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.
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!
Aluminum
Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
Aluminum
$1,950
H 14.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
MCM Platform Slat Bench or Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
A true one-of-a-kind design! MCM platform slat bench or coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 2000s. The bench is in good condition with some knicks and dings due to...
Maple
$1,950
H 14.75 in Dm 39.75 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Coffee Table - Model 5756 - Walnut + Aluminum
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Decatur, GA
Scarce George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 5756 Cocktail Table in walnut and aluminum, circa 1950s. The juxtaposition of the hard lines and right angles of the aluminum base agains...
Aluminum
$3,800
H 28.15 in W 72.04 in D 40.15 in
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
$1,800
H 22.5 in W 17.75 in D 34.25 in
C. 1954 George Nelson For Herman Miller End Table/Cabinet With Glass Top
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an End Table / Cabinet from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series, originally designed in 1946. This particular example was produced by Herman Miller C. 1954. This piece is co...
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal/ Side Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
George Nelson for Herman Miller Pedestal Table. Aluminum Base with a formica top and maple edge. Classic, useful design! Very clean example!
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller Extendable Dining Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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 Side Table for Herman Miller, Usa, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson side table for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s.
Wenge
$2,850
H 16.75 in Dm 28.5 in
Early Pedestal Coffee Table No. 5452 Designed by Irving Harper for George Nelson
By Herman Miller, Irving Harper
Located in Kansas City, MO
Round white pedestal coffee / side table designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson Office and made by Herman Miller between 1954-1957. Signed with the early Herman Miller Georg...
Steel
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....
Metal
$4,500
H 20.5 in W 24 in D 17 in
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...
Aluminum
George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Argelato, BO
George Nelson Vintage "Pedestal" Side Table for Herman Miller A simple and elegant pedestal side table with round top having cast meat star base . The base with foot pads to protect...
Metal
MidCentury George Nelson Sling Table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Produced for only 4 years this exceptionally rare "Sling Table" is in wonderful vintage condition. Featuring a rounded granite top on chromed legs. A perfe...
Granite, Steel, Chrome
Vintage George Nelson Pedestal Tables 5452
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
Minimalist chrome pedestal tables with white Formica tops designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The cast aluminum legs have a sculptural quality and give the tops a floating e...
Aluminum, Chrome
Sold
H 22.45 in Dm 16.93 in
Early Pair of Pedestal Side Tables by George Nelson for Contura / Herman Miller
By Contura, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Early pair of pedestal side tables, designed by George Nelson and manufactured by Contura in Germany in license of Herman Miller. Iconic d...
Steel
Sold
H 22.05 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
George Nelson Pedestal Table Model 5451 in Aluminum and Black for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Amsterdam, NL
George Nelson pedestal table (model 5451) produced by Herman Miller. Aluminum polished frame with black laminated top and ash veneer edge all in very good original condition. Signed ...
Aluminum
Pedestal Coffee Table 5452 by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, USA
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
Elegant Mid-Century Modern pedestal coffee table. Designed by George Nelson. Manufactured by Herman Miller in 1960s, USA. Executed in formica and white lacquered cast aluminium. D...
Aluminum
George Nelson Coffee Pedestal Table by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare rosewood or black combination on this Classic Nelson pedestal table in excellent condition.
Aluminum