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.
Lazy Susan Round Dining Table Very Rare Brazilian Rosewood Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early, rare rosewood lazy susan dining table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The center white laminate area is a lazy susan so it turns in a circular motion. This is the...
Steel
Anambé Brazilian Unique Rare Wood Dining Table round
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
Anambé dining table is part of a very important project to develop poor Amazonian communities in the art of manufacturing design furniture using correctly the FSC certified wood prod...
Wood
Round Midcentury Spider Leg Dining Table
By Augusto Romano
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Fabulous round dining table with an organic design and with a gold colored glass top. Produced in Italy in the 1950s in the manner of Augusto Romano. The legs have supreme craftsmans...
Glass, Walnut
Giorgio Collection Brazilian Rosewood Dining Table in Satin Finish
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular table in Brazilian rosewood satin finish with Italian walnut inlay top with 2 extension of cm. 48 (19”) each. Brushed steel accents on the base. Art Deco Size 78’’ ½ W ...
Stainless Steel
Giorgio Collection Rectangular Table in Brazilian Rosewood
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Rectangular table in Brazilian rosewood veneer with high gloss polyester finish. Fixed top with base in bronzed stain- less steel. Sunburst veneer to...
Bronze
Lazy Susan Salento Table
By Villari
Located in Solagna, IT
Salento Marble Table embodies the timeless beauty of Italian craftsmanship, sculpted from authentic marble renowned for its warm tones and natural veining. Each table is a one-of-a-k...
Marble
Diamante Round Canaletto & Carrara Marble Table With Lazy Susan
By Durame
Located in Milan, IT
The spontaneous charm of natural materials meets in this table the visual impact of bold geometric volumes. Fashioned of solid Canaletto walnut, the structure boasts a rich grain tha...
Marble
$21,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in Dm 60 in
60" Alexander Black Marble Lazy Susan Table - Round Large Massive Marble Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in İnegöl, TR
Alexander Black Marble Dining Table with Integrated Lazy Susan Creator: Tinella Wood Materials: Solid Alexander Black Marble Dimensions: 60" (152 cm) Diameter 20" (51 cm) Integrat...
Marble
$109,200
H 29.14 in W 65.75 in D 29.93 in
Rosewood Dining Table with Glass Top, Joaquim Tenreiro, 1947, Midcentury Brazil
By Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in New York, NY
This exquisitely crafted dining table, designed by Joaquim Tenreiro (1906-1992) in 1947, evokes a refined coexistence of traditional values and modern aesthetics. Its delicate shapes give the impression that the pieces float in the space. Tenreiro came to see the often heavy, overstuffed pieces that dominated the market as being incompatible with a tropical country like Brazil. He promoted furniture that was formally light, as described in his own words: “Lightness, which has nothing to do with the weight per se, but with grace and functionality in space.” Our pieces present original stamps of Tenreiro Móveis e Decorações...
Glass, Hardwood
$9,091 / item
H 28.75 in Dm 63 in
Round Dining Table With Lazy Susan 160cm Interlock By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
Description: Round dining table with lazy susan Round wooden dining table 160cm with lazy susan in the middle. Removable lazy susan for cleaning purpose....
Ash
Sesto Senso Round Dining Table with Lazy Susan
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Boston, MA
Dining table with inlay veneered top. Lazy Susan in marble. Wood and metal base. Materials: Forest eucalyptus and metal finish brushed copper and Calcutta egg silk marble Also a...
Marble
Danish Mid-Century Circular Walnut Revolving Lazy Susan Dining Table
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Mid-Century circular walnut dining table with a rotating lazy susan top resting on an X-shaped walnut base with tapered square legs. (JENS RISOM)(Similar tables: DUF0276, DUF0...
Wood, Walnut
$60,200
H 29.53 in W 49.22 in D 76.78 in
Jorge Zalszupin 'Guanabara' Rosewood Vintage Dining Table, 1960s, Brazil
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
The iconic Guanabara is a table designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in 1959 and produced by his company, L'atelier. A rosewood patchwork top rests over one concrete base finished...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 31.5 in W 28.75 in D 22.45 in
Set of Swaged Leg Dining Table and 4 Chairs by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Stunning and rare set of a square swaged leg dining table - made of walnut and chrome steel. And four swaged Leg arm chairs, model MAF - made of...
Steel
George Nelson Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined midcentury dining table, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American, circa 1960s. This piece is currently being refinished and will look incredible when it is ...
Metal
George Nelson Pretzel Dining Chairs
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of four rare model 5098 "Pretzel" dining chairs, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, America, circa 1952. They retain their original finish with a warm patina and were r...
Birch, Cowhide
Outdoor Dining Set by George Nelson for Arbuck
By George Nelson, Arbuck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare George Nelson for Arbuck outdoor dining set consisting of a wrought iron table and four chairs. Made in USA, circa 1950s. C...
Wrought Iron
George Nelson Dining Set for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage dining set designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Features steel chrome frames, metal trims around the backrest's and floating seats.
Chrome, Steel
George Nelson For Herman Miller Dining Table And Six Chairs
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern extension dining table and six chairs designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller. Ebonized wood table with pop-up leaf that expands the table from 54"...
Fabric, Wood