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 Gateleg Drop Leaf Dining Table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson expandable gateleg dining table table for Herman Miller, c.1950s, USA. The walnut table features beautiful dovetail joinery, two drop leaves and a center leaf. The tabl...
Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Extendable Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Esperance, NY
Available for purchase is this beautiful original mid-century table, featuring two butterfly leaves for easy extension. When fully extended, the table measures 82” in width.
Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal Dining Table Desk, 1960
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Vienna, AT
Unusual original dining or desk table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, mid century Dimensions are 72.04" x 40.15" x 28.15" (height) This dining table was designed by George Nels...
Aluminum
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...
Wood, Walnut
1950's George Nelson X-Leg Extension Dining Table Model 5062
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
Early George Nelson model 5062 X-Leg extension dining table for Herman Miller, 1952. Table has two 12 inch extension leaves and pull-out metal extension tracks. Table is 29 inches...
Iron
Prototype George Nelson Rosewood Round Dining or Conference Table, One of a Kind
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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...
Aluminum, Steel
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
George Nelson for Herman Miller Circular White Laminate Lazy Susan Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century circular dining table with a white laminate top featuring a central lazy susan circular section that rotates, resting on a white powder coated metal pedestal bas...
Metal
X Leg Extendable Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. Rare iron base Nelson x leg table. Laminate top with two leaves.
Iron
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...
Steel, Chrome
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 5259 X-Leg Dining Table with Walnut Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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...
Steel, Enamel
George Nelson Gate leg Drop Leaf Dining Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Blonde color wood table with two extensions. Designed by George Nelson with two gate legs on each side that swing out to hold the top sturdy. Table goes from 18" when closed to over...
Maple
George Nelson Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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.
Wood
Pedestal Extension Table model 5559 By GEORGE NELSON for HERMAN MILLER 1950S
By George Nelson
Located in Vigevano, PV
Pedestal Extension Table model 5559 By GEORGE NELSON for HERMAN MILLER 1950S
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Hidden Leaf Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Hidden Leaf Dining Table This table measures: 54 wide x 36 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 25 inches, each hidden leaf m...
Walnut
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table in Walnut
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gate-Leg Dining Table, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular examples was produced in the United States and dates to the 1950s. Th...
Walnut
1960s George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office I Desk
By Herman Miller, Robert Propst, 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...
Steel, Iron
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...
Steel
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Dining Table with Custom Planter
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a large dining or conference table, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1950s. This model was custom-made to include space for a planter in the middle of the p...
Laminate, Wood
C. 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Soft Edge Curved Dining Table
By 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. This example dates to c. 1954. The piece has a rosewood veneer top, and is s...
Steel
$6,800Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 96 in
Contemporary Solid White Oak Dining or Conference Table
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dinners are our favorite. We love having them, hosting them, laughing around during them, cleaning up after them. This is what our dining table is and means to us. The solid white oak...
Wood, Oak
$3,295
H 29.14 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
MidCentury Pedestal Extension Dining Table - George Nelson - Herman Miller - 60s
By Herman Miller
Located in Milano, IT
Pedestal extension dining table model 5559B designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, produced in the USA in the 1960s. Dining or conference table model 5559B, designed by George...
Aluminum
Danish Large Dining or Conference Table in Oregon Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Conference or large dining table, Oregon pine, Denmark, 1960s Impressive in its size, this Danish table can be used in multiple settings. As a very large dining table to fit many r...
Pine
Italian Midcentury Dining or Conference Table, 1950s
By Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Hugh wooden table with beautiful and particular details in the style of Gianfranco Frattini. Excellent craftsmanship in very good original condition with small signs of wear, please have a look to all pictures. More pictures are available. Could be used as conference table as well as big dining table...
Plywood
Round Brass Burl Wood Glass Top Center Dining Conference Table Henredon
By Mastercraft, Henredon
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern brass burlwood dining table with 3/4 inch round glass top. Stunning accent piece of furniture. The pedestal will work with larger diameter glass.
Brass
$9,500
H 30 in W 55 in D 50 in
Large Round Octagon Shape Single Pedestal Travertine Dining Conference Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Round Octagon Shape Single Pedestal Travertine Dining Conference Table
Marble, Travertine
$1,192
H 30.32 in W 37.41 in D 35.44 in
Antique Dining Table With Extension Plates Made In Mahogany From 1840s
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining table of mahogany with extension plates, in great antique condition from the 1840s. Fully extendend the table measurese 151 cm.
Mahogany
$9,600
H 31 in W 114 in D 36 in
Extra Long Oval Dark Walnut Dining Conference Table on Stainless Chrome Base
By Herman Miller, Knoll
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Elongated oval shape dark walnut Knoll, Herman Miller match dining conference table.
Walnut
$9,000
H 30 in W 96 in D 44 in
Large Rectangular Double Pedestal Travertine Dining or Conference Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Outstanding large Mid-Century Modern 1.5" thick travertine marble top dining table.
Travertine
$6,400
H 30 in W 71 in D 39 in
Grey & White Marble Rounded Corners Single Pedestal Dining Conference Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern grey & white marble rounded corners single pedestal dining conference table.
Marble
Marble Herman Miller Dining Table
By Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
Custom marble Herman Miller table. 36" Cream marble top with the iconic Herman Miller segmented base. Great for dining or small conference a...
Marble, Aluminum
$6,500
H 29 in W 78 in D 42 in
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller 5259 X-Leg Dining Table with Walnut Top
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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...
Steel, Enamel
Sold
H 29 in W 60 in D 36 in
Mid century modern walnut extension dining table by George Nelson Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century modern original walnut extension dining table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller with 2 leaves. This dining table has a walnut top with 2x walnut leaves that sto...
Steel
Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Table with wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1950s. Wear due to time and age of the table FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE ...
Metal
Sold
H 27.56 in Dm 47.25 in
Round Conference or Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Nice round dining or conference table designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller around 1960. It has a white top and rod combined with a chromed star shaped base. This table is very similar to the Eames contract tables...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Extending Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 5757 Extending Dining Table, with two leaves, "George Nelson design / Herman Miller-zeeland-michigan" label to underside. 29.5" H x 36" W; 70.25...
Steel
Vintage Walnut Drop Leaf Table By George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful walnut drop leaf table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Top has been refinished. dimensions while fully expanded are 29.75h x 40d x 64.75w. with the leaves down it is ...
Walnut
Dining table by George Nelson for Herman Miller F66
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
George Nelson was a pioneering modernist who ranks with Raymond Loewy, Charles Eames, and Eliot Noyes as one of America's outstanding designers. Beside being a leading designer and n...
Metal
Large Table by Georges Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden table with metal legs by George Nelson. Numbered on the leg. Wear due to time and age of the table.
Metal
George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller c.2000’s. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally in...
Chrome
Walnut Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1956-1964
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hamburg, PA
This is an extremely rare and beautiful dining table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. There are two self-storing leaves that are concealed inside/ under the table top when not in ...
Walnut
Sold
H 28.35 in W 72.25 in D 40.16 in
George Nelson Extendable American Dining Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Munster, NRW
The table is extendable to 235 and 286.5 cm in width. In a good original vintage condition, preserving a patina. A dining table designed by George Nelson, manufactured by Herman Mil...
Aluminum
George Nelson Drop Leaf Table ca' 1950s Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
George Nelson’s 1947 design for Herman Miller was an updated take on the classic gateleg table. The central panel support has four rotating legs that allow for more stability than th...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.75 in W 42.13 in D 42.13 in
George Nelson for Contura, Herman Miller White Laminate Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Munster, NRW
Rare extending pedestal dining table designed by George Nelson in 1954, 1st edition. Maple construction with micrata top in white colourway. On original four star powder coated steel base with all feet glides intact.?These extending tables are great if space is an issue. Unsurpassed attention to detail you would expect from George Neslon. Unique Watertown Slide...
Aluminum