George Nelson Tables
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, as well as its competitor, the Howard Miller Clock Company. 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 these pages, 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.
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Maple
1960s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Maple, Lacquer
1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal
Late 20th Century American Modern George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Walnut
1960s Vintage George Nelson Tables
Chrome
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Formica, Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal, Aluminum
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Walnut
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Wood, Birch
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
1960s North American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal, Chrome
Mid-20th Century American George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal, Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Mahogany
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Maple
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Formica, Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Maple
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Maple, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Wood, Walnut
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal, Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Steel, Metal
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Laminate
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal, Chrome
1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Maple
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Mahogany
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Wood, Birch
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Chrome
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Travertine, Wrought Iron
1950s American Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Metal
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Wenge
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Steel
2010s Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Maple
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Aluminum, Steel
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Aluminum, Steel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Metal
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Iron
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Steel
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Walnut
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Walnut
George Nelson tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
- Why is George Nelson famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George 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.
- What did George Nelson make?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George 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 ExpertMarch 22, 2022Modern 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, 2022George 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.