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 Double Sliding-Door Cabinet in Walnut and Pandanus Cloth yes
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
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 Wall-Mounted Sideboard in Walnut and Pandanus Cloth
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, sliding-door wall-mounted cabinet, American black walnut, pandanus cloth, United States, 1963 This wall mounted sliding door cabinet is a striking example of Georg...
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 Studio Craft 8 Drawer Dresser in American Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
A true heirloom of American Studio Craft, this George Nakashima solid walnut dresser embodies everything collectors cherish about Nakashima’s work: honesty of materials, quiet master...
Walnut
Free Edge George Nakashima 2-Door Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early cabinet consisting of 2 sliding doors concealing 4 drawers and a shelf. George Nakshima sliding door cabinet Open shelf on 1 side, 4 drawers...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Large Chest of Drawers, Walnut, for Widdicomb, America 1960s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in High Point, NC
A large walnut chest of drawers or dresser designed by George Nakashima. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, A...
Bouclé, Walnut
George Nakashima Turned Wood Dowel Shape Leg Single Pedestal Small Desk Mint
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima turned wood dowel shape leg single pedestal small desk mint with documents.
Walnut
George Nakashima, Mid-Century Modern, Sap Walnut, Rare Dresser, USA, 1958
By George Nakashima
Located in Manhasset, NY
George Nakashima, Mid-Century Modern, Rare Double Chest of Drawers, Sap Walnut, c. 1958 Double chest of drawers designed by George Nakashima for Nakashima Studios circa 1958. This e...
Walnut
Walnut Sideboard with Top Shelf by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece custom sideboard pr credenza handcrafted by George Nakashima, circa 1969 in his new hope studio. It is constructed with American black walnut with solid oak interiors. Th...
Walnut, Oak
George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Gentleman's Chest for Widdicomb, Newly Restored
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1960 Gorgeous sc...
Brass
George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Dresser for Widdicomb, Newly Restored
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern monumental triple dresser, sideboard, or credenza By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1961...
Brass
George Nakashima Studio Craft 8 Drawer Dresser
By George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
A true heirloom of American Studio Craft, this George Nakashima solid walnut dresser embodies everything collectors cherish about Nakashima’s work: honesty of materials, quiet master...
Walnut
1954 George Nakashima Studio Triple Sliding Door Cabinet / Credenza Black Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous 1954 George Nakashima Studio triple sliding door cabinet /credenza in American black walnut. This is an early piece, representing a number of refined ea...
Walnut
George Nakashima East Indian Laurel Wood Gentleman's Chest for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1959 Gorgeous ex...
Brass
Hanging Cabinet by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
This rare and unique walnut hanging cabinet by George Nakashima is a beautiful and functional piece of modern furniture with sliding doors. The cabinet features an overhang top with one free edge above two doors that conceal one adjustable shelf. Crafted from high-quality American black walnut wood, this cabinet has been fully restored at the Nakashima workshop...
Walnut
George Nakashima 6 Foot Free Edge Corner Counter Shelf or Console, Signed, 1971
By George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A corner-mounted counter shelf or floating console table by George Nakashima comprising a single slab in American black walnut with two free edges, signe...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Mid-Century Modern, Sap Walnut, Rare Nightstand, USA, 1957
By George Nakashima
Located in Manhasset, NY
George Nakashima, Mid-Century Modern, Sap Walnut, Rare Chest of Drawers or Single Dresser, USA, 1957 Single Rectilinear chest designed by George Nakashima (1905-1990) for Nakashima ...
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 Widdicomb Model 205 MCM Walnut and Carpathian Elm Sideboard
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Model 205 Mid Century Walnut and Carpathian Elm Sideboard Credenza This credenza measures: 84 wide x 22 deep x 32.25 inches high Great Vintage Condit...
Elm, Walnut
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Long Dresser Credenza Cabinet Burl Sliding Doors
By George Nakashima, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima for widdicomb long dresser credenza cabinet burl sliding doors mint!
Walnut, Burl
George Nakashima black american walnut chest of drawers 1955
By George Nakashima
Located in Paris, IDF
This dresser crafted from American black walnut is a stunning testament to George Nakashima's craftsmanship. Created upon the request of a private client in 1955, the angular shapes ...
Walnut
George Nakashima Sliding Doors Dresser Credenza
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima Sliding Doors Dresser Credenza
Walnut
George Nakashima, Mid-Century Modern, American Walnut, Rare Dresser, USA, 1953
By George Nakashima
Located in Manhasset, NY
George Nakashima, American Studio, Mid-Century Modern, Rare Cabinet or Dresser, USA, 1953 Rare opportunity to acquire a special order cabinet designed and produced by George Nakashi...
Walnut
Exceptional George Nakashima Dresser for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
We are thrilled to present this fantastic George Nakashima Dresser. Manufactured for Widdicomb's "Origins" Collection in the 1950s. This is a large 12-drawer dresser in beautiful E...
Hardwood
$16,500Sale Price|25% Off
12 Drawer George Nakashima Dresser Origins Widdicomb 1959
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Camden, ME
George Nakashima 12 drawer dresser from his Origins line of Wiiddicomb furniture.(1958 - 1963 ) The dresser is in East Indian Laurel and has magnificent graining. The front edge of t...
Brass
George Nakashima Walnut and Brass Monumental Cabinet for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
A very rare Monumental triple dresser, sideboard, or credenza By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection, USA, 1950s. Made with sculpted walnut, with original ...
Brass
George Nakashima Walnut Sideboard, 1961
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A walnut sideboard 60" in width, straight edge top, wood doors, sub sap streak top and sides, 4 drawers on left and shelves on right. Documentation included.
Walnut
George Nakashima 8 Drawer Cherry Chest, Mid-Century
By George Nakashima
Located in Toledo, OH
Studio crafted chest by George Nakashima (1905-1990). This cherry chest features a 3 plank top with expressive grain and sap grain detail above 8 drawers. Beautifully dovetailed case...
Cherry
George Nakashima Origins Dresser for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nakashima design dresser for his Origins line by Widdicomb, 1959. Dramatic wood grain figuring throughout the body of the case and trapezoidal shape top extending to 105"in. w...
Brass
Hanging Cabinet by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
This rare and unique walnut hanging cabinet by George Nakashima is a beautiful and functional piece of modern furniture with sliding doors. The cabinet features an overhang top with one free edge above two doors that conceal one adjustable shelf. Crafted from high-quality American black walnut wood, this cabinet has been fully restored at the Nakashima workshop...
Walnut