Original Swag Leg Pedestal Table by George Nelson
View Similar Items
Original Swag Leg Pedestal Table by George Nelson
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Diameter: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Francisco, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: A06631stDibs: LU908633830062
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.
- George Nelson Rare High Back ChairBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in San Francisco, CAGeorge Nelson rare high back chair A high back lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Model #5469, this lounge chair is one of t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome, Steel
- Side Table by Josh DuthieBy Josh DuthieLocated in San Francisco, CAA unique side table of bay laurel with natural lines and a live edge side.Category
2010s American Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood
- Mahogany Side Table by Frits HenningsenBy Frits HenningsenLocated in San Francisco, CACircular table with rimmed and raised panel made of solid mahogany, with center column and four-star base.Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Side Tables by Hans AndersenLocated in San Francisco, CAA pair of stacking side tables in walnut by Hans Anderson with inset white laminate top and shaped legs. Retains the original makers label.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
$1,500 / set - Slit Side Table by Iskos-Berlin for HAYBy Iskos-Berlin, HAYLocated in San Francisco, CAA white powder coated steel round slit table by AIsko-Berlin for HAY. This origami-inspired design is named after the slit that emerges when the plate frame...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Side Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
Price Upon Request - Warren Platner - Rare Copper TablesBy Warren PlatnerLocated in San Francisco, CAAn extremely rare copper cocktail and side table by Warren Platner. Features a round glass top and circular base of concave lengths of copper. Dimensio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsCopper
Price Upon Request
- Pair of Early Foil Label Original George Nelson Herman Miller Swag Leg TablesBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILBeautiful example of this iconic design in nice vintage condition. A nice early Herman Miller Foil Strip label attached to underside. Acquired a 2nd identical table with the same Foi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side TableBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side Table Classic vintage mid century modern side table wit...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- 1950s George Nelson Swag Leg DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYOriginal Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$3,100 Sale Price50% Off - George Nelson Pedestal Coffee Table by VitraBy George Nelson, VitraLocated in Madrid, ESCoffee or side table, originally designed by George Nelson in 1954, with four-branched base in black lacquered aluminum. Tabletop in black laminate with a visible edge in birch venee...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Special Pedestal Occasional Coffee Table No. 5452, George Nelson, Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEthe versatile classic, designed by george nelson in 1954, was initially produced in 2 sizes with black or white legs and table plates made from chipboard, the edge of the table cover...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Walnut veneer Pedestal Occ. Coffee Table No 5452, George Nelson, Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEthe versatile classic, designed by george nelson in 1954, was initially produced in 2 sizes with black or white legs and table plates made from chipboard, the edge of the table cover...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAluminum
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.