George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
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. 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.
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 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.
39
1
to
5
32
8
40
39
39
36
2
39
1
28
6
7
10
4
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
40
23
6
5
3
31
31
4
2
1
108
328
211
162
149
Creator: George Nakashima
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Maple, Rosewood, Burl
George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning George Nakashima Slab Coffee Table, Walnut. 1960.
Table features a single slab top with three free edges, expressive figured grain, sap grain detail, and one exposed knot.
S...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Exceptional And Large Coffee Table, English Oak Burl, 1970s.
By George Nakashima
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This exceptional free-form coffee table hails from England in the 1970s.
Crafted from English oak burl.
The sublime English oak burl slab is distinguished by its dramatic, undulati...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Oak, Burl
Live Edge Solid Elm Wood Coffee Table 1950s
By George Nakashima
Located in Tilburg, NL
Live Edge Solid Elm Wood Coffee Table 1950s
A true gem this is, this live edge coffee table. Made by an unknown woodworker in the 1950s, in beautiful solid Elm wood. Its appearance ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Modern Studio Made Live Edge Coffee Table in Walnut & Elm Woods
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made by an unknown woodworker in the Bucks County PA area c. 1990's. Beautifully designed and constructed, having solid walnut & elm. Excellent ready to use condition.
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Elm, Walnut
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. ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Live Edge Solid Slab Coffee Table or Bench in the Style of George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible midcentury live edge or free edge solid slab coffee table or bench in the style of George Nakashima. It is in wonderful vintage condition with normal wear, circa 1950s-198...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nakashima, Minguren II Walnut Coffee Table, Signed and Dated 1984
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Sundra Coffee Table for Widdicomb Model 200-66W, c1960s
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Burl, Rosewood
Live Edge Redwood Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
Live edge redwood coffee table, American, circa 1950s. This coffee table features a beautiful freeform live edge top, supported by sculp...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nakashima Free Edge Slab Coffee Table in Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, free edge slab coffee table, walnut, United States, 1958
American woodworker and designer George Nakashima proves with this quintessential table that he is a true ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima, "Slab" Coffee Table, Oak Burl, Oak, New Hope, USA, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in High Point, NC
An oak burl and oak "Slab" coffee table designed and produced by George Nakashima, New Hope, Pennsylvania, USA, 1962.
The top presents with a "butterfly joint" typical of Nakashima.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Oak
Midcentury Live Edge Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A fabulous are rare piece from the 50s Made in Honolulu, Hawaii at Harry’s Cabinet and Curio Shop. The shop was well known for making furniture and gift items with Monkey Pod wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Midcentury American Studio Craft Walnut Bench or Coffee Table Phillip Powell
By George Nakashima, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Great midcentury American Studio Craft Arts solid beautiful Hardwood & walnut Long Coffee table or bench . Gorgeous black walnut joined sections on solid Ash wood turned legs...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Walnut, Ash
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...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Midcentury Studio Craft Large Free Edge Slab Top Walnut Bench or Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Unique 8' long studio Craft large free edge slab top Walnut bench or coffee table with a solid wood stretcher base. Unsigned. Located In Brooklyn NYC.
Measures 97" long x 36" deep...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Live Edge Coffee Table by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Phenomenal live edge coffee table by George Nakashima. circa 1960s with an organic walnut burl flow.
Approximate overall dimensions: 58"W x 33.5"D x 13"H.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Free Edge 'Slab' Coffee Table in Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, free edge slab coffee table, English walnut, United States, circa 1960
American woodworker and designer George Nakashima proves with this quintessential table that he is a true master of his craft. The impressive coffee table, created custom for a private client around 1960, is designed to fully showcase the individual characteristics of the wooden slab on top. The organic, free flowing edges of the wood contribute to a dynamic and natural appearance of the design. This free-form character of the top contrast beautifully with the stark simplicity of the base, a typical trade of Nakashima. The asymmetrical composition contributes to the strength of the design and the high-visual quality.
George Nakashima (1905-1990) was a well-known woodworker, architect and furniture designer from Japanese descendants. He was born in Spokane, Washington and enrolled in the University of Washington program in architecture. After his graduation in 1931, he decided to live his life as a bohemian in France. Afterwards, he spent some time in North Africa and eventually settled in Japan for some time. There, he started working for Antonin Raymond...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Fantastic Nakashima Style Live Edge Cypress Coffee Table with Embedded Seashells
By George Nakashima
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Magical live edge cypress slab coffee table with embedded seashells. This table is drop-dead gorgeous and would be perfect in a beach house setting. There...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Shell, Resin, Cypress
Mira Nakashima Minguren II Coffee Table based on a design by G. Nakashima
By George Nakashima Woodworkers, George Nakashima
Located in Berlin, DE
Minguren II coffee table by Mira Nakashima based on a design by George Nakashima in black walnut. Due to the unique wood structure of each item the tab...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Mid Century American Studio Craft Solid Black Walnut 4' Bench or Coffee Table
By George Nakashima, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid century American Studio craft solid black walnut 4' bench or coffee table circa 1950. Beautiful simple design solid walnut tapered legs. Dowel rod joints and flat head screws. Ve...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Organic Nakashima Style Live Edge Bowtie Slab Coffee Table, circa 1970
By George Nakashima
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Masterful creation from raw wood slab with bowtie joinery and 2 fat offset legs.
An homage to George Nakashima to be sure.
Gorgeous grain and gnarly edge. Pictures tell it best.
It ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut, Wood
George Nakashima, Freeform Coffee Table, English Walnut, Studio USA 1971
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima, Coffee Table, American Black Walnut, New Hope, USA, 1982
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
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...
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Large Oversize Solid Teak Live Edge Coffee Table
By George Nakashima, Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern decor large and heavy, super sturdy solid chunk slab of teak coffee center table. Beautiful natural oil/varnish finish. May be used a base for larger glass top coffee table...
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Teak
1960s Organic Art Raw Sculptural Walnut Wood Decorative Slab
By George Nakashima
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Organic Sculptural Wood Slab Raw Edge Art, ideal piece for a coffee table.
George Nakashima inspired. Wood type appears as walnut.
45.13 W...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Large Organic Walnut Tree Trunk Coffee Table, 1960s
By George Nakashima
Located in Antwerp, BE
A large natural walnut trunk with a thick expressive leaf and a cross-cut edge. The base of the table consists of three pieces of hairpin hand-forged iron that is in perfect harmony ...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
Mid Century Free Edge Coffee Table by Roy Sheldon Dated 1957
By George Nakashima, Roy Sheldon
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful free, or live, edge coffee table by noted woodworker, furniture maker Roy Sheldon. This example is in excellent condition, the top has been newly professionally refinished.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Wood
Live Edge Elongated Organic Shape Coffee Table Bench
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern beautiful wood grain live edge organic shape coffee table. Elongated rounded shape. The wood seems to be walnut.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Organic Heavy Solid Walnut Varnished Slab Top Coffee Table on Tapered Legs
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern organic heavy solid top coffee table. Nakashima influence.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Orananic Crafts Bench Made Occasional Table, Manner of George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful handcrafted walnut table, amazing figured grained wood, whimsical crows foot design, superior quality and construction.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
Large Organic Live Edge Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Large, organic, cherrywood live edge coffee table. Solid top with metal hairpin legs. Nakashima style.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
Large Organic Live Edge Coffee Table
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Large, organic, cherrywood live edge coffee table. Solid top with metal hairpin legs. Nakashima style.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
New Hope-Style Studio Craft Walnut Live Edge Side Table
By George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Expertly crafted circa 1950s walnut live edge side / occasional table with three-legged base. Additional details include 2 carved plates mounted on both the front and back legs for decoration. One of the legs features a caster wheel...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
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.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut Coffee Table, Two Side Drawers, “Origins Series", 1960's
By George Nakashima
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A highly sought after coffee table by George Nakashima for Widdicomb, 1963. Beautiful condition, professionally restored.
George Nakashima worked for Widdicomb, from the mid-1950s...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Coffee Table Origins Model 272 Widdicomb, 1959
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
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...
Category
1950s American Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
1960's Yew coffee table
By George Nakashima
Located in London, Lambeth
Low stylist coffee table in beautiful Yew wood in the style of the iconic
designer George nakashima Cc 1960
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Yew
Coffee Table by George Nakashima for his Origins Series for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rectangular coffee table model 217 designed by George Nakashima for his origin / origins series for Widdicomb, 1950s, in Sundra (meaning thing of beauty) finish. Beautifully figured...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
George Nakashima, Slab Coffee Table, 1950s
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Early English and black American walnut coffee table by studio artist George Nakashima, ca 1950s, New Hope, PA.
Expressive burl live edge and highly figural grain throughout.
Orig...
Category
1950s American American Craftsman Vintage George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nakashima coffee and cocktail tables 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 coffee and cocktail tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 18 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 1 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original coffee and cocktail tables 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 coffee and cocktail tables by John Widdicomb, Henredon, and George Nelson. Prices for George Nakashima coffee and cocktail tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10,400 and can go as high as $85,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $43,248.
Creators Similar to George Nakashima
Questions About George Nakashima Coffee and Cocktail Tables
- 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore George Nakashima Furniture
George Nakashima Dining Room Tables
George Nakashima Tables
George Nakashima Side Tables
George Nakashima Seating
George Nakashima Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
George Nakashima Lighting
George Nakashima Beds and Bed Frames
George Nakashima Books
George Nakashima Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche
George Nakashima Scientific Instruments
George Nakashima Screens and Room Dividers
George Nakashima Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks