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 'Minguren II' Coffee Table in English Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Minguren II' coffee table, English walnut, American black walnut, United States, 1973 The Minguren II coffee table was developed in t...
Walnut
George Nakashima 'Slab' Coffee Table in English Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Slab' coffee table, English walnut, United States, 1964 American woodworker and designer George Nakashima demonstrates his mastery of ...
Walnut
George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A George Nakashima Single Slab Coffee Table Expressive free-edged American Black Walnut Signed and dated 1967 Original Clients name available
Walnut
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...
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...
Walnut
George Nakashima Conoid Coffee Table – English Walnut with Rosewood Butterfly
By George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
This rare and completely original George Nakashima coffee table is a poetic example of the master’s ability to honor the soul of the wood. Hand-built from a single slab of English Wa...
Rosewood, Walnut
1950s George Nakashima English Walnut Shark Tooth Live Free Edge Table Wepman
By George Nakashima
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Original unmolested finish. George Nakashima walnut studio table, accompanied by authentication paperwork from the Nakashima Foundation.
Walnut
George Nakashima "Slab" Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
This George Nakashima American black walnut "Slab" Coffee Table with four East Indian rosewood butterfly keys was created in 1963, just after the publication of Nakashima's manifesto...
Wood, Rosewood, Walnut
George Nakashima, Early Conoid Coffee Table, 1962, American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Conoid Coffee Table, 1962 American black walnut single slab top with two free edges, several exposed knots, and expressive grain Inscribed to underside with client's...
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 ...
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...
Walnut
George Nakashima Origins Line Coffee Table for Widdicomb, Carpathian Elm, 1961
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Camden, ME
A rare and documented coffee table designed by George Nakashima for Widdicomb, produced as part of the Origins Line, introduced in 1958 and discontinued in 1963. This example retains...
Elm, Burl, Walnut
Mid-Century 1959 Vintage George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in London, GB
Japanese American architect, father of the American craft movement, George Nakashima is among the first generation of studio furniture makers and is cited as highly influential to th...
Walnut
Mid-Century 1980 Vintage George Nakashima Minguren II Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in London, GB
Japanese American architect, father of the American craft movement, George Nakashima primarily considered a material to be used as a starting point of his designs. He mainly worked w...
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...
Walnut
1967 George Nakashima Studio Q Bench / Coffee Table, American Black Walnut 24×60
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an important Q Bench / coffee table, designed and produced by George Nakashima's studio in 1967. The table is crafted entirely of American Black Walnut, having a thick, soli...
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Slab Top Table, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Slab Top Coffee Table, 1962, on four turned wood legs. 17" H x 46" W x 24" D. Provenance: Purchased from the artist, 1962. Fr...
Walnut
H 16.75 in W 40 in D 36 in
Martell Woodworks Claro Walnut Slab Coffee Table with Wenge Butterflies
By Martell Woodworks
Located in Mendocino, CA
This is an example of a Claro walnut slab coffee table I make, inlaid with wenge butterflies, and featuring a sculpted walnut base. The slab has bea...
Walnut, Wenge
H 28.55 in W 63 in D 51.19 in
George Nakashima 'Cluster Base' Table with Live-Edge Top
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Cluster Base' table, American black walnut, United States, 1987 This Cluster Base table by George Nakashima exemplifies the designer’s...
Walnut
H 17 in W 24 in D 20.75 in
1950s George Nakashima English Walnut Shark Tooth Live Free Edge Table Wepman
By George Nakashima
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Original unmolested finish. George Nakashima walnut studio table, accompanied by authentication paperwork from the Nakashima Foundation.
Walnut
H 15 in W 50.75 in D 24.5 in
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 ...
Walnut
H 14.25 in W 68 in D 34 in
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...
Walnut
H 28.5 in W 60 in D 30.5 in
George Nakashima Walnut Drop Leaf Table, Mid-Century Modern, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Drop Leaf Table, 1962, on four turned wood legs. 28.5" H x 60" W x 30.5" D; leaf: 10" W. Provenance: Commissioned from the ar...
Walnut
H 17 in W 46 in D 24 in
George Nakashima Walnut Slab Top Table, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut Slab Top Coffee Table, 1962, on four turned wood legs. 17" H x 46" W x 24" D. Provenance: Purchased from the artist, 1962. Fr...
Walnut
H 12 in W 66.75 in D 24.25 in
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...
Walnut
H 20.5 in W 53.75 in D 18 in
Mid Century George Nakashima “Origins” Walnut Writing Desk or Coffee Table
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Documented writing desk from George Nakashima’s Origins series, executed in richly grained walnut and produced in the United States under the auspices of the Nakashima Studio. The Or...
Walnut
H 14.75 in W 21.75 in D 63 in
Vintage Live Edge Redwood Coffee Table with Burl Root Base, Nakashima Inspired
By George Nakashima
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pictures simply don't convey the true magnificence of this piece. A sight to behold in person. This dazzling George Nakashima style redwood slab top is supported by a massive, marbl...
Burl
H 15 in W 66 in D 21 in
1960 Nakashima for Widdicomb Sundra Walnut Coffee Table
By George Nakashima Studio, John Widdicomb
Located in Bensalem, PA
Please look at video and pictures for overall detail and condition. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Rosewood, Walnut
H 16 in W 60 in D 52 in
Bastogne Walnut Single Slab Live Edge Coffee Table, in Stock
By Möbius Objects
Located in Calgary, AB
A single slab of figured Bastogne Walnut folded to create a waterfall effect over the ends of the table. An organically sculpted drawer is seamlessly tucked away into one corner. Th...
Wood, Walnut
H 13 in W 84 in D 30 in
George Nakashima Coffee Table for Widdicomb "Origins" - Sundra Model 200-84
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Decatur, GA
George Nakashima "Sundra" Cocktail table for the Widdicomb "Origins" line, circa 1950s. Model 200-84 in Carpathian Elm Burl and Indian Laurel (East Indian Walnut). At 84" in length,...
Elm, Walnut, Burl
H 13 in W 55.12 in D 27.96 in
George Nakashima, Slab Coffee Table with Free Edges, 1958
By George Nakashima Woodworkers, George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table, 1958 English walnut and American black walnut two free edges and three laurel butterflies the top measuring 140cm by 71cm at widest, 33cm high ins...
Walnut
H 13.5 in W 84 in D 32 in
George Nakashima Coffee Table Model 200-84W in Elm Burl for Widdicomb Origins
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Troy, MI
George Nakashima coffee table for Widdicomb 1960 Model 200-84w of the Origins Collection Impressive example in Carpathian Elm burl and Laurel with Sundra finish Effortlessly suppor...
Elm, Burl
H 13.39 in W 83.47 in D 21.26 in
George Nakashima, Slab I Coffee Table, American Black Walnut, 1968
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Walnut
H 21 in W 30 in D 30 in
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Side Table or Cocktail Table, Restored
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern occasional side table, coffee table, or cocktail table By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA,...
Wood
H 13 in W 66 in D 25 in
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...
Maple, Rosewood, Burl
H 16 in W 42 in D 32 in
George Nakashima Coffee Table Origins Model 272 Widdicomb, 1959
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Camden, ME
George Nakashima lift-top coffee table model 272 manufactured by Widdicomb in 1959 from his origins line. The underside of the drawer is stenciled Sundra model 272 dated 3/59. Widdic...
Brass
H 10 in W 84 in D 36 in
George Nakashima Studio Coffee Table
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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. ...
Walnut
H 10 in W 84 in D 36 in
George Nakashima Studio Coffee Table
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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. ...
Walnut
H 13.5 in W 84 in D 31 in
George Nakashima Model 200-84W Coffee Table for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A George Nakashima coffee table model 200-84W in walnut, carpathian elm and rosewood designed for Widdicomb. Beautifully restored.
Rosewood
H 15.36 in W 64.57 in D 16.15 in
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...
Walnut
H 13 in W 25 in D 66 in
George Nakashima Sundra Coffee Table for Widdicomb Model 200-66W, c1960s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Experience the epitome of mid-century modern sophistication with this remarkable George Nakashima "Sundra" Coffee Table for Widdicomb, a true treasure from the 1960s. This exceptiona...
Burl, Rosewood