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George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

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
George Nelson Miniature Chest Model 5215, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Brussels, BE
Category

1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

George Nelson Dresser/Storage Cabinet on Modular Group Platform, Rare Version
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson for Herman Miller cabinet with attached table. Rare T pulls. Four drawers and one door with adjustable shelf. The teak cabinet and white laminate table attache to the s...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel

George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Mateo, CA
Double pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

Pair George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Bookcases with Walnut Doors
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Francisco, CA
A pair George Nelson designed Black bookcases with Walnut doors for Herman Miller. Each shallow unit has one adjustable shelf, and small cabinet with a Walnut door. Behind the doo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

George Nelson For Herman Miller Desk And Credenza
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern desk and credenza designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller. The walnut credenza with multiple drawers and compartments for storage. The desk with wa...
Category

1960s American Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Amazing Thin Edge Sideboard by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful mirrored rosewood veneer.
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Midcentury Action Office Roll Top Desk George Nelson for H Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Herman Miller George Nelson action office series drafting desk 1965 design This vintage roll-top writing desk is from the Herman Miller "Action...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Pair of Walnut Dressers, Model 4620, by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by George Nelson as model 4620 for Herman Miller's Basic Cabinet Series, this pair of walnut dressers sits on ebonized wood legs. Each...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller Cabinet Model 5211
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Houston, TX
George Nelson & Associates Miniature cabinet, model 5211 Herman Miller USA, 1950s Walnut, rosewood, enameled steel, laminate, porcelain Measures: 20.25 W × 14 D × 32.25 H in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Basic Series Cabinet on Ebonized Herman Miller Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare 1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller cabinet set upon an1 iconic Herman Miller slat ebonized bench.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Walnut One-Door 5 Drawers Gentleman's High Chest Dresser Cabinet
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut George Nelson for Herman Miller Storage five drawers cabinet dresser gentleman's high chest.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

1950s Walnut Open Cabinet with Glass Shelving by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid walnut open cabinet or vitrine with three adjustable glass shelves and a solid glass paneled back.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Pair of George Nelson Design for Herman Miller Chests / Dressers / Commodes
By George Nelson
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of Mid-Century Modern George Nelson design for Herman Miller chests / dressers / commodes. Signed with labels this pair of side by side and all drawer chests have mahogany fro...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

George Nelson Rosewood "Thin Edge" Chests
By George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of original grain matched George Nelson design rosewood "Thin Edge" chests for Herman Miller. Very good original condition, labeled.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /Cabinets
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Oak Modular Storage Unit with Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Dorchester, MA
George Nelson designed this handsome modular unit for Herman Miller. It comprises a set of drawers, a cabinet, a bookcase hutch, and a table/desk whose top lifts to reveal extra divi...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Oak

Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The desk was made specifically for a client in the Promontory Apartment Building in Chicago designed by Nelson's associate, and world-renowned architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The entire apartment was outfitted in pieces from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series for Herman Miller that sat, untouched for nearly 70 years in their original setting! In addition to two aluminium sconces, this piece also features hidden, fluorescent lighting mounted in the upper canopy as a clever solution to Mies van der Rohe's lack of ceiling fixtures. This is a gorgeous, grandiose, and extremely rare piece of design history that will instantly outfit an entire office in striking style! Features: Desk: - Book-matched walnut veneer - Built-in Bar - Built in coat closet/wardrobe - Dual aluminum sconces - Hidden, indirect fluorescent lighting - Silver-plated Herman Miller hardware - Dual "floating" book shelves - Tapered, cantilevered peninsula desk...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

54" Vintage Single Pedestal Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
54" Vintage single pedestal desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This distinctive desk has two drawers, one of which is a filing drawer along with stainless steel legs. A great d...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Five-Drawer Ribbon Mahogany Tall Dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Ribbon mahogany five-drawer dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller. M-shaped aluminium pulls and hair pin aluminium legs. Top drawer is partitioned as is the third deeper drawer.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century George Nelson Dresser for Herman Miller, Walnut, Silver Pulls, Rare
By George Nelson
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Early production of George Nelson walnut highboy dresser for Herman Miller, very rare silver plated drawer pulls. All original finish with beautiful patina.
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Silver

George Nelson Herman Miller Miniature Chest # 5215
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual version of the George Nelson miniature/jewelry chest #5215. This one features the white formica on the bottom of the case not the top as is more typical. Teak wood constructi...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Dressers
By George Nelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Thin edge dressers by George Nelson for Herman Miller Porcelain handles and metal legs. Dressers have been refinished.  
Category

1950s American Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson "Dry Erase" Desk with Return
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly laminated Formica top with dry erase laminate. Very cool, dry/erase surface for your work desk. Extr...
Category

1950s American Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Chrome

George Nelson Chest for Herman Miller Model 5517 Commode Sideboard 1952
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Telgte, DE
George Nelson vertical chest of drawers commode for Herman Miller model 5517 sideboard 1952 The solid wood Nelson miniature chest, inspired by J...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Three Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
3 Drawer Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Very good condition.
Category

Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Birch, Lacquer

Three-Piece George Nelson Cabinetry Display Case Unit
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Two small chests support the glass front display unit, vitrine. This versatile set can be used as shown, or separated into two dressers and a long glass display case. Selling three p...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

Chest of Drawers by George Nelson
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegantly simple rectilinear chest of drawers in bleached ash with gracefully curved steel pulls, which floats on squared low wooden legs.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel

Early George Nelson Buffet Cabinet 4625
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This is a very rare 1940s petite buffet cabinet designed by George Nelson for his first modern collection for Herman Miller in 1948. The buffet cabinet fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Walnut Two Door Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
This is an iconic double door cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1950s. Often referred to as the Primavera Line, part of the Basic Cabinet Series. A beautifu...
Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

George Nelson for Herman Miller Large Dresser
By George Nelson
Located in Princeton Junction, NJ
George Nelson for Herman Miller Large Dresser with Tassel Pulls.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Low Walnut Cabinet Credenza
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Wonderful low cabinet by Herman Miller designed by George Nelson. This beautiful brown walnut long low credenza features 2x front original walnut sliding doors with 4 sections inside...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Metal

George Nelson Walnut Executive Desk by Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A dark walnut executive desk with a floating top having a smaller drawer and larger file drawer to each side . Aluminum pulls and brushed stainless steel legs enhance the look and fe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Walnut

George Nelson Steel Frame Dresser Chest for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A steel framed dresser chest with off white frame , blue fronted wooden drawers having the sides and back painted in contrasting olive green . The oval chrome metal pulls and satin ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel, Chrome

George Nelson Steel Frame Desk for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A satin black steel framed desk with okra yellow toned drawer fronts and olive colored sides and backs of drawers . Detailed chrome oval pulls and having a white Laminate desk top gi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel, Chrome

George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Rosewood 8 Drawer Dresser
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
An 8 drawer dresser designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, in Brazilian rosewood with its original white porcelain pulls and classic Thin Edge aluminum legs. The front drawers ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Porcelain, Rosewood

Pair George Nelson 4-Drawer 'Basic Group' Dressers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple elegant modern walnut chest of drawers with ebonized wood legs and aluminum pulls, c. 1950. The original finish has a warm patina and even color. For Herman Miller, Retains al...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Headboards & Nightstands by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Kensington, MD
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Headboards & Nightstands by George Nelson for Herman Miller Additional information: Material: Wool Classic George Nelson Styling on This Pair of Hairb...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Wool

George Nelson "Primavera" Black Enameled Mahogany 4 Drawer Dresser, 1950's
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Bainbridge, NY
George Nelson for Herman Miller "Basic Series" / "Primavera" Four Drawer Mahogany Dresser, circa 1955. The rectangular paneled Mahogany Cabinet, Dresser features four drawers, circul...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Mahogany

George Nelson for Herman Miller Office Desk, Rare Black Leather Writing Surface
By George Nelson
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Rare black leather top desk in original condition, acquired from NYC architect's estate. This color combination is part of the permanent collection at the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City. Designed by George Nelson and Associates and manufactured by Herman Miller Furniture Company. It is dated 1946. Its medium is walnut veneer on pine, tubular steel, leather, perforated sheet aluminum. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department. Few designers contributed as many objects and ideas relating to the modern office as did George Nelson. His designs for office furniture resonate as deeply today as they did in the mid-twentieth century; his modular, interchangeable desk and storage solutions forever changed the conventional work stations, and his Action Office of the 1960s, designed in collaboration with Herman Miller cohort Robert Propst, was the genesis of the office cubicle. Although created for the home office rather than a corporate setting, the Model 4658...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

George Nelson Cabinet Rare Designed Pulls for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Westport, CT
George Nelson walnut cabinet with rare designed hardware pulls, black legs, divided top draw compartments and original label, this piece a...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets

Materials

Steel

George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets 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 case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by George Nelson were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Herman Miller, Edward Wormley, and Dunbar. Prices for George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,260 and can go as high as $22,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,998.
Questions About George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
  • 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 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 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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