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 American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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 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 Dressing Table, Vanity, Origins, Widdicomb - Mueller, 1957
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Culver City, CA
People might see this piece and think: “oh, cute… a little dressing table," but this is an extremely rare masterclass in design. This is a rare George Nakashima Origins dressing tab...
Wood
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio Pair of Chests of Drawers in Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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, 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 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
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 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
George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Dresser for Widdicomb, Newly Restored
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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 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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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 "Origins" dresser for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Coronado, CA
This seldom seen single dresser was designed in 1958 by George Nakashima for American furniture company Widdicomb. By the time the mid 1950s arrived Nakashima had already produced on...
Bronze
$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 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
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 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 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
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 Walnut and Brass Monumental Cabinet for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers, C. 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Westport, CT
One of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings classics, designed for The Widdicomb Furniture Company, circa 1950-1950. This walnut chest of drawers or highboy features five large drawers providing a...
Nickel
$1,137Sale 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
$648Sale Price|20% Off
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
George III Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Woodbury, CT
A beautifully proportioned small scale English, walnut five-drawer chest with inset self-band on top and crossbanded drawer fronts; supported on bracket feet. Brass teardrop pulls wi...
Walnut
Pair of Small English Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Westwood, NJ
Constructed from mid-tone walnut-figured veneer, these exquisite chests showcase rich grain patterns that enhance its sophisticated appeal. The three cockbeaded soft-close drawers of...
Wood
Lago Wall Mounted Sideboard Four Silvered Glass Doors
By Daniele Lago
Located in Hanover, MA
Wall mounted floating sideboard by Daniele Lago model 36e8 with four reverse antiqued silvered doors and a grey satin wood case floating on three cast aluminum L brackets. Four doors...
Art Glass, Wood
Louis Philippe Sideboard In Walnut
Located in Beaune, FR
Louis Philippe style sideboard in solid walnut opening with 4 doors and 2 drawers. Good condition and beautiful original patina. Dimensions Height 1m10 Width 1m94 Depth 67cm
Walnut
Danish Modern Teak Chest of Drawers by Lyby Mobler, 1960s Design
By Arne Vodder, Lyby Mobler, Laurits M. Larsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A well crafted Danish Modern teak chest of drawers by Lyby Mobler, Denmark, circa 1960s. This refined cabinet exemplifies the understated sophistication of mid-century Scandinavian d...
Teak
$6,000
H 40 in W 40 in D 19 in
George Nelson Walnut One-Door 5 Drawers Gentleman's High Chest Dresser Cabinet
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut George Nelson for Herman Miller Storage five drawers cabinet dresser gentleman's high chest.
Walnut
English George I Walnut Chest of Drawers, 18th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
Classic traditional English George I period chest of drawers with solid walnut sides and highly figural walnut veneers on the drawer fronts and top surface. Having very old if not or...
Brass
1960s Sideboard in walnut veneer, Vintage
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic sideboard from the 1960s. High-quality corpus in walnut veneer with three drawers, three doors, two shelves and and new stainless steel feet in Bauhaus design. Very good wo...
Wood
Walnut Media Console Room Divider with Sliding Shoji Doors
By Brian Holcombe
Located in Princeton, NJ
Walnut cabinet made by hand and featuring sliding shoji doors and shelves. This cabinet is constructed utilizing time honored joinery techniques featured in...
Walnut
George Nakashima Triple-Door Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima triple sliding door cabinet, made in walnut, United States, 1963. Cabinet with three sliding doors and four drawers behind each door, executed in walnut with tradi...
Walnut
George Nakashima Wall-Mounted Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, in walnut, oak and pandanus, by George Nakashima, United States 1960s. Exceptional cabinet by master woodworker George Nakashima. This wall-mounted case has two spindle sliding doors with pandanus cloth. The cabinet shows the great craftsmanship of Nakashima. Especially visible in the hand-cut dovetail joints. Signed with the client's name on the back of the cabinet. Dovetail are one the most difficult joints in woodworking and require great skills. The Nakashima shop has maintained this time-consuming procedure both as a measure of excellence and a kind of spiritual training for the workmen. George Katsutoshi Nakashima (1905-1990) was an American woodworker, architect and furniture designer. He was the founder of the American Craft Movement and played an important role in 20th century furniture design. From the 1940s on Nakashima started to make and design furniture. His work is characterized by organic and natural shapes of wood and an outrageous quality in woodworking. He used traditional Japanese handtools and difficult joinery techniques like dovetailjoints. His signature pieces are the slab tables, which have a smooth surface and unfinished natural edges. The Nakashima workshop...
Oak, 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 2 Door Grill Front Pandanus Cloth Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima 2 Door Grill Front Cabinet American Black Walnut 2 original shelves Clients name on back of the cabinet copy of studio order card
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
Six Drawer Dresser George Nakashima Origins Widdicomb 1962
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Camden, ME
Vintage George Nakashima six drawer dresser for the Widdicomb Orgins Line (1958-1963) in walnut wood with oil finish. The angled asymmetric on...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.25 in W 105.5 in D 22 in
George Nakashima Monumental Sculpted East Indian Laurel Wood Dresser
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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, Circ...
Brass
Sold
H 34.25 in W 48 in D 15 in
George Nakashima East Indian Laurel Wood Bookcase or Hutch for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern bookcase cabinet or hutch By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, Circa 1960 Gorgeous sculpted East I...
Brass
George Nakashima Sculpted East Indian Laurel Wood Sliding Door Credenza
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern sliding door sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1960s...
Walnut
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Dresser
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A large George Nakashima for Widdicomb dresser with beautifully grained East Indian Laurel and brass pulls. Beautifully restored.
Walnut
George Nakashima Three Door Wall Hanging Cabinet 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Studio wall-mounted cabinet by woodworker George Nakashima, 1962. Executed in American Black Walnut with Pandanus cloth doors that reveal four drawers and shelves. Provenance and ori...
Walnut
Nakashima Dresser for Widdicomb Origins
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Nakashima Dresser for Widdicomb Orgins Line in walnut wood with oil finish, The angeled One inch-thick top overhangs a six-drawer case with carved horizontal handles. Solid-turned wa...
Walnut