George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”
The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as simple as the name suggests: a curved slice of coconut. In addition to the tropical fruit, the sleek chair nods to architect Eero Saarinen’s swerving Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, built in 1953.
Minimal in appearance, the Coconut lounge chair comprises only a few materials: a molded plastic shell, a single leather cushion and a trio of chrome legs. The chair was created in 1955 for Herman Miller, where Nelson served as director of design until 1972. In his studio, Nelson and his designers produced a wealth of hits, including benches, pendant lights and more for Herman Miller and other clients. In his director role, Nelson also supervised a team of now-legendary mid-century modern designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others.
Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree hired Nelson in 1945 after having read about a modular storage system that he conceived with architect Henry Wright — it was featured in a joint editorial project from Life and Architectural Forum. Nelson continued to operate his design studio while at Herman Miller, and today, several of the pieces designed at George Nelson Associates, Inc. are in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, including the Coconut lounge chair.
Pair Early Coconut Chairs & Ottoman by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Restored
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Fully and expertly restored pair of Coconut Chairs and single Ottoman designed by the George Nelson office in 1956 for Herman Miller. These are the never reproduced second generatio...
Steel, Chrome, Wrought Iron
Iconic George Nelson ‘Coconut’ Lounge Chair
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nelson, ‘Coconut’ lounge chair, fiberglass, leather upholstery, steel, United States, design 1955, later production The ‘Coconut’ lounge chair is one of George Nelson’s iconi...
Steel
$4,196Sale Price / set|30% Off
George Nelson For Herman Miller First Generation Coconut Chair and Ottoman
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Unlike the later editions, the first generation has a...
Metal
George Nelson for Herman Miller early original Coconut Chair and ottoman
By George Nelson
Located in Walnut Creek, CA
This is a nice clean original George Nelson for Herman Miller Coconut Chair and ottoman. It came out of a well preserved architect’s estat...
Chrome
$10,750 / set
George Nelson Coconut Chair and Ottoman
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Leather chair and ottoman with metal base.
Leather
George Nelson Coconut Chair for Herman Miller, Early 1st Generation Production
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Troy, MI
Rare 1st edition Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson and Associates Herman Miller circa 1955-1956 Earliest production example characterized by a triangular steel shell an...
Metal, Chrome
Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, 1950s
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Antwerp, BE
Introducing the Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra, an iconic piece of modern design that combines comfort, elegance, an...
Chrome
Iconic Black Leather and Fiberglass Lounge Chair ‘Coconut’ by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Dublin 8, IE
An enduring icon of mid-century modern design, the Coconut Chair was designed by George Nelson in 1955 as a bold departure from traditional lounge seating. Rather than designing a ch...
Chrome
$1,200Sale Price|33% Off
H 28 in W 18.5 in D 18 in
Eames Herman Miller DKR Chair on Early Production Low X-Base
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Ferndale, MI
Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller DKR lounge chair. The chair is earlier production evidenced by the solid steel "X" base. Original burlap back...
Steel
George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
Introduced in 1946, the slat platform bench was one of Nelson's first designs for Herman Miller after becoming their design director. Intended to serve as a table, a seat, or a base ...
Maple
$1,721Sale Price|25% Off
H 31 in W 27.25 in D 32 in
Vintage MCM George Nelson 5476 Lounge Chair for Herman Miller Fuchsia Fabric
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage MCM (a.k.a.) Mid-Century Modern 5476 lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Comprised of a walnut frame and fuchsia...
Fabric, Walnut
$2,582
H 33.47 in W 41.34 in D 29.14 in
Iconic Black Leather and Fiberglass Lounge Chair ‘Coconut’ by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Dublin 8, IE
An enduring icon of mid-century modern design, the Coconut Chair was designed by George Nelson in 1955 as a bold departure from traditional lounge seating. Rather than designing a ch...
Chrome
MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern leather perch stool or chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Versatile chair with adjustable hand-stitched leather seat hav...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$3,463
H 33.47 in W 40.95 in D 34.65 in
Mid-Century Modern Brown Leather Coconut Chair by George Nelson for Vitra
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Obviously he took his inspiration from a coconut that...
Steel
Dining Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early dining chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller, having tubular zinc-plated frames with floating upholstered seats and backs.
Steel
$5,595 / set
H 27 in W 29.25 in D 27.5 in
Pair Mid Century Modern Restored Lounge Chairs George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular and rare early pair of steel framed lounge chairs, #5080 by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Totally restored to their original glory. New cotton velvet upholstery with ...
Steel
$5,517
H 32.68 in W 40.56 in D 32.68 in
Early Herman Miller Coconut Chair Designed by George Nelson in 1956
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Early Herman Miller Coconut lounge chair. Manufactured ca. in 1960. Upholstery in brown fabric, coated shell from bent steel, chromed plated ste...
Steel
Restored Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic black leather and Brazilian rosewood Eames lounge chair and ottoman. Signed authentic original Herman Miller production. Wood refinished. Leather cleaned and conditioned. Cir...
Aluminum
Nelson Slat Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. USA. Black painted base with natural wood top.
Wood
George Nelson Coconut Chair for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in San Antonio, TX
Newer model of the George Nelson for Herman Miller Coconut lounge chair with a light green checkered pattern, Maharam fabric by Alexander Girard. This chair is newer made around 2022...
Metal
Sold
H 16 in W 23.5 in D 18.5 in
1960s George Nelson "COCONUT" Ottoman / Foot Stool / Herman Miller, Classic
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Mid Century Modern Ottoman / Foot Stool designed by George Nelson for the Coconut Chair, Nice early example. Great color , patina. Dimensions: 16 high x 23 1/2 wide x 18 1/2...
Chrome
Sold
H 33.47 in W 41.34 in D 32.29 in
George Nelson, Vintage Coconut Chair, 1st issue, Herman Miller 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nelson Early ‘Coconut’ Lounge Chair enamelled folded steel shell and chromed steel legs recently upholstered in Maharam Checker upholstery 85cm high, 105cm wide, 82cm deep De...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 33.47 in W 40.95 in D 34.65 in
"Coconut" Chair in White Leather by George Nelson for H. Miller by Vitra, 1990
By Vitra, George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elevate your space with this iconic Vintage Mid-Century Modern "Coconut" Lounge Chair designed by the legendary George Nelson for Herman Miller and meticulously manufactured by Vitra...
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 33.5 in W 41 in D 35 in
Original George Nelson Coconut Chair, Vitra, Black Leather, White Shell, Chrome
By George Nelson
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Original George Nelson Coconut Chair, Vitra, Black Leather, White Shell, Chrome Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured by Vitra. Black leather...
Steel
George Nelson, 1st Edition “Coconut” Chair in Mustard Wool, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Coronado, CA
An iconic and inviting 1st-edition "Coconut" chair designed by George Nelson circa 1950s. This stunning, low-slung lounge chair got it's inspiration from a 1/8 piece of a coconut shell (hence the name). Needless to say, this design immediately catches your eye with it's sculptural triangular form, consisting of a fiberglass shell resting on an architectural brushed-steel tripod base. Delightful, age consistent patina to the fiberglass and steel, as can be seen in the photos. The upholstery has been upgraded in a period-correct, nubby, mustard wool fabric by Maharam textiles.
Metal
Sold
H 33.47 in W 40.95 in D 30.71 in
Original George Nelson Coconut Chair, Vitra, Tan Leather, White Shell, Chrome
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured by Vitra. new upholstered with vintage cognac aniline leather, white shell and chrome legs.
Stainless Steel
George Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair in Maharam Mode Goldenrod Fabrics
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a late 2010s production of the Coconut Chair, Designed by George Nelson's design studio. Introduced in 1956, the Coconut Lounge Chair is one artifact of the burst of crea...
Fabric
Sold
H 33.47 in W 40.95 in D 33.47 in
George Nelson Black Coconut Lounge Chair Vitra United States, 1955
By Vitra, George Nelson
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Iconic model Coconut lounge chair designed by George Nelson and manufactured by Vitra, United States 1955. This beautiful shaped chair consists of a triangular fiberglass shell which...
Steel
George Nelson Mid Century Coconut Chair
By George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson mid century coconut chair The chair measures: 41 wide x 32 deep x 32 high, with a seat height of 14 inches and arm height of...
Chrome
Vitra Coconut Chair by George Nelson in Black Leather, 2003
By George Nelson, Vitra
Located in Basildon, London
Originally designed by George Nelson in 1955, the Coconut chair has become a design Classic. Constructed with a white glass fibre reinforced plastic shell, the chair is upholstere...
Leather
Sold
H 41 in W 33 in D 333 in
Early George Nelson by Herman Miller Green Leather Classic Coconut Lounge Chairs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration: Early George Nelson for Herman Miller green leather original coconut lounge chairs. Featuring new Leather upholstery in ric...
Metal, Chrome
