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George Nelson Desk Accessories

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
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"

Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"

$1,250

Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"

By Howard Miller, George Nelson

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984
Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984

Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984

$1,250

Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 2 by George Nelson, 1984

By Howard Miller, George Nelson

Located in Kansas City, MO

Rare postmodern cream, brown, and navy checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Very few signs...

Category

1980s North American Post-Modern Vintage George Nelson Desk Accessories

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson & Associates Attributed “Safety Numbers” Playboy Lucite Ruler
George Nelson & Associates Attributed “Safety Numbers” Playboy Lucite Ruler

George Nelson & Associates Attributed “Safety Numbers” Playboy Lucite Ruler

$575

George Nelson & Associates Attributed “Safety Numbers” Playboy Lucite Ruler

By George Nelson, Playboy

Located in San Diego, CA

Rare vintage Playboy Lucite ruler, attributed to George Nelson & Associates, circa 1960s. #5659 This striking modernist desk accessory features oversized dimensional numerals i...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Desk Accessories

Materials

Lucite

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Howard Miller Desk Clock by Design Office of George Nelson
Howard Miller Desk Clock by Design Office of George Nelson

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Arthur Umanoff for The Design Office of George Nelson for Howard Miller Desk or Table Clock. In great shape and running flawlessly! Been in use for about 6 months on my desk at th...

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1970s Lucite Ashtray and Lighter Set
1970s Lucite Ashtray and Lighter Set

1970s Lucite Ashtray and Lighter Set

$550 / set

H 2 in W 5 in D 5 in

1970s Lucite Ashtray and Lighter Set

Located in New York, NY

Stunning 1970s Lucite chrome ashtray and lighter desk set. Lighter measurements: Width 3.75", depth 2.5, height 4.25".

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Rare 1970s Vintage Howard Miller MCM Floating Lucite Wall Clock - Roman Numerals
Rare 1970s Vintage Howard Miller MCM Floating Lucite Wall Clock - Roman Numerals

Rare 1970s Vintage Howard Miller MCM Floating Lucite Wall Clock - Roman Numerals

$2,500

H 2.07 in Dm 12.13 in

Rare 1970s Vintage Howard Miller MCM Floating Lucite Wall Clock - Roman Numerals

By George Nelson, Howard Miller

Located in St. Louis, MO

This exceptionally rare vintage wall clock by the celebrated Howard Miller Clock Company is a phenomenal example of high-end Postmodern design. The clock features a unique, minimalist frame composed of a heavy-gauge clear Lucite (acrylic) C-shaped band. This outer ring is intentionally separated at the top and bottom, creating a striking architectural gap that frames the piece. Suspended inside the clear casing by small pins is an elegant, translucent inner dial fashioned from premium peach/copper-tinted acrylic. Rather than sitting on a surface, the clock is engineered to hang directly from its central black quartz movement housing, allowing the open Lucite frame to float weightlessly against the wall. In a bold design twist, the dial is printed with oversized, crisp white Roman numerals that appear to float mid-air, paired with sleek white hour and minute hands and a vibrant red sweeping second hand. Driven by a precision battery-operated quartz movement, this sculptural timekeeper beautifully bridges the gap between Space Age materials and 1980s Postmodern aesthetics. Can't find another example out there. Manufacturer: Howard Miller Clock Company (Zeeland, Michigan, USA) Designer Attribution: While many collectors automatically look for George Nelson when they see vintage Howard Miller lucite...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Desk Accessories

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Metal

George Nelson Original Vintage Brass and Wood Ball Wall Clock
George Nelson Original Vintage Brass and Wood Ball Wall Clock

George Nelson Original Vintage Brass and Wood Ball Wall Clock

$1,220

H 13 in W 13 in D 3 in

George Nelson Original Vintage Brass and Wood Ball Wall Clock

By George Nelson

Located in Oceanside, US

An iconic Original Ball Wall Clock designed in 1947 by George Nelson Associates and produced by the Howard Miller Clock Company in Zeeland, Michigan. This early example features a ra...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Desk Accessories

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Vintage George Nelson / Howard Miller Multi-color Spike / Starburst Clock
Vintage George Nelson / Howard Miller Multi-color Spike / Starburst Clock

Vintage George Nelson / Howard Miller Multi-color Spike / Starburst Clock

$2,600

H 19.5 in Dm 19.5 in

Vintage George Nelson / Howard Miller Multi-color Spike / Starburst Clock

By Howard Miller, George Nelson

Located in Buffalo, NY

Iconic Vintage George Nelson / Howard Miller Multi-color Spike / Starburst Electric Wall Clock,, Amazing colors,, wonderful patina,, retains original Howard Miller label,, Tested and...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century
A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century

A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century

$800

H 0.75 in W 7.25 in D 1.25 in

A Vintage Italian Grand Tour Specimen Marble Ruler, 20th Century

Located in Spencertown, NY

The 7 1/4" ruler with 8 different specimens inset with in a black marble frame.

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Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell
Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell

Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell

$1,440Sale Price|20% Off

H 13.78 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in

Empire Style Table Clock and Inkwell

Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Empire style table clock and inkwell Origin France Circa 1900 The watch has a Paris machine and it works Golden bronze and Onix materials Very good general condition the marble ...

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Mid Century Modern Howard MIller Jefferson Tabletop Clock Brass
Mid Century Modern Howard MIller Jefferson Tabletop Clock Brass

Mid Century Modern Howard MIller Jefferson Tabletop Clock Brass

$75

H 7.25 in W 5.75 in D 2 in

Mid Century Modern Howard MIller Jefferson Tabletop Clock Brass

By Howard Miller

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a mid-century modern Howard MIller Jefferson tabletop clock. Finished in satin brass. Quartz movement. Tested and currently working without any issues. Includ...

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Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock
Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock

Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock

$2,400

H 64 in W 16 in D 10.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock

By Howard Miller

Located in Toledo, OH

Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller floor clock. Black lacquer with half round chrome trim. Wood paneled front. Chimes need adjustment does not ...

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Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677
Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677

Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677

$1,400

H 55.25 in W 13 in D 9 in

Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677

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Located in Cincinnati, OH

A newer sophisticated take on the grandfather clock with the case in smoked Lucite defining the outline of the clock. The face has a brushed aluminum face with mod hands in red and w...

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George Nelson Tripod Table Clock
George Nelson Tripod Table Clock

George Nelson Tripod Table Clock

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H 9 in W 7 in D 6 in

George Nelson Tripod Table Clock

By George Nelson

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Scarce large tripod table clock, Model 4764, designed by George Nelson and Associates for Howard Miller Clock Company. Satin brass dial encased in plexiglass bubble, with signature b...

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Howard Miller 68th Anniversary Grandfather Clock, Brass & Glass, 2003
Howard Miller 68th Anniversary Grandfather Clock, Brass & Glass, 2003

Howard Miller 68th Anniversary Grandfather Clock, Brass & Glass, 2003

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H 78.5 in W 19 in D 11 in

Howard Miller 68th Anniversary Grandfather Clock, Brass & Glass, 2003

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Located in Omaha, NE

A finely crafted floor clock by Howard Miller, presented in a warm Windsor Cherry finish with traditional bonnet pediment and fluted columns. This example features the sought-after i...

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Brass

George Nelson desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nelson desk accessories are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson desk accessories, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desk accessories by and Maitland Smith. Prices for George Nelson desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,250 and can go as high as $1,250, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,250.

Questions About George Nelson Desk Accessories

  • Why is George Nelson famous?

    1 Answer
    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.

  • What did George Nelson make?

    1 Answer
    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.

  • Where are George Nelson clocks made?

    1 Answer
    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.

  • What are George Nelson Bubble Lamps made of?

    1 Answer
    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.