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George Nelson

American, 1908-1986

Architect, designer, and writer George Nelson was a central figure in the mid-century American modernist design movement; and his thoughts influenced not only the furniture we live with, but also how we live.

Nelson came to design via journalism and literature. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Yale in 1931, he won the Prix de Rome fellowship, and spent his time in Europe writing magazine articles that helped bring stateside recognition to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier and other canonical modernist architects.

In the 1940s, Nelson wrote texts that suggested such now-commonplace ideas as open-plan houses, storage walls and family rooms. D.J. De Pree, the owner of the furniture maker Herman Miller, was so impressed by Nelson that in 1944 — following the sudden death of Gilbert Rohde, who had introduced the firm to modern design in the 1930s — he invited Nelson to join the company as its design director. There Nelson’s curatorial design talents came to the fore.

To Herman Miller he brought such eminent creators as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and the textile and furniture designer Alexander Girard. Thanks to a clever contract, at the same time as he directed Herman Miller he formed a New York design company, George Nelson & Associates, that sold furniture designs to the Michigan firm. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.

Nelson’s New York team of designers (who were rarely individually credited) would create such iconic pieces as the Marshmallow sofa, the Coconut chair, the Ball clock, the Bubble lamp series and the many cabinets and beds that comprise the sleek Thin-Edge line.

For dedicated collectors, as well as for interior designers who look beyond “the look,” there is a “cool factor” inherent to vintage pieces from George Nelson and others. Nelson was in on it from the start, and it’s valuable to have a piece that was there with him.

But still, as is evident from the offerings from dealers on 1stDibs, in any of the designs, in any iteration whose manufacture Nelson oversaw and encouraged, there are shining elements of lightness, elegance, sophistication — and a little bit of swagger. George Nelson felt confident in his ideas about design and didn’t mind letting the world know.

Average Sold Price
$2,827
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from George Nelson
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Thin Edge Group
Thin Edge Group
Coconut Lounge Chair
Coconut Lounge Chair
Basic Cabinet Series
Basic Cabinet Series
George Nelson Pedestal Stool
George Nelson Pedestal Stool
6 Teak Dining Chairs by Svegards Markaryd, Sweden
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A great set of 6 solid teak ladder back dining chairs by Svegards Markaryd. Chairs are burnt marked Svegards Markaryd made in Sweden. Priced per chair. Multiples of 2 may be purchased. These items are located at our Los Angeles Arts District gallery...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Teak

George Nelson for Herman Miller Chests/Dressers, a Pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
A beautiful pair of dressers designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Finished in a spectacular combed oak veneer. One of the most lively, beautiful, vibrant veneers we’ve ever s...
Category

Mid-20th Century George Nelson

Materials

Oak

George Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller, Model 4617
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
George Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller model 4617. Handsome bedside cabinets/nightstands, purchased by Solo Modern, from the estate of famed Mad Magazine cartoonist, Mort Drucker...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Aluminum, Zinc

Set of Six George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Dining Chairs
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller teak and upholstered dining chairs. We also have the matching dining table, please inquire for details. All items ar...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Teak

Vintage 3 bay Omni Wall Unit by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful 3 bay Omni wall unit by goerge nelson. walnut with floor to ceiling aluminum uprights.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Aluminum

Original Large George Nelson Bubble Lamps for Howard Miller (B)
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Metal, Wire

Rare Pair of George Nelson Storage Units for Omni
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Pair of George Nelson Storage Units for Omni, One case features Four drawers in walnut and sliding door storage, and the other unit is mostly open for Display. They are finished...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Metal

Large Original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for Howard Miller Clock Company (A)
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in San Francisco, CA
Large original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson

Materials

Wire, Metal

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Creators Similar to George Nelson

More George Nelson Designs
Thin Edge Group
Thin Edge Group
Average Price
$9,899
Number Available
22
Thin Edge Group
By George Nelson
Materials
Wood, Metal, Aluminum, Rosewood
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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Coconut Lounge Chair
Coconut Lounge Chair
Average Price
$3,776
Number Available
8
Coconut Lounge Chair
By George Nelson
Materials
Fiberglass, Plastic, Animal Skin, Leather, Metal, Steel
Styles
Mid Century Modern
George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as...
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Basic Cabinet Series
Basic Cabinet Series
Average Price
$4,058
Number Available
6
Basic Cabinet Series
By George Nelson
Materials
Wood, Metal, Walnut, Aluminum
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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George Nelson Pedestal Stool
George Nelson Pedestal Stool
Average Price
$1,089
Number Available
5
George Nelson Pedestal Stool
By George Nelson
Materials
Metal, Fabric, Faux Leather, Animal Skin, Leather
Styles
Mid Century Modern
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George Nelson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nelson furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by George Nelson were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Drexel, Widdicomb Furniture Co., and John Widdicomb. Prices for George Nelson furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $155 and can go as high as $48,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,411.
Questions About George Nelson
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Nelson was an American designer, and for a time the lead designer for the famed Herman Miller furniture company. Nelson is often referred to as the founder of American modernist design and often associated with his more inspired pieces such as the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and the Ball Clock. Shop a collection of George Nelson furniture designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Nelson was a furniture designer central to the mid-century modern design movement. His best-known creations are the marshmallow sofa, coconut chair, ball clock and bubble lamp series. His style included sleek, thin-edge lines on a variety of furniture still available today. Shop a range of George Nelson furniture designs on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Modern George Nelson clocks are made in Poland. The company Vitra Designs manufactures the timepieces based on the original designs of the American designer who lived from 1908 to 1986. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of George Nelson clocks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George Nelson Bubble Lamps are made of steel wires, which form a durable framework for the lamp. A plastic polymer material spread over the wires forms the shade which is translucent to give the lamp a soft glow. Inspired by Swedish lamps, these mid-century modern light fixtures are still made by the legendary furniture manufacturer Herman Miller today. Shop a range of George Nelson Bubble Lamps on 1stDibs.

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