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.
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Creator: George Nelson
Dealer: Modern Design Connection
Rare Pair of 1. Edition Metal Shell Coconuts
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
designed by george nelson in 1955 and made by herman miller.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Metal
Amazing Thin Edge Sideboard by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful mirrored rosewood veneer.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Rosewood
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
Rare George Nelson Coffetable with Castors
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
From the steelframe series.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Related Items
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....
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Elegant Tight Back Loose Down Seat Sofa
Located in Bronx, NY
Elegant tight back loose down seat sofa
- 24 D seat depth.
- 21 seat high.
- 25.5 arm high.
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Rosewood Thin Edge Bookshelf by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
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Located in Hamburg, PA
A beautiful rare and hard-to-find Rosewood Thin Edge bookcase by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The Thin Edge bookcase would look great in any Mid-Century Modern or Contemporary ho...
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Two "Thin Edge" Chest by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Denton, TX
"Thin Edge" chest of drawers by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
These make nice nightstands
Measures: cabinet 1. 19.5" deep by 34" wide by 33.25" high
cabinet 2. 19.5" Deep by 24...
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George Nelson Thin Edge Server in Walnut for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Early George Nelson designed, thin-edge server in walnut with black and silver hourglass hardware and turned aluminum hourglass legs.
Retains the early George Nelson Medallion Lab...
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Midcentury George Nelson Slatted Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
An American Midcentury-Modern classic. This slatted bench was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. It comprised of maple with ebonized legs. A design of balance, symmetry, an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
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Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950s
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Antwerp, BE
Introducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, an...
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Mid Century Slatted Wood Bench Coffee Table George Nelson Style
By George Nelson
Located in Baltimore, MD
Amazing Mid-Century Modern George Nelson style slat bench coffee table. Classic slat wood coffee table bench. This table is exceptionally well made. Features clean lines and legs that taper down as they reach the floor. An Iconic retro slatted bench...
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George Nelson Coconut Chair in Alexander Girard Minicheck
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic coconut chair designed by George Nelson. A low-slung lounge profile with spacious seat for superior comfort. Triangular fiberglass shell rests on architectural brushed-steel t...
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Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Maple, Lacquer
H 14.25 in W 72.25 in D 18.625 in
Rare Pair of Mid-Century Modern Fiberglass and Brown Leather Shell Lounge Chairs
By Krueger International
Located in Lafayette, IN
Wonderful pair of rare 1960s AFKA guest/side chairs by Krueger metal products. These chairs feature a white fiberglass shell, chrome steel frame and solid walnut armrests. Chairs hav...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Chrome
H 30.5 in W 25.5 in D 23 in
Hudson Sofa Loose Seat Cushions, Box Legs
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Simple, clean lines and balanced proportions define this sofa. Dual back cushions compliment the single, long seat cushion in this modern remix of a Classic ...
Category
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Previously Available Items
George Nelson Pedestal Extension Table No. 5559 1, Edition for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
The table can be adjusted to 3 lengths by 2 additional insert plates: 1.83 m, 2.33 m or 2.84 m. cast aluminium legs - white powder-coated, white laminated table tops, the shelves a...
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Laminate
H 28.15 in W 111.82 in D 40.16 in
Rare George Nelson Steelframe Seating Unit 4 + 3 from One Owner
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Very rare model in very good condition and all original condition. Beautiful fabric. Original invoice and sketch from March 1962.
Two bases in 180cm and 240cm
Five seats and two t...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
Modular System Seating Sofa Set by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Sofa set: One sofa 228cm, one sofa with small table attached 152cm and a coffee table. Professional re-upholstered a few years ago.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
George Nelson Coffee Table
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Made by Herman Miller.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Half-Nelson Table Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
designed by george nelson in 1960 and made by koch & lowy.
Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Early and Rare Pretzel Chair by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
only a few where made of the 1.edition.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Furniture
Materials
Plywood
Rare George Nelson Swag Legged Desk in Rosewood
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
rare and early george nelson swag legged desk . it´s the early version and the hard to find rosewood version. very good and all original condition
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
George Nelson Thin Edge Credenza
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
iconic design of it´s time and in very good original condition . unusual leg configuration ( all original...) - ordered by the first owners to give the credenza a modern tough ....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Furniture
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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