden chairs with handsome woven rush seats. Featuring nicely-turned legs and supports, slight variation from chair to chair. A classic rus...
Rush, Wood
Model No. 3 Desk or Writing Chair by Thonet, 1900's
By Thonet
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
A very nice desk or writing chair by Thonet. It is fabricated in the Czech Republic around 1900. This chair was originally designed at the second half of the 19th century and can be...
Wood
George Nakashima Slab-Arm Rocker
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this form. The family requested an extra wide slab -arm. Signed with the clients name.
Wood
$2,950
H 29.25 in W 16 in D 17.5 in
George Nakashima Studio Straight Back Chair Mid Century American Craft
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Original "Straight Back" Model Chair, made by George Nakashima Studio, American, circa 1961. The chair features a multi-plank seat. Signed with client name to underside ‘Gelf...
Hickory, Walnut
$2,895
H 35.5 in W 22.5 in D 20.5 in
English Windsor Armchair of Ash and Elm with Captain's Wheel Back
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Windsor armchair of elm and ash woods from Georgian era England, featuring a bowed top rail over a pierced splat with spoked captain's wheel and spindle back, elegant serpenti...
Wood, Ash, Elm
Rare Early Pair of George Nakashima "New Chairs"
By George Nakashima
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An iconic pair of early circa 1952 George Nakashima "New Chairs" masterfully constructed out of walnut. Letter of authenticity included.
Walnut
19th Century English Captain's Chair
Located in High Point, NC
19th century captain's chair from England. The chair is made from oak and has a seat made from elm. This type of chair was made for sitting for long periods of time and is very com...
Elm, Oak
Wooden Chair in style of George Nakashima, 1970
By George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful tall wooden chair in style of George Nakashima, 1970
Wood
$2,000
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 17.75 in
C. 1947 George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chair in Light Wood
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an N19 Straight Chair, originally designed by George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946. This particular example was produced in the United States circa 1947. This early straight ch...
Wood
George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair.” The de...
Walnut
George Nakashima New Chair With Arms
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima New Chair With Arms Walnut and Hickory Single board carved Seat with Prominent Sap Streaking Marked Showroom on underside ...
Walnut
Sold
H 27.96 in W 20.48 in D 19.3 in
George Nakashima Grass-seated Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By George Nakashima
Located in Zürich, CH
Here we see the principle of the Japanese wabi-sabi, which refers to embracing imperfections and underlining impermanence. Rustic aspects, simplicity, modesty, and austerity offer a ...
Grasscloth, Mahogany
George Nakashima Black Walnut Captain Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Captain chair from American midcentury craftsman George Nakashima. The black walnut chair has a curved, peaked backrest atop carved spindles, inspired by the Windsor chair and Shaker...
Walnut
George Nakashima Grass Seat Chairs
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A set of 4 Grass Seat Chairs by George Nakashima. Nice patina to both wood and grass seats. Original owners name available
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Grass Seated Chair
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grass-seated chair from circa 1950s production in black walnut by George Nakashima for Nakashima Studios with original seagrass seat. Dimensions 24" width x 19" depth x 27.5" height...
Walnut, Seagrass
George Nakashima , Conoid Chair , 70s , SAKURA SEISAKUJYO , B
By George Nakashima
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
George Nakashima , Conoid Chair , 70s , SAKURA SEISAKUJYO
Walnut
George Nakashima , Conoid Chair , 70s , SAKURA SEISAKUJYO , A
By George Nakashima
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
George Nakashima , Conoid Chair , 70s , SAKURA SEISAKUJYO
Walnut
1940s Straight Chair by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Nice early production, Straight chair designed by George Nakashima for Knoll,, Nine spindles and a shaped seat on four splayed ,tapered dowel leg. Wonderful example. nice original f...
Hickory
Pair of George Nakashima Captain's Chairs
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of George Nakashima Chairs. Beautiful original finish. Original clients name on underside of the seat. Elegant details include splines on the ba...
Walnut
George Nakashima New Chairs
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Pair of chairs designed by George Nakashima and made by Widddicomb in the late 1950s as part of their ‘Origins’ line. Known as ‘New’ chairs, these have solid...
Hickory, Walnut
Pair of George Nakashima New Chairs
By George Nakashima
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of rare and early model 271 or New Chairs, the iconic Windsor spindle back chairs reimagined by Japanese-American Master Woodworker, George Nakashima in 1956. East Indian Laurel wood...
Hickory, Walnut