Original models of the Marshmallow sofa have fetched tens of thousands of dollars at auction courtesy of the famously limited inaugural production. A fusion of function and Pop Art created by former George Nelson employee and young designer Irving Harper (1916–2015), the sofa was conceived after a salesman from a Long Island, New York–based plastics manufacturer visited George Nelson Associates in Manhattan with his company’s new injection-molded vinyl pads. The pads were durable and cost-effective, argued the salesman, because they were “self-skinning” and wouldn’t need upholstering. To Harper, the cushions presented a design challenge — one he gamely accepted. He worked up a model over a weekend’s time.
The Marshmallow sofa’s scattered disks, which measured 10 inches in diameter, looked as if they were suspended in midair. When the sofa debuted in 1956, the Herman Miller catalogue listed the design as the “Marshmallow Love Seat #5670” and credited it to Nelson rather than Harper, stating, “Despite its astonishing appearance, this piece is very comfortable.”
Unfortunately, with 18 cushions per brushed tubular steel frame, the venture was far more expensive than Nelson and Harper realized, and Herman Miller manufactured only a couple hundred models in the initial batch. The company stopped producing the sofa in 1961 but reissued the piece in the 1980s. Now it’s available in leather and a variety of brightly colored fabrics. Harper, who redesigned the Herman Miller logo in 1946, conceived of other Pop Art–style furnishings while working for George Nelson, such as the Ball clock and Sunburst clock.
Limited Edition Multicolor George Nelson For Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson, Irving Harper
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
George Nelson Office – Limited Edition Marshmallow Sofa Designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson office, this multicolored Marshmallow Sofa is a limited edition piece manufact...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
George Nelson for Herman Miller Marshmallow Sofa in White Leather
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful design by George Nelson for Herman Miller this marshmallow sofa is a sculptural icon. The sofa is done in white leather and bears the Herman Miller tag on the back. The s...
Steel
George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nelson Marshmallow sofa, model 5670 Manufactured by Herman Miller A great example of an iconic form.
Chrome, Stainless Steel, Steel
Early Original George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa. Amazing Condition. Signed
By George Nelson, Irving Harper, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Orignal production iconic Marshmallow Sofa designed by Irving Harper for the George Nelson Office therefore attributed to George Nelson. Manufactured by Herman Miller and signed who...
Aluminum, Steel
$18,308
H 32.49 in W 83.08 in D 44.49 in
FINE GEORGE SMITH HOWARD SiGNATURE SCROLL ARM SOFA MULBERRY FLYING DUCKS VELVET
By George Smith, Mulberry
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this brand new, George Smith Signature Scroll Arm large sofa with feather filled back and base cushions upho...
Upholstery, Beech, Oak
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
$18,461
H 35.44 in W 72.84 in D 41.34 in
Vintage George Smith Kilim Upholstered Three Seat Couch or Sofa Feather Cushions
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original George Smith three seat sofa with the period Kilim upholstery and feather filled cushions A stunning sofa which is one of G...
Upholstery
George Nelson for Herman Miller Sling Sofa, Model 6832 (1963)
By George Nelson
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
A striking example of mid-century modern design, this Model 6832 Sling Sofa was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1963. Featuring black leather cushions suspended withi...
Chrome
Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...
Maple
George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's Original Signed!
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Original ebonised finish with warm patina. This is a hard to find original bench, retaining its foil la...
Maple
Restored George Nelson Sofa
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
Sofa designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly upholstered in a ticking striped fabric with chrome legs. Measures: 81". Arm height 21"
Fabric
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
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
$7,518Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.49 in W 66.93 in D 22.05 in
18th Century French Mahogany Sofa, George Jacob Manner, Circa 1796-1825
By Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Firenze, IT
This magnificent French sofa, crafted in the late 18th to early 19th century (circa 1796-1825), evokes the esteemed style of Jacob-Desmalter, the renowned chairmaker and cabinetmaker...
Velvet, Upholstery, Wood
MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled dark espresso leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Exc...
Leather, Hardwood
George Nelson for Herman Miller "Marshmallow" Sofa
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller "Marshmallow" Sofa, originally designed 1956, this example 2012, eighteen black leather upholstered cushions on a steel and black ename...
Enamel, Steel
Sold
H 33.86 in W 53.15 in D 29.14 in
George Nelson Brown Orange and Steel Marshmallow Sofa, 1980s, Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Valladolid, ES
Stunning and funny Marshmallow sofa by George Nelson and made by Norman Miller. In steel structure and brown and orange color leatherette cushions. In ...
Steel
Sold
H 31.5 in W 51.75 in L 31.5 in
Marshmallow Sofa / Loveseat in Red leather by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Early reissue of the iconic marshmallow sofa. Original red leather in very good to excellent condition. Designed by Irving Harper for the Nelson office,
Steel
