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.
$2,800 / item
Original George Nelson Pretzel Chair, Leather
By George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and beautiful ''Pretzel'' ArmChair, laminated wood and dark brown leather seat. Manufactured in the 1984/1986 in Italy by ICF De Padova. Price is for one chair. Pair available.
Leather, Plywood
1979 Charles Pollock for Knoll Burnt Orange Single Executive Chair
By George Nelson, Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Single vintage 1979 Executive Chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. The chair comes in its original burnt orange upholstery, a perfect mid-century modern color! It is truly a ...
Stainless Steel
Original Early George Nelson for Herman Miller Pretzel Chair
By George Nelson
Located in Sarasota, FL
George Nelson for Herman Miller pretzel chair. Rare and beautiful chair with very low production. Production being this one either 1957 or 1958. Believed to be under 100 of these ...
Bentwood
Set of 6 Black Pretzel Chairs, by George Nelson for ICF
By George Nelson, ICF De Padova
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare set of six ''Pretzel'' armchairs with leather cushions, made from laminated wood by ICF De Padova in Italy between 1984 and 1986. Originally designed for Herman Miller, George...
Leather, Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 4663 Chairs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A matched pair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Model 4663 chairs sit firmly in the midcentury era, with clean lines, balanced proportions, and a focus on comfort. Solid ...
Upholstery, Wood
Set of Two Leather Original George Nelson Coconut Chairs, Vitra
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Praha, CZ
Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured by Vitra. Black leather, white shell and chrome legs, good original condition. - Marked by original lab...
Chrome
George Nelson Coconut Armchair for Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Vienna, AT
The armchair was designed by George Nelson for Vitra in 1955. The coconut chair is an icon of the design of the 1950s and is still a cult today. With clear shapes and reduced mate...
Plastic, Bouclé
Pair of George Nelson Armchairs in Cowhide Upholstery
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller armchairs with new cowhide upholstery. Great for any modern environment besides the obvious modern cabin or rustic setting.
Cowhide, Walnut
2x DAF Swag Leg Arm Stuhl Charles Eames George Nelson Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt zwei wunderschöne und äußerst seltene DAF Swag Leg Arm Stühle von Herman Miller Collection zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von George Nelson bzw. Charles Eame...
Metal
Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950s
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Antwerp, BE
Introducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, an...
Chrome
$7,200 / set
George Nelson, Armchairs, Iron, USA, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four iron armchairs designed by George Nelson and produced by Arbuck, USA, c. 1952. Dimensions: 29” H x 19” W 19” D Seat height: 16.5”
Iron
2009 George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Armchair 3x Available
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These are Swag Leg Chairs, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1958. These particular examples were produced in the USA and date to 2009. The chairs are compris...
Steel
Set of Four Paddle Armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller in black aniline leather. Original Herman Miller circle tag presen...
Chrome
Armchair by George Nelson for Herman Miller Restored
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson armchair in new blue Maharam fabric. Blonde Primavera frame in excellent condition.
Upholstery, Wood
$5,600 / set
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
Set of Six George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Dining Chairs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller teak and upholstered dining chairs. We also have the matching dining table, please inquire for details. All items ar...
Teak
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
Charles Pollock Desk Chair by Knoll in Burnt Orange
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Charles Pollock for Knoll executive chair in burnt orange. This leather executive desk chair has swivel base with adjustable height. Base with all wheels in working condition...
Metal
$3,150Sale Price|25% Off
H 33 in W 26.75 in D 35 in
'Cité' Leather and Steel Lounge Chair by Jean Prouvé for Vitra, Signed
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by the iconic French engineer and designer Jean Prouvé, the Cité Lounge Chair is an example of his innovative approach to form and function. Originally created for the stude...
Metal
Charles Pollock Leather Executive Desk Chair in Brown
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Charles Pollock for Knoll leather executive chair redone in medium brown color. This executive desk chair has a swivel base with adjustable height. Swivel base with all wheel...
Chrome
$1,800 / item
H 33 in W 27 in D 27 in
Mid-Century Modern Charles Pollock/Knoll Executive Chairs, Black Leather, USA
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in San Francisco, CA
Stunning authentic mid-century modern Pollock Executive Arm Chair for Knoll. Designed in 1963 by Charles Pollock, this chair has become one of Knoll’s most recognizable and enduring ...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Knoll Pollock Executive Chair in Brown Leather
By Knoll, Charles Pollock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic mid-century office chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. The frame is heavy and sturdy and features black plastic with polished metal. The seat is upholstered in brown...
Metal
Iconic George Nelson ‘Coconut’ Lounge Chair
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson, ‘Coconut’ lounge chair, fiberglass, leather upholstery, steel, United States, design 1955, later production The ‘Coconut’ lounge chair is one of George Nelson’s iconi...
Steel
George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Highland, IN
Introduced in 1946, the slat platform bench was one of Nelson's first designs for Herman Miller after becoming their design director. Intended to serve as a table, a seat, or a base ...
Maple
George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Original ebonised finish with warm patina. This is a hard to find original bench, retaining its foil la...
Maple
$3,516
H 33.47 in W 40.95 in D 34.65 in
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Obviously he took his inspiration from a coconut that...
Steel
Charles Pollock Executive Desk Chairs for Knoll
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 5 1980's vintage, Charles Pollock black executive desk chair for Knoll. The ultimate ergonomic, office desk chair designed by this George Nelson apprentice, Charles Pollock. S...
Chrome
Sold
H 31.11 in W 22.05 in D 28.75 in
4x DAF Swag Leg Arm Stuhl Charles Eames George Nelson Herman Miller
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von insgesamt vier wunderschönen und äußerst seltenen DAF Swag Leg Arm Stühlen von Herman Miller Collection zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von George Nelson bzw....
Metal
Mid Century White Swag Chairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
These classic mid century modern white “Swag” chairs were designed by George Nelson in 1958 and produced by Herman Miller circa 2010. The iconic mid century design features clean lin...
Steel
Vintage black leather George Nelson Swivel office chair
By George Nelson
Located in London, GB
Timeless sophistication for your workspace with this rare vintage swivel office chair designed by the legendary American designer, George Nelson. A masterpiece of mid-century moder...
Chrome
George Nelson / Jack Lenor Larsen Arm Chair for Herman Miller # 4663
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A sculptural birch wood curved arm chair with custom colorful Jack Lenor Larsen fabric upholstery . From the early 1950's Mid Century era the chair is perfectly comfortable for a liv...
Upholstery, Birch
Sold
H 32 in W 26.25 in D 23.63 in
Set of (4) Charles Pollock for Knoll Blue Tweed & Velvet Executive Chairs
By Charles Pollock, Knoll, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Sold as a st of (4) . Unfortunately, the FMV team doesn't have the time to restore these iconic chairs, so this is a great opportunity to get a set for pennies on the dollar. They...
Stainless Steel
George Nelson Walnut Armchairs, Herman Miller- A Pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Raleigh, NC
Early armchairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller. One chair has the original tag. These have been newly upholstered in a mohair fabric with the frames being cleaned and oiled, l...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 26.25 in D 23.63 in
Charles Pollock for Knoll Red Tweed Executive Chair with Height Tension Knob
By Charles Pollock, Knoll, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Original red tweed Charles Pollock for knoll executive chair. The original red fabric is in outstanding condition. Our restoration team has steam cleaned rendering the color is more ...
Stainless Steel
George Nelson Armchair 4663 for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
George Nelson is widely known as perhaps one of the most significant designers for Herman Miller in the middle of the 20th century. While his designs under Herman Miller continue to ...
Birch
George Nelson Paddle Armchair for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful vintage, completely original, early version of this scarce chair, chrome in great order, original black Naugahyde upholstery, overall one to have!
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 32 in W 26.25 in D 23.63 in
Charles Pollock for Knoll Blue Tweed Executive Chairs W/ Height Tension Knob
By Charles Pollock, Knoll, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Sold as a pair The blue woven wool tweed looks both original and in excellent condition. Both chairs have been professionally steam-cleaned and the color is now bright and even. T...
Stainless Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pair of Armchairs
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
George Nelson pair of armchairs. Blond maple construction with curving arms that wrap around the back. Very comfortable and ample seat size. Sold as a pair. Looks like they were reup...
Upholstery, Maple
Sold
H 32 in W 26.25 in D 23.63 in
Charles Pollock for Knoll Red Tweed Executive Chairs w/ Height Tension Knob
By Knoll, Charles Pollock, George Nelson
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Sold as a pair The red tweed looks both original and in very good condition. Both chairs have been professionally steam-cleaned and the color is now bright and even. The chrome ed...
Stainless Steel