George Nakashima Dressers
American, 1905-1990
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.
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Creator: George Nakashima
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Sliding Doors Dresser Credenza
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima Sliding Doors Dresser Credenza
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Gentleman's Chest for Widdicomb, Newly Restored
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, 1960
Gorgeous sc...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
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 ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
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Walnut
Large George Nakashima 12-Drawer Dresser for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
George Nakashima for Widdicomb's "Origins" Collection.
Massive 12-drawer dresser in beautiful East Indian Laurel wood with brass pulls.
Extremely heavy.
Recently polished. Mino...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Organic Modern George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Hardwood
$20,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Cherry
12 Drawer George Nakashima Dresser Origins Widdicomb 1959
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
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.
Category
1950s Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
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George Nakashima Origins Dresser for Widdicomb, 1959
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George Nakashima 'Origins' Dresser or Sideboard for Widdicomb, c. 1960, Signed
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous 'Sundra' twelve drawer dresser by George Nakashima for Widdicomb, circa 1960, features beautiful Indian Laurel wood and dramatic large brass handles, which is a much more rare and sought-after variation of this design. Refinished and ready for immediate use.
Signed in three places on this cabinet, 'Sundra' stamped underneath the solid wood top, Widdicomb label in one drawer, and "George Nakashima' stamped signature in one drawer.
Incredible and rare option for design enthusiasts, and art and design investors and collectors but also ideal for interior designers looking to add some sophisticated refinement into an interior project.
Nakashima designed the Origins Collection for Widdicomb in 1959 featuring rare woods such as Carpathian Elm, Indian Laurel wood, Walnut and Rosewood and was noted for the fine craftsmanship and attention to the natural beauty of the wood.
Nakashima and Widdicomb described the collection as “a subtle elimination of straight lines; almost all pieces have edges that are beveled back ten degrees; many tops overhang substantially more than is usual; and upholstered pieces achieve a “forward thrust” due to the canting of the legs.” The only finish offered on the Indian Laurel wood in the collection was the Sundra finish, sanskrit for “thing of beauty,” a nod to Nakashima’s time in India.
This gorgeous George Nakashima 'Sundra' chest of drawers or side board cabinet...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
H 32.25 in W 105.25 in D 22.5 in
George Nakashima Origins Dresser for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Walnut dresser by George Nakashima for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Widdicomb, c.1960s for their "Origins" collection. The dresser features seven drawers down the left side and four petite drawers on the top right, all finished with brass pulls. The lower right corner of the dresser showcases a stunning burl wood grain cabinet...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Dressers
Materials
Brass
George Nakashima dressers for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nakashima dressers 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 dressers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original dressers by George Nakashima 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 dressers by Russel Wright, Knoll, and R-Way Furniture Company. Prices for George Nakashima dressers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $32,495 and can go as high as $32,495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $32,495.
Creators Similar to George Nakashima
Questions About George Nakashima Dressers
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022George 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, 2022No, 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, 2022To 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, 2022To 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, 2022Which 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.
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