George Nelson Credenza for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series, Midcentury Modern
View Similar Items
George Nelson Credenza for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series, Midcentury Modern
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Maker),George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 90 in (228.6 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Fully restored by our team of in-house craftspeople and in excellent condition. Gorgeous figured wood grain on the newly refinished surfaces. This cabinet is ready for use.
- Seller Location:Decatur, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6647229614532
George Nelson
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, as well as its competitor, the Howard Miller Clock Company. 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 these pages, 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.
Herman Miller
No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle-class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms. Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- Vintage Midcentury Florence Knoll Credenza - Walnut + Chrome + LeatherBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Decatur, GAMid Century Modern credenza by Florence Knoll for Knoll International, circa 1960s. Walnut case with a walnut tone laminate top, chromed steel legs, black leather pulls and a white o...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Midcentury Danish Modern Side End Table - Svend Age Madsen for Karl LindegaardBy Karl Lindegaard, Svend Åge MadsenLocated in Decatur, GAMid century Danish modern teak side or end table designed by Svend Age Madsen for Karl Lindegaard. Rectangular top with rounded edges with one drawer and a convenient lower shelf. So...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Jens Risom Side Tables - Midcentury Modern - Pair Walnut Formica Floating TopBy Jens Risom, Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Decatur, GAPair of mid century modern side or end tables by Jens Risom for his company, Jens Risom Design. Classic floating silouhette. Frames are a medium tone solid American walnut. Tops are ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsFormica, Walnut
- Midcentury Danish Modern Rosewood Wine Rack by Torsten JohanssonBy Torsten Johansson, AB FormträLocated in Decatur, GASculptor, industrial designer and artist Torsten Johansson designed this beautiful wine rack of molded exotic rosewood and birch for AB Formträ, Sweden circa 1960s.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Barware
MaterialsBirch, Rosewood
- Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + WoolBy Edward Wormley, Gunlocke, Jens Risom, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Decatur, GA"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Upholstery, Walnut
- Jens Risom Midcentury Modern Arm Chairs - Set of 8 - Model C170 - Black WalnutBy Jens Risom, Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Decatur, GASet of eight (8) vintage mid century modern arm chairs by Jens Risom, circa late 1950s. Model C-170 in solid American black walnut with sculpted flared armrests. Stout and sturdy Ame...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson 8000 Series Credenza for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is a beautiful example of the classic Nelson design for Herman Miller's executive office group, the top and sides are Walnut, and the sliding doors are black and white laminate ...Category
Vintage 1960s Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- 1950 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Two Door Cabinet in WalnutBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a two-door cabinet designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller circa 1950. This is a gorgeous original example, which appears remarkably intact. As not...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- George Nelson Basic Series Cabinet on Ebonized Herman Miller BenchBy George NelsonLocated in Hopewell, NJRare 1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller cabinet set upon an1 iconic Herman Miller slat ebonized bench.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, RefinishedBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By George Nelson for Herman Miller USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with original aluminum hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinets for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAFirst year production George Nelson Steel Frame Case series cabinet. Sky blue sides and facade available with either the white steel frame/black linoleum top configuration or the b...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsSteel
- 1954 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series 4936 Credenza / DresserBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a circa 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 4936 5-Drawer Basic Cabinet Series dresser / credenza. This is a delightfully original piece. The condition over...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.
Kule and Forsyth Give Iconic Furniture a Bold Makeover with Stripes
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.