With its clean lines, sculptural shape and use of organic materials, George Nelson’s Platform bench reflected the American designer’s background in architecture and embodied modernist design. The bench, critical to the Basic Cabinet series he created for Michigan manufacturer Herman Miller — his first collection for the maker — demonstrates Nelson’s enthusiasm for honest, pared-down design.
Nelson (1908–86) grew up in Connecticut and studied architecture at Yale University. While on a post-grad fellowship in Rome, he interviewed numerous pioneering modernist designers, such as Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and more for profiles that were published in American architecture journal Pencil Points. Nelson subsequently lectured at Yale and secured prominent architectural commissions, but his editor roles at Architectural Forum and Fortune magazine proved pivotal to his career. After Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree caught wind of Nelson’s Storagewall — a modular storage concept codeveloped with architect Henry Wright that was featured in Life and in the pair’s book, Tomorrow’s House — he invited him to design modern furniture for the company.
In 1946, Herman Miller debuted Nelson’s spare and versatile slatted-wood Platform bench. Initially comprising a birch top and ebonized wood legs, the bench’s metal base was integrated as an alternative in 1954. Nelson created his Platform bench for his office at Fortune before it found a home at Herman Miller, where it was marketed as seating, a low table or, per an Irving Harper–designed ad, a “plant rest.” It was discontinued in 1967, but the company reintroduced it in 1994. Today, the Nelson Platform bench is available from Herman Miller as well as Vitra (“Nelson bench”) in various sizes and finishes.
Classic George Nelson / Herman Miller Slat Bench Model #4690 -.1960's
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic George Nelson / Herman Miller Slat Platform Bench Model #4690 -.1960's.. Modern Icon..Retains original finish.. beautiful warm patina.. really nice original condition..
Wood, Birch
George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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
George Nelson Rare Protype Bench / Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early and rare Nelson coffee table / bench with white rectangle Laminate top having black legs typical of the Nelson slat bench coffee table. This table was not produced in large n...
Wood
Slat platform bench by George Nelson for Heman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Heman Miller. The finger-jointed solid wood lattice surface rests on angular, ebonized legs, creating a light, architectural form. M...
Metal
Extra Long George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller, early 1950's
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
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 for case goods, its countless imitations over the years are a testament to its functionality and popularity. Herman Miller produced them in a range of sizes to meet a variety of needs. This exceptional vintage example is model 4693. At 102” in length, it’s the largest size slat bench Herman Miller...
Wood, Maple
Extra Long George Nelson Platform Bench by Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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 for case goods, its countless imitations over the years are a testament to its functionality and popularity. Herman Miller produced them in a range of sizes to meet a variety of needs. This exceptional vintage example is model 4693. At 102” in length, it’s the largest size slat bench Herman Miller...
Maple
Early Black George Nelson / Herman Miller Platform Bench. rounded legs
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
A classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Original ebonized finish with amazing warm patina. Age appropriate wear. throughout.Structurally sound....
Wood
George Nelson Stool by Herman Miller, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s in all original condition with the rare brown base George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer and architect who...
Metal
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
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 14 in W 102.38 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Miami, FL
Original George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller. Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...
Wood, Birch
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.25 in W 72.25 in D 18.625 in
Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee...
Maple, Lacquer
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 Slatted Bench Model #4690
By George Nelson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nelson Birch slatted Bench An early example C.1950 Original Finish
Birch
Writing Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.
Steel
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
George Nelson 72” Bench Herman Miller Mid Century Modern
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern bench, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, American, circa 2000s. Signed underneath. This bench retails for $2,365.
Wood, Maple
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
Classic Modernist Slat Bench / Table after George Nelson
By George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Slat Bench / Table after George Nelson , A bit more unusual than most with the leg mount separators,, Beautiful warm tones of woods. Quality construction..Great des...
Wood, Walnut
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
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Slat Bench
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern natural maple platform slat bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This platform bench with finger-jointed wood base - remains as relevant today as it was in 19...
Wood
George Nelson Platform Bench for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Platform Bench from Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in 1946, this was a part of Nelson’s first collection for Herm...
Maple
George Nelson Platform Slat Bench for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Timeless George Nelson Platform Slat Bench, a celebrated icon of mid-century modern design. Clean lines, natural wood slats, and sleek black legs. Usable as a bench, low table, or di...
Wood
George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful midcentury George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench. This original vintage bench is 48" long. Slatted coffee table...
Lacquer
Slatted Bench George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, marked underneath.
Birch
Sold
H 14 in W 48 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Nelson Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller (1950s)
By George Nelson
Located in Centreville, VA
For Herman Miller's influential design director George Nelson, utility was as important as beauty. Originally designed for his own office, where Nelson hoped the slatted top would di...
Maple
Sold
H 13.88 in W 47.75 in D 18.13 in
Mid Century Wood Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic mid-century modern Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller was produced circa 2020. This mid century modern classic was first designed by George Nelson in the 1...
Wood, Maple
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Long Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Tulsa, OK
**Please Read Entire Description** Please view all listing pictures on a laptop if possible. Some cell phones don’t display all listing pictures and some could be pictures relati...
Oak
George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nelson, Platform Bench, for Herman Miller, late 1940s Black painted birch frame, the slatted top on three curved supports, 235cm wide, 47cm deep, 36cm high This is an origin...
Birch, Paint
George Nelson Slat Bench Coffee Table for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A platform slat bench or coffee table with a premavera toned wood top and satin black legs. A classic and well crafted piece by iconic designer George Nelson and manufactured by the ...
Wood
Sold
H 13.95 in W 68.19 in D 18.44 in
Iconic George Nelson #4691 Vintage Slat Bench for Herman Miller Uncommon 68"
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in St. Louis, MO
A true Mid-Century Modern classic, this timeless c. 1960s model #4691 slat bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller has that sought after warm patina to the maple slats on e...
Maple
Sold
H 14.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
Maple Top Platform Bench or Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
An icon of mid-century modernism, the Nelson Platform Bench with ebonized wood base offers utility and beauty. It can serve as a seat or a table, with units able to be ganged togethe...
Wood, Maple, Paint
