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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 White Laminate Pedestal Dinette Mid Century Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A George Nelson for Herman Miller pedestal dinette table. A fantastic little table with a white laminate table top, a wooden table, and a white aluminum base with x-shaped legs. This...
Category

Mid-20th Century George Nelson Tables

Materials

Laminate

George Nelson - Pedestal Extension Dining Table, 1956 for Herman Miller, USA
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Munster, NRW
George Nelson - Extendable dining table with base 1956 for Herman Miller, USA The large Dining table consists of a white coated aluminum frame with a white laminated wooden top (For...
Category

1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

Materials

Aluminum

George Nelson Herman Miller Early Vintage Swag Leg Occasional Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful example of this iconic design in nice vintage condition. A nice early Herman Miller label still attached to underside. nice vintage condition.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables

Materials

Metal

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George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
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George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s
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George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller
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Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
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The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
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George Nelson for Herman Miller Lamp and Planter Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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Model 4634-L George Nelson for Herman Miller leather top lamp and planter table. Signed with foil label in drawer, George Nelson design, Herman Miller, ...
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Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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1950's George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table
By George Nelson
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Iconic George Nelson design for Herman Miller gate leg table. 2 fold wide wood hinged tops with double gate legs. The odd discoloration of one le...
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1950s George Nelson Swag Leg Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...
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1950s George Nelson Swag Leg Desk
1950s George Nelson Swag Leg Desk
H 34 in W 39 in D 28.5 in
Round Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
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...
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1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Action Office 1' Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early George Nelson Action Office 1 desk in original condition with minor wear. George Nelson for Herman Miller, polished aluminum, plastic laminate, w...
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Vintage Mid Century Modern Eames Herman Miller Table
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Eames Herman Miller Table This small table would is a cute stand that you can display statues, drinks, or other s...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables

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George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brescia, IT
George Nelson by Hermann Miller 1950s Laminated wood, aluminum base Rare model.
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George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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Metal, Chrome

Previously Available Items
George Nelson H leg EOG table for Herman Miller #2
By George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
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Chrome

George Nelson H leg EOG table for Herman Miller #1
By George Nelson
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This table comes from George Nelson's EOG (Executive Office Group) for Herman Miller designed in the 1950s. In the catalog (see final photo) it is listed as table M3108, with dimensi...
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Tavolo Vintage per Herman Miller Anni 60-70
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Milano, IT
Tavolo con base in alluminio e piano in legno impiallacciato legno esotico.
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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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Tavolo Vintage per Herman Miller Anni 60-70
Tavolo Vintage per Herman Miller Anni 60-70
H 28.94 in W 65.75 in D 29.93 in
Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Lasne, BE
Table with white wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1960s. Wear due to time and age of the table.
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1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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Metal

Extension Table No 5653 George Muhlhauser + George Nelson, Contura/Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Contura, George Mulhauser
Located in Munster, NRW
A George Nelson table is a classic, fitting every interior. This version does that literally, because it transforms from a small round table into an oval dining table 1.52 metres long – if there are a few more guests than expected. the versatile table, designed by George Nelson and George Mulhauser in 1956, consists of a four star powder coated steel base and a round formica top, split in half to allow insertion of a matching rectangular middle plate. The two halve plates slide on a unique patented mechanism: the ‘Watertown table...
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Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables

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Executive L-Shaped Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA, 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A rare and large Mid-Century Modern L-shaped executive desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in the 1960s The desk features an amazing rosewood wood grain, with polishe...
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Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in MIlano, IT
Coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s Coffee table with round wooden top and black painted metal leg. By George Nelson for Herman Miller. Good condition, restore...
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Extremely Rare and Early Ebonized Slat Bench, George Nelson / Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Extremely rare and early 36" ebonized slat bench designed by, George Nelson for Herman Miller,, 40 years in the business. I have only seen this size once. Purchased from an employee ...
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1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables

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George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century X Base Dining Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller mid century x base dining table This table measures: 84 wide x 36 deep x 28.75 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.5 inches All pieces of ...
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Rare Longer George Nelson Slat Platform Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A special ordered rare longer sized George Nelson designed platform slat bench with primavera birch wood slated top sitting on three ebonized toned legs . The perfect piece for a hou...
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables

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George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Storage Coffee Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Countryside, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller mid century storage coffee table Coffee table measures: 48 wide x 30 deep x 19 inches high All pieces ...
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Midcentury George Nelson Herman Miller Expandable Dining Table with 1 Leaf
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Rare Mid-Century Modern American George Nelson for Herman Miller expandable round dining table. Beautiful White Laminate table top. Solid Powder coated metal table base. Made circa 1...
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George Nelson tables for sale on 1stDibs.

George Nelson tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson tables, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by George Nelson were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by Brown Saltman, Adrian Pearsall, and Drexel. Prices for George Nelson tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,250 and can go as high as $3,228, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,739.
Questions About George Nelson Tables
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George 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 ExpertApril 5, 2022
    George 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Modern 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, 2022
    George 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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