George Nelson Furniture
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.
Color: Black
Creator: George Nelson
George Nelson Meridian Wall Clock Rimini Blue Face by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
“Meridian” clock designed by George Nelson for the Howard Miller
Clock Company. Face is made of “Rimini Blue” Italian ceramic designed
by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, battery operated.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950s
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Antwerp, BE
Introducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, an...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
George Nelson For Herman Miller Desk And Credenza
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern desk and credenza designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller. The walnut credenza with multiple drawers and compartments for storage. The desk with wa...
Category
1960s American Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
Mid-Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Dresser
By George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Dresser by George Nelson, circa 1950. This stunning piece boasts ebonized drawer fronts, maple casings, and unique circular pulls. A sleek mid-century design that makes the perfect a...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Maple
George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Original George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller.
Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch
MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern leather perch stool or chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Versatile chair with adjustable hand-stitched leather seat hav...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel, Aluminum
George Nelson Pedestal Coffee Table by Vitra
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Madrid, ES
Coffee or side table, originally designed by George Nelson in 1954, with four-branched base in black lacquered aluminum. Tabletop in black laminate with a visible edge in birch venee...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson & Daniel Lewis for Koch Lowy "Eyeshade" Articulated Desk Lamp
By Koch & Lowy, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this uncommon 1970s "Eyeshade" articulated desk lamp designed by George Nelson and Daniel Lewis for Koch & Lowy. The shade can be raised up/down, rotate, and tilt up/down. It is composed of an outer perforated black metal screen, an inner aluminum shade, and green acrylic end detail that glows when the light is on, an apparent modern reference to the green glass shades of antique bankers lamps...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal, Steel
George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side Tables
By George Nelson, Arbuck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of elegant, tiered, wrought iron side tables by George Nelson For Arbuck feature travertine tops that lay within the frames and mesh bottom tiers at 14 inches height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Travertine, Wrought Iron
Iconic George Nelson ‘Coconut’ Lounge Chair
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson, ‘Coconut’ lounge chair, fiberglass, leather upholstery, steel, United States, design 1955, later production
The ‘Coconut’ lounge chair is one of George Nelson’s iconi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Obviously he took his inspiration from a coconut that...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel
George Nelson Low-Back Executive Tilt-Swivel Chair for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
George Nelson & Associate was one the driving force for the revolutionary of Office space furniture in the 50s and 60s. Between 1955 and 1964, the group came up with some of the most iconic design of the Mid-Century Modern era such as the CSS shelving...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Naugahyde
54" Vintage Single Pedestal Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
54" Vintage single pedestal desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This distinctive desk has two drawers, one of which is a filing drawer along with stainless steel legs. A great d...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel
Irving Harper Fire Starter by George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Irving Harper, Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Irving Harper under George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller c. 1950s, USA. The footed cast iron pot features a coiled-handle and white firing stone that shows minimal ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Iron
George Nelson Rare High Back Chair
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson rare high back chair
A high back lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Model #5469, this lounge chair is one of t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome, Steel
George Nelson & Associates Sling Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Made by: Herman Miller, USA, 1963
Material: leather, chrome-plated steel, rubber
Size: 112 W × 32 D × 29 H in
The luxurious model 6833 Sling sofa ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Refinished
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By George Nelson for Herman Miller
USA, 1950s
Black lacquered walnut, with original aluminum hardware.
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of George Nelson 5681 Loose Cushion Group Lounge Chairs US 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of George Nelson Loose Cushion Group lounge chairs US 1960s
Original Condition with hardened foam. We recommend to reupholster.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Bookcases with Walnut Doors
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair George Nelson designed Black bookcases with Walnut doors for Herman Miller.
Each shallow unit has one adjustable shelf, and small cabinet with a Walnut door. Behind the doo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare and Exclusive Loose Cushion Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
By george nelson. ultra soft high qualitily leather with nice and worm patina. down filled cushions.
Category
1960s American Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Leather
Model 5751 George Nelson Cocktail Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in South Charleston, WV
George Nelson for Herman Miller thin edge model 5751 produced, circa 1960. Frame is polished steel coffee table. Tops and sides have been coated in black satin lacquer specifically d...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel
George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, United States.
Very fine Modular §seater sofa by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller.
This sofa has a metal frame with square chro...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Nimbus / Beehive Pendant Lamp by George Nelson and Associates Midcentury
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Very rare chandelier model NS808 / 'Nimbus' (also known as 'Beehive') by renowned George Nelson and Associates studio made for Nessen Lighting, designed in 1969 by Farid Iskander.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
MidCentury George Nelson Sling Table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Produced for only 4 years this exceptionally rare "Sling Table" is in wonderful vintage condition. Featuring a rounded granite top on chromed legs. A perfe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Granite, Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Mini Grandfather Clock for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful half-height tabletop grandfather clock in rosewood. Designed by George Nelson for Howard Miller clock company. Wind-up ...
Category
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
Cape Cod Firelighter Irving Harper George Nelson Fire Starter Cast Iron Tool McM
By Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Presented to you in original patina, a cast iron pot, and coil-handled shaft with firing stone. A famous Industrial Design midcentury icon; the Cape Cod firelighter, Model H611, desi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Iron
George Nelson for Koch Lowy "Eyeshade" Desk Lamp, 1970's
By George Nelson, Koch & Lowy
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Modern George Nelson for Koch & Lowy Adjustable Perforated Aluminum & Black Enamel Table Lamp. Featuring a perforated Black enameled Aluminum cylinder mesh shade, Off White interior,...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Cast Iron Fire Starter
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, cast iron, fire starter by George Nelson for Howard Miller.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Iron
George Nelson Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarer find in original black finish. Clever design by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Measures: 40" depth
29.75" height.
64.75" long unfolded
41.5" half folded
18.5" folded.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Four Paddle Armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller in black aniline leather. Original Herman Miller circle tag presen...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
George Nelson Modular Sofa and Tables Herman Miller, 1963
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Very nice leather sofa designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, United States, 1963. This sofa has a metal frame with square chrome plated legs, the seat is in black leather and ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
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.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Furniture
- What did George Nelson make?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George 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.
- Why is George Nelson famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022Modern 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, 2022George 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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