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.
Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza (B) by George Nelson / Florence Knoll
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these with different Interior Configuration (found together) liste...
Wood
George Nelson Chest for Herman Miller Model 5517 Commode Sideboard 1952
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
Amazing Thin Edge Sideboard by George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Wonderful mirrored rosewood veneer.
Rosewood
Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza (A) by George Nelson / Florence Knoll
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Herman Miller Executive credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these with different Interior Configuration (found together) liste...
Wood
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...
Chrome
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 57 in D 18 in
Mid century birch dresser credenza by George Nelson Herman miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera dresser or credenza. Has left side cabinet door and Four drawers with curved nickel metal pulls. Has drawer dividers and left si...
Nickel
$2,330
H 28.5 in W 33.5 in D 17 in
Steel Frame Dresser By George Nelson For Herman Miller / Classic Modernist
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame dresser 'model 4016' were designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. white laminate tops that were ...
Metal, Chrome
$4,500Sale Price / set|27% Off
H 29.5 in W 34.25 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Primavera' Nightstands, c. 1955, Signed
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic pair of chests which can also be used as large nightstands were designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, part of the 'Basic Cabinet Series' and also called 'Primav...
Wood
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. Some light wear/scratches. Notably to the top. A ring-like mark on top. ...
Wood
$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
$3,500
H 29.75 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers 1955 Maple
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning example of mid-century modern craftsmanship, this George Nelson three-drawer cabinet from the Basic Cabinet Series embodies timeless elegance. Designed in the 1950s, it sh...
Birch, Lacquer
Vintage 3 Drawer Dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinet Model 4036 For Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact Mid-Century Modern Steel Frame credenza cabinet 'model 4036' was designed by American designer George Nelson circa 1955 and produced by Herman Miller. The cabinet featur...
Steel, Chrome
Teak Credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International
By Florence Knoll
Located in Dallas, TX
Credenza designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll International 1961. This example is in very good condition, constructed with teak featuring ten drawers and chromed steel base.
Teak
$3,000Sale Price|28% Off
H 29.5 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Basic Cabinet Series' Dresser, c. 1955, Signed
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic chest of drawers was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, part of the 'Basic Cabinet Series' and also called 'Primavera', t...
Wood
Vintage Mid-Century Credenza / Sideboard by Florence Knoll
Located in Oakville, CT
1950's Florence Knoll Walnut Credenza / Cabinet with Laminate Top Overall Dimensions: 18 3/4" deep x 48" wide x 27" high Top Dimensions: 17 3/4" deep x 48" wide Lower Sections: 15...
Steel
George Nelson Small Dresser for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dresser, in teak and metal, by George Nelson for Herman Miller, United States, 1950s. Small four-drawer cabinet by designer George Nelson. The design of this dresser is simplistic...
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 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
Sold
H 25.99 in W 69.3 in D 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Teak sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Teak sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 2 sliding doors, tubular chromed metal legs. Some scratches and repair Excellent vintage condition. Scratches and races of wear.
Steel
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
Rare Black Frame Teak Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare Black Frame Teak Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Features 3 doors, inside the left door is 1 drawer and shelves, the other side has 4 drawers. could be used as a...
Walnut
Small sideboard by Georges Nelson for Herman Miller - 1970
By George Nelson
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Amazing small sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1970s. It is made up of 2 black sliding doors and metal handles. It also has a shelf on each side that can be adjus...
Wood, Teak
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Sideboard
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Walnut and cane sideboard or storage unit designed by George Nelson for Eero Saarinen and the Irwin Union Bank built in 1954. Nice walnut veneer with contrasting white laminate work...
Cane, Laminate, Walnut
Sideboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1970s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Basic Cabinets, a pair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Portland, OR
A fantastic pair of cabinets by George Nelson from his “Basic Cabinet Series” 1946. These retain their original finish in excellent condition, and have the less common round enameled...
Mahogany
George Nelson Thin Edge Sideboard, Herman Miller, circa 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Beautiful George Nelson for Herman Miller thin edge sideboard / credenza. Walnut case in excellent condition. Large proportions and plenty of room ...
Aluminum