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George Nelson Building and Garden Elements

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
Mid Century Nelson for Avard Wrought Iron Garden Patio Dining Table
By George Nelson, Avard
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Mid Century wrought iron garden, patio, poolside dining table attributed to George Nelson, for Avard, sometimes attributed to Frank and Sons, circa 1950's. The table fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Walnut Side Table with Planters by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
George Nelson designed this uniquely functional side table, model 4745, for Herman Miller. Constructed of walnut with ebonized block legs, it houses two square copper planting boxes...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Copper, Chrome

George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side Tables
By Arbuck, George Nelson
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Travertine, Wrought Iron

American Mid-Century Modern Solid Iron Walnut Modernist Set of Fireplace Tools
By George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid iron fire tools set in black enameled finish with a nice patina in original condition. can be used indoors or outdoors. Solid walnut handles with brass accents , very rare set ...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron, Brass

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Irving Harper Fire Starter by George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, Irving Harper, George Nelson
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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Previously Available Items
Irving Harper Fireplace Tool Set by George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller
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Pair of George Nelson & Associates Andirons
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Pair of modern American George Nelson and Associates wrought iron andirons of "X" shape form, model H601. Dimensions: 13" H x 16" W x 7" D. Material: Iron. Condition: Wear c...
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Set of Four Iron Rod Outdoor Chairs by George Nelson for Arbuck, 1950s
By Arbuck, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
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'H612' Hinged Fire Screen by George Nelson
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Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern hinged fire screen designed by George Nelson. This uncommon 'H612' tapered enameled steel wire-cloth fire screen hinges open for fire tending. Manufactured in th...
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Located in New York, NY
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Vintage George Nelson Firestarter by Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Washington, DC
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Early Modernist George Nelson Tambour Roll Top Desk, 1964
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
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Fireplace Set by Irving Harper / George Nelson Assoc. for Howard Miller, 1951
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Located in Amarillo, TX
Irving Harper / George Nelson Assoc. for Howard Miller USA, 1951 Fireplace tool set and stand, including poker, hearth broom, and shovel w/ birchwood handles. Measure: 33.5 ...
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Mid-Century George Nelson for Arbuck Iron Rod Outdoor Set of Four Chairs
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Rarely seen set of four George Nelson & Associate designed armchairs for Arbuck Inc. produced only in 1951-1952.
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Set of Three George Nelson Chairs for Arbuck
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George Nelson building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nelson building and garden elements 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 building and garden elements, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original building and garden elements by George Nelson 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 building and garden elements by Curtis Jeré, Danny Ho Fong, and Shaver Howard. Prices for George Nelson building and garden elements can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $4,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,200.
Questions About George Nelson Building and Garden Elements
  • 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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