George Nelson Decorative Objects
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.
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American George Nelson Decorative Objects
Steel
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Walnut, Glass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Aluminum
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Rosewood, Burl
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Rosewood, Burl
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Rosewood
1980s North American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Aluminum
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Porcelain, Rosewood, Teak
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Aluminum
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Rosewood
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s German Organic Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Mahogany, Plywood
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1970s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Steel
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Rosewood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Aluminum
Late 20th Century American Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Brass, Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Plastic
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Ultrasuede, Oak
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Decorative Objects
Metal
1980s American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Decorative Objects
Aluminum
George Nelson decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.