George Nelson Tables
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 Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarer find in original black finish. Clever design by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Measures: 40" depth
29.75" height.
64.75" long unfolded
41.5" half folded
18.5" folded.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood
George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Ebonized X Leg Dining Table / Desk 7230-X
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare George nelson X leg dining table / desk, produced by Herman Miller. This example is the model number 7230-X ta...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson, Pair of Low Tables with Curved Iron Structure
By George Nelson
Located in Milano, IT
COD-1439
George Nelson
Pair of low tables with curved iron structure and glass top resting on small colored spheres.
UK manufacture, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Rare George Nelson Coffetable with Castors
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
From the steelframe series.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....
Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Steel Frame Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1960s. Steel frame with laminate top, rare piece of history. Tagged on bottom.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
Special Pedestal Occasional Coffee Table No. 5452, George Nelson, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
the versatile classic, designed by george nelson in 1954, was initially produced in 2 sizes with black or white legs and table plates made from chipboard, the edge of the table cover...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Herman Miller Mid-Century Tables
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century end tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Walnut frames with white laminate tops.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
$1,400 / set
George Nelson 1960s Coffee Table Model 5452 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Vigevano, PV
George Nelson 1960s Coffee Table Model 5452 for Herman Miller
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
C. 2000s George Nelson for Herman Miller White Laminate Pedestal Side Table 28"
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Nelson Pedestal side table. Originally designed by George Nelson in 1954, with this particular example was produced by Herman Miller in the USA in the 2000s. The table is c...
Category
Early 2000s American Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
American Modern Wood Metal Dining Table by George Nelson Herman Miller, 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in MIlano, IT
American Modern wood and black metal Dining table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
elegant and fantastic dining table with thick ova...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson Platform Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Platform Bench from Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in 1946, this was a part of Nelson’s first collection for Herm...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Maple
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 5259 X-Leg Dining Table with Walnut Top
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Soft Edge Curved Dining Table, model 5259, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. The piece has a walnut top and white enam...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel, Enamel
George Nelson EOG Walnut Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1950s. A large dining table or work table from George Nelson’s Executive Office Group for Herman Miller. Features a generous rec...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
Walnut Side Table with Planters by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dorchester, MA
George Nelson designed this uniquely functional side table, model 4745, for Herman Miller. Constructed of walnut with ebonized block legs, it houses two square copper planting boxes...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Copper, Chrome
1950s Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table
By George Nelson
Located in Monrovia, CA
1950s Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller gate leg dining table
George Nelson Vintage 1950s Walnut Gate Leg Dining Table By Herman Miller.
George Nelson Designed This Table For Herman Miller In The 1950s With A Special Wide Wood Hinge And Double Gate Leg For Stability.
This Table Is Considered An Iconic Mid Century Modern Design.
This Fabulous Design Is Essentially 3 Modern Tables In 1.
1. A Small Dining Table.
2. A Desk or Work Table With 1 Leaf In The Up Position.
3. A Large Dining Table - Fully Extended - Seating 6 or More .
This Original Walnut George Nelson Gate Leg Table...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Round Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
The George Nelson-designed round pedestal side table for Herman Miller features a timeless and sleek design. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it boasts a circular table s...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
C. 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table, Model 4656
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gate Leg Dining Table, model 4656, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular example was produced in the United States circa 1954. . T...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson Black Pedestal Table by Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Madrid, ES
Pedestal table, originally designed by George Nelson in 1954, with four-branched base in black lacquered aluminum. Tabletop in black laminate with a visible edge in birch veneer. Pro...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
1960s George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office I Desk
By Robert Propst, Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut and Leather Desk Table, Model 64906, designed by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1964. The design was a part of the Action Office Series. This e...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson Action Office Roll-Top-Desk for Herman Miller 1964-1968
By George Nelson
Located in Epfach, DE
George Nelson Action Office Roll-Top-Desk for Herman Miller 1964-1968
Der Roll-Top Desk von George Nelson ist ein ikonisches Beispiel für das innovative Möbeldesign des 20. Jahrhund...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Wrought Iron Coffee Table by George Nelson for Arbuck
By George Nelson, Arbuck
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. Glass top with iron frame. Indoor or outdoor use.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wrought Iron
George Nelson Rare Protype Bench / Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early and rare Nelson coffee table / bench with white rectangle Laminate top having black legs typical of the Nelson slat bench coffee table. This table was not produced in large n...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood
Prototype George Nelson Rosewood Round Dining or Conference Table, One of a Kind
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
This unique prototype table was designed by George Nelson and features a 1.5 inch thick Brazilian rosewood top made from lumber Nelson selected on a trip to Brasilia and meeting with...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side Tables
By Arbuck, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of elegant, tiered, wrought iron side tables by George Nelson For Arbuck feature travertine tops that lay within the frames and mesh bottom tiers at 14 inches height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Travertine, Wrought Iron
1959 George Nelson for Herman Miller No 5752 Rectangular Coffee Table in Teak
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare and unusual coffee table by George Nelson. This is the model number 5752 coffee table by George Nelson and Associates, which was produced by Herman Mil...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Teak
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side Table
Classic vintage mid century modern side table with white ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller White Laminate and Black Steel Rolling End / Sid
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
2 Pairs of American mid-century rolling end / side tables with square white laminate tops and lower shelves contained in an open cube-form black coated steel frame, resting on four s...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
Vintage George Nelson Herman Miller Steel Frame White Coffee Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful clean signed example of this form. All original. White laminate top. Original white finish. Style of Florence Knoll.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Pair of Early Foil Label Original George Nelson Herman Miller Swag Leg Tables
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful example of this iconic design in nice vintage condition. A nice early Herman Miller Foil Strip label attached to underside. Acquired a 2nd identical table with the same Foi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Side Table / Nightstand on Pedestal Base
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Pedestal Occasional Table, model 5655, designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller in 1956. The piece has a case of Brazilian Rosewood and has a pedestal base of white enameled aluminum. It has one drawer. The base has been professionally restored, and the rosewood case has been freshly refinished.
The piece measures 17 inches deep, 24 inches wide...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Coffee Table by George Nelson Model 5751
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Model 5751 coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Features a white laminated top, polished steel base, and mahogany apron. Retains original label. A clean, iconic exam...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
Price Upon Request
George Nelson tables for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nelson tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables 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 tables by Brown Saltman, Charles and Ray Eames, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for George Nelson tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,013 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,400.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Tables
- 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.
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