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.
George Nelson Thin Edge Buffet/Sideboard for Herman Miller, 1950s. Signed
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare, long out of production George Nelson walnut Thin Edge buffet/sideboard/credenza/storage cabinet. Original 1950s acquired from the original owner. Retains the original finish. A...
Aluminum
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with 2 black sliding doors, each containing height-adjustable shelves and lockable doors designed by George Nelson. Wear due to time and age. For shipping, request u...
Metal
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with 2 black sliding doors, each containing height-adjustable shelves and one door that can be locked designed by George Nelson. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPI...
Metal
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with 2 black sliding doors, each containing height-adjustable shelves and one door that can be locked designed by George Nelson. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPI...
Metal
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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...
Chrome
Vintage 3 Drawer Dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Walnut 3 drawer dresser with the classic cupcake pulls. This Dresser is part of the Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Walnut
$16,566
H 44.5 in W 10.38 in D 19 in
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...
Metal, Aluminum
George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Profile Cabinet
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson Herman Miller Thin Profile Cabinet. Uncommon little cabinet that does not take up much space. Please request additional photos and condition report. Some light wear. ...
Wood
George Nelson Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson BSC cabinet for Herman Miller, c.1950's, USA. The design features a two door walnut cabinet with interior shelves. Each cabinet door has a polished aluminum pull. The c...
Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Chests/Dressers, a Pair
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A beautiful pair of dressers designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Finished in a spectacular combed oak veneer. One of the most lively, beautiful, vibrant veneers we’ve ever s...
Oak
George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Lake Worth, FL
1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...
Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Wall Unit, 1950
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS Wall Unit, 1950’s. Unit is Walnut and made in Zeeland, Michigan. Measures 96” wide 19.5” deep 63” tall 2 Bottom ...
Walnut
$18,500
H 95.5 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production 'CSS" - Comprehensive Storage System designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1959. This system is in excellent condition with the early Herman Miller lable cons...
Aluminum
$6,600 / set
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 17 in
Pair Of Steel Frame Dressers By George Nelson For Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair of Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame dressers 'model 4016' were designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. Both dressers feature pow...
Steel, Chrome
$1,950
H 25.5 in W 72 in D 23 in
1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Laminate, Oak
$10,166
H 26.78 in W 30.12 in D 12.8 in
Rosewood Miniature Series Chest by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1952
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful model 5215 Miniature chest in very good condition. Designer: George Nelson (1908–1986) Manufacturer: Herman Miller Model: 5215 Series: Miniature Chests Design year: 19...
Metal, Aluminum
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with 1 black sliding door containing two height-adjustable shelves. There is a door on the side containing a shelf, and a trapdoor on the top so that a waste bin can...
Metal
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden sideboard with 2 sliding doors each containing 2 height-adjustable shelves. Metal feet. The keys are stamped Herman Miller. Wear and tear due to time and age.
Metal
Sold
H 33.5 in W 80 in D 18.5 in
Early George Nelson Thin Edge Sideboard / Credenza / Buffet for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hudson, NY
Hard to find version in very good original condition. George Nelson Design for Herman Miller "Thin Edge" sideboard. This is a stunning early example in walnut. Designed as a sideboa...
Stainless Steel
Early George Nelson Buffet Cabinet 4625
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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...
Walnut
George Nelson Thin Edge Server in Walnut for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Early George Nelson designed, thin-edge server in walnut with black and silver hourglass hardware and turned aluminum hourglass legs. Retains the e...
Aluminum
Sideboard by Georges Nelson for Herman Miller 1970s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Side board composed of two sliding doors of black color. Foot in metal. No key. Wear due to time and lage of the sideboard.
Metal
Walnut Credenza by George Nelson for Herman Miller, Restored
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Nelson for Herman Miller credenza / sideboard / storage / media cabinet. Expertly refinished. Walnut case with walnut sliding doors revealing storage space with an adjustable ...
Aluminum, Chrome
George Nelson Midcentury Dark Wood Cabinet, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
1960s dark wood cabinet / office cabinet designed by George Nelson with metal and aluminum detail and original key, new black sliding doors, midcent...
Aluminum
Rosewood Thin Edge Cabinet by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood thin edge dresser designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Rosewood and Walnut Thin Edge Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A thin edge cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller with rosewood case and walnut doors.
George Nelson Thin Edge Cabinet in Walnut
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful George Nelson for Herman Miller thin edge sideboard / credenza. Early example with brushed aluminum legs and porcelain handles. Label int...
Aluminum
Ebonized Buffet or Credenza with Aluminum Pulls by George Nelson, 1950
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Handsome ebonized buffet or credenza with aluminum pulls by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950. Fully restored and in excellent condition. Could also function as a dresser. W...