Irving Harper and George Nelson for Howard Miller Andirons
View Similar Items
Irving Harper and George Nelson for Howard Miller Andirons
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 3 in (7.62 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Iron,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent original vintage condition with spots of light rust.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU143225053223
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.
- Irving Harper Fire Starter by George Nelson Associates for Howard MillerBy Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving HarperLocated in Los Angeles, CADesigned by Irving Harper under George Nelson Associates for Howard Miller c. 1950s, USA. The footed cast iron pot features a coiled-handle and white firing stone that shows minimal ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Cape Cod Firelighter Irving Harper George Nelson Fire Starter Cast Iron Tool McMBy Howard Miller, George Nelson, Irving HarperLocated in Hyattsville, MDPresented to you in original patina, a cast iron pot, and coil-handled shaft with firing stone. A famous Industrial Design midcentury icon; the Cape Cod firelighter, Model H611, desi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Pair of Brass George Washington AndironsLocated in Nantucket, MAVintage pair of brass George Washington Andirons, likely mid 20th century, cast brass shallow full length figure of George Washington standi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Federal Andirons
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of George Washington Cast Iron AndironsLocated in Rio Vista, CAPatriotic pair of cast iron andirons featuring George Washington posed in military attire. Washington is depicted standing with his hat in hand mounted on a pedestal having swag deco...Category
Antique 19th Century American American Empire Fireplaces and Mantels
MaterialsIron
$2,800 / set - Fireplace Grate for Andirons, FiredogsLocated in Amerongen, NLMade of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
MaterialsSteel
$207 / item - Fireplace Grate for Andirons, FiredogsLocated in Amerongen, NLMade of 1.4 cm (0.55") thick steel bars. All sizes of the fire grate of fireplace rack are outside sizes. Distance between the beams is 26.5 cm (10.44...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Modern Andirons
MaterialsWrought Iron
$213 / item
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.