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.
George Nelson Thin Edge Dresser in Rosewood & Porcelain by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Stamford, CT
The great George Nelson left us with a massive portfolio of forward thinking design which Herman Miller has largely kept alive to this day. Nelson became design director for Herman M...
Aluminum
$8,800 / set
George Nelson Modernist Table Lamps
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Modernist table lamps designed by George Nelson. Triangular stem in walnut with matte white decorative ceramic tiles on a patinated bronze base. Tiles also designed by George Nelson for the Pomona Tile...
Ceramic, Walnut
$1,500 / item
George Nelson Coffee Table in White by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is George Nelson's signature end table, characterized by clean lines and practicality. The metal base pedestal looks almost organic as it rise...
Aluminum
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table in Walnut
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gate-Leg Dining Table, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular examples was produced in the United States and dates to the 1950s. Th...
Walnut
Pair of George Nelson Armchairs in Cowhide Upholstery
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller armchairs with new cowhide upholstery. Great for any modern environment besides the obvious modern cabin or rustic setting.
Cowhide, Walnut
Vintage George Nelson Herman Miller Florence Knoll Styl Steel Frame Coffee Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful clean signed example of this form. All original. White laminate top. Original white finish. Style of Florence Knoll.
Metal
George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Argelato, BO
George Nelson Vintage "Pedestal" Side Table for Herman Miller A simple and elegant pedestal side table with round top having cast meat star base . The base with foot pads to protect...
Metal
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Rare George Nelson Coffetable with Castors
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
From the steelframe series. LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Metal
Swag Leg Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller - 1950s, La Fonda, Space Age
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Swag Leg Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller - 1950s This iconic Swag Leg Chair was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1950s. The chair is characterized by its ...
Fiberglass
1977 George Nelson Half-Nelson Reflector Table Lamp by Koch & Lowy in Brass
By George Nelson, Koch & Lowy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommonly seen Half-Nelson reflector table lamp, designed by George Nelson and manufactured by Koch & Lowy in the late 1970s. This design was initially created ca. 1949-1...
Metal, Brass
George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Group Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Spectacular rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, fi...
Rosewood
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Rosewood 5-Drawer Dresser
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 5-drawer dresser from the Thin Edge series, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. This piece was produced in the United States and dates back to the 1950s. C...
Aluminum
1959 George Nelson for Herman Miller No 5752 Rectangular Coffee Table in Teak
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare and unusual coffee table by George Nelson. This is the model number 5752 coffee table by George Nelson and Associates, which was produced by Herman Mil...
Wood, Oak, Teak
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat that ...
Metal
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Dining Table with Custom Planter
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large dining or conference table, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1950s. This model was custom-made to include space for a planter in the middle of the p...
Laminate, Wood
Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Table with wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1960s. Wear due to time and age of the table
Metal
2x DAF Swag Leg Arm Stuhl Charles Eames George Nelson Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt zwei wunderschöne und äußerst seltene DAF Swag Leg Arm Stühle von Herman Miller Collection zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von George Nelson bzw. Charles Eame...
Metal
George Nelson, Pair of Low Tables with Curved Iron Structure
By George Nelson
Located in Milano, IT
COD-1439 George Nelson Pair of low tables with curved iron structure and glass top resting on small colored spheres. UK manufacture, 1950s.
Iron
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Rosewood 5221 8-Drawer Dresser
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Model 5221 dresser from the Thin Edge series, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. This piece was produced in the United States and dates back to the 1950s....
Aluminum
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat that ...
Metal
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 5259 X-Leg Dining Table with Walnut Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Soft Edge Curved Dining Table, model 5259, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. The piece has a walnut top and white enam...
Steel, Enamel
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Renens, CH
Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat tha...
Metal
Modular Table Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller with Pierre Frey cushion
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
“design is a response to social change“ george nelson said, the director of design with office furniture manufacturer herman miller. economic growth and larger companies lead to rapi...
Steel
Modular Sofa Seating, Gerogen Nelson for Herman Miller, covered in Dedar fabric
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hyères, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
“design is a response to social change“ george nelson said, the director of design with office furniture manufacturer herman miller. economic growth and larger companies lead to rapi...
Steel