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.
Rare Industrial OMI "Eyeshade" Floor Lamp, George Nelson, Koch & Lowy, USA, 1960
By George Nelson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare, early "Eyeshade" adjustable floor lamp designed by the influential George Nelson for Koch & Lowy. Designed by and for architects this lamp is as versatile as it i...
Steel
George Nelson Holzzylinder Floor Lamp, Rare
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
This lamp is extremely rare and even harder to find one with three heads. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1960s, this lamp boasts three adjustable heads with indep...
Metal
Pair of OMI "Eyeshade" Floor Lamps, George Nelson for Koch & Lowy, USA, c. 1960s
By George Nelson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare, early pair of "Eyeshade" floor lamps designed by the influential George Nelson for Koch & Lowy. Designed by and for architects this set is as versatile as it is a...
Steel
Selection of Mid Century Chrome Floor Lamps by George Nelson & Hans Eichenberger
By George Nelson, Hans Eichenberger
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Mid Century chrome lamps, circa 1950s. They are priced at $1800 each. They are rewired and ready to use. The lamp pictured on the left in the first photo is designed b...
Metal, Aluminum
Rare OMI "Eyeshade" Adjustable Floor Lamp, George Nelson, Koch & Lowy, USA, 1960
By George Nelson
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a rare, early "Eyeshade" floor lamp designed by the influential George Nelson for Koch & Lowy. Designed by and for architects this lamp is as versatile as it is aesth...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Floor Spider Lamp
Located in Wayne, NJ
Mid-Century Modern chrome floor spider lamp. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact us with your delivery zip code, as we may be able to deliver cur...
Other
$950
H 61 in W 10 in D 16 in
Vintage 1970s Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy Three Head Chrome Cube Floor Lamp
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage 1970s Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy floor lamp. This is a beautiful, classic three head floor lamp from Koch & Lowy. It features a very cubed design with rectangular lamp...
Chrome
Koch & Lowy Mid Century Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Bridgeport, CT
"Koch + Lowy" engraved at the top of the support. Ca. 1970's. Their iconic brass pharmacy floor lamp with adjustable height and arm plus an adjustable shade both in height and rotat...
Brass, Other
Mid-Century Modern Stemlite Chrome Floor Lamp by Bill Curry
By Bill Curry
Located in Toledo, OH
This mid-century modern 1962 chrome floor lamp designed by Bill Curry features a mushroom shade and 3-way switch. The fixture is labeled Stemlite by Design Line...
Chrome
$695
H 57 in W 6.25 in D 15 in
Adjustable Brass Pharmacy Style Floor Reading Lamp att. to Koch and Lowy c 1980s
By Holtkoetter, Koch & Lowy
Located in New York, NY
Sleek adjustable pharmacy style floor lamp, in sophisticated satin brass finish. The lamp is adjustable in height ( 52.5" - 57" ) the shade tilts, and the vertical post swivels ton ...
Brass
Floor lamp by Georges Frydman for Temde
By J.T. Kalmar, Temde Leuchten, Rupert Nikoll, Georges Frydman, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in München, DE
Exceptionally beautiful and very rare architect's floor lamp from the 1960s. The design is very unusual. The shape and the materials create a warm and very pleasant light. Design: G...
Metal
Vintage Koch and Lowy Pharmacy Style Brass Floor Lamp c. 1970's
By Koch & Lowy
Located in New York, NY
Classic brass pharmacy lamp by Koch & Lowy circa 1970's. The lamp features an adjustable vertical shaft, which extends form 34.25"- 45" and swivels horizontally. The hood shade is a...
Brass
Koch & Lowy Adjustable Floor Lamp
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Chrome Floor lamp with black base and two black and chrome adjustable shades. Designed by Koch & Lowy
Chrome
Vintage Brass Adjustable OMI Floor Lamp with Brass Rounded Shade
Located in New York, NY
Lovely heavy brass pharmacy style adjustable floor lamp . This OMI lamp adjusts in height from 43” -50”. The shade adjust up and down and side to side and is 6” x 5”. With slats on t...
Brass
Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy Brass Cubist Floor Lamp
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Hanover, MA
"Ambassador" model brass floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for Koch & Lowy with three articulating rectangular cubes mounted to the square brass vertical stem, on square brass b...
Brass
$950
H 46 in W 20.75 in D 6.25 in
Mid-Century Chrome Swing Arm Pharmacy Task Floor Lamp by Koch & Lowy (OMI)
By Koch & Lowy
Located in Miami, FL
Authentic, vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern chrome pharmacy task floor lamp by Koch & Lowy. This iconic minimalist piece features the highly collectible German-made "OMI" (Otto M...
Chrome, Steel
$5,500 / set
H 45.5 in W 6 in D 9 in
Pair of Floor Lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA, 1987
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Floor Lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA, 1987– Polished & Smoked Chrome A set of two adjustable floor lamps by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. Each swivels 3...
Steel, Chrome
Vitra Coconut Leather Chair by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Rochester, England
Introducing the stunning Coconut Leather Chair by renowned designer George Nelson for Vitra. This iconic piece features a sleek and modern design, with a curved seat and armrests for...
Metal
Rare George Nelson 'Kite' Floor Lamp.. Classic architectural modernist
By George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare George Nelson 'Kite' floor lamp circa mid 1950s early 1960's. Features original linen shade with wood ball pull switch pivoting head and sleek chromed steel frame.Classic elegan...
Steel
Vintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson Cigar Tripod Bubble Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
This Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Bubble light will add a touch of softness and luminosity to any interior! Delightful cigar shape on a tripod base and on / off push button switch. Can be used as a table or floor lamp. The George Nelson Cigar...
Metal
Vintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson Floor Bubble Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern George Nelson Floor Bubble Lamp This mid century modern George Nelson Bubble Lamp will add a touch of softness and luminosity to you interior.
Metal
Early Vintage Bubble Lamp Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Round Rock, TX
Very early and unusual formed cigar lamp designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, c. 1950s This example is about as early as it gets with the uncomm...
Brass
George Nelson Bubble Floor Lamps
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
George nelson bubble floor lamps, American, circa 2000s. Signed with Herman Miller lable. These were only produced by Herman Miller as floor lamps for a ...
Metal
Sold
H 46 in W 36 in D 10 in
Mid-Century Modern Eye Shade Chrome Swing Arm Floor Lamp Nelson Koch & Lowy
By George Nelson, Koch & Lowy
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a spectacular, chrome, swing arm floor lamp, with an eye shade, by George Nelson for Koch & Lowy, circa 1970s. In excellent vintage condition. The dimension...
Chrome
George Nelson and Daniel Lewis for Koch and Lowy Eyeshade Floor Lamp
By George Nelson, Daniel Lewis, Koch & Lowy
Located in Southampton, NJ
A desk Lamp with perforated, enameled, aluminium shade in black with white translucent end panels. The iron base is finished in black and fit with a chrome stem. Tilt's vertically an...
Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson Cigar Floor Lamp, circa 1950
By George Nelson
Located in Culver City, CA
George Nelson cigar floor lamp, circa 1950 Stretched parchment paper over steel form.
Parchment Paper
Scarce George Nelson Cigar Bubble Floor Lamp - Rare Brass Base
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Scarce George Nelson Cigar Bubble Floor Lamp. Period. Vintage. Label attached on underside.
George Nelson for Koch & Lowy Lamp
By George Nelson
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
This floor lamp by George Nelson for Koch & Lowy, was Nelson's last lamp design. It culminated many design features developed by Nelson over his career. The...