Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom King-Size Bed Headboard by George Nelson
View Similar Items
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom King-Size Bed Headboard by George Nelson
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 48 in (121.92 cm)Width: 162 in (411.48 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1949
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Headboard is in excellent, fully-restored condition with a few minor veneer patches.
- Seller Location:Lafayette, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2680313234321
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. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
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 1stDibs, 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 chairs, sofas, tables and other 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. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George NelsonBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Lafayette, INThis remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The desk was made specifically for a client in the Promontory Apartment Building in Chicago designed by Nelson's associate, and world-renowned architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The entire apartment was outfitted in pieces from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series for Herman Miller that sat, untouched for nearly 70 years in their original setting! In addition to two aluminium sconces, this piece also features hidden, fluorescent lighting mounted in the upper canopy as a clever solution to Mies van der Rohe's lack of ceiling fixtures. This is a gorgeous, grandiose, and extremely rare piece of design history that will instantly outfit an entire office in striking style! Features: Desk: - Book-matched walnut veneer - Built-in Bar - Built in coat closet/wardrobe - Dual aluminum sconces - Hidden, indirect fluorescent lighting - Silver-plated Herman Miller hardware - Dual "floating" book shelves - Tapered, cantilevered peninsula desk...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
$14,000 Sale Price60% Off - Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Roll Top Action Office Desk by George NelsonBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Lafayette, INThis is a wonderful early example of the Action Office Roll Top desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Desk features: Walnut roll top (4) action drawers Ebonized black side pane...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
$5,199 Sale Price20% Off - 1957 Sculpted Pine Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Dresser Suit by Franklin ShockeyBy Franklin Shockey CompanyLocated in Lafayette, INWonderful "Sculpted Pine" bedroom suit by Franklin Shockey. Set features: Year of manufacture: 1957 Highboy Dresser- 35" L x 43" T x 19" D Lowboy Dresser- 57.5" L x 31" T x 19" D Mirror- 43" L x 36" T Nightstand- 21.5" L x 25" T x 16" D Set features solid pine construction and fantastic sculpted design. Lowboy dresser has detachable mirror that can be wall-hanged if desired. A unique dresser...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsPine
$2,250 Sale Price / set54% Off - Huge Spectacular 1950s Custom-Made Mid-Century Modern Aluminum ChandelierLocated in Lafayette, INDo you have a massive, poorly lit Mid-Century Modern mansion that's missing a certain je ne sais quoi? Well look no further than this sensational, custom-made 1950s chandelier! Chand...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsAluminum
$3,499 Sale Price / item36% Off - Atomic Mid Century Modern Biomorphic Kidney Shaped Glass & Oak Coffee TableBy Gilbert Rohde, Herman MillerLocated in Lafayette, INFantastic biomorphic/kidney shaped coffee table attributed to Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller. Table features: - Two-tiered top - Tapered oak legs with fluting - Turned oak riser...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ranch Oak Desk and Matching Chair by BrandtBy A. Brandt Ranch Oak FurnitureLocated in Lafayette, INGreat little desk in the "Ranch Oak" style and manufactured by Brandt Furniture Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. Desk features a great size paired with that wonderful, faux-weathered wester...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsOak
$695 Sale Price44% Off
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera HeadboardBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Forney, TXA rare American Mid-Century Modern headboard for a double (full) size bed with storage and adjustable backrests by important Modernist architect and designer George Nelson (American, 1908-1986) for Herman Miller, circa 1950, model 4647 from the Primavera Collection, walnut, tufted vinyl, ebonized feet. Dimensions: (approx) 40" High, 56.25" Wide, 12" Deep A superb example, in excellent original vintage condition, having a pair tufted vinyl doors that slide down to reveal individual storage compartments. Walnut veneer in excellent condition with one small (.75") stable bubble beneath the surface at top (no splitting or discoloration present). Bed retains both brackets and anchor pins...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsUpholstery, PVC, Wood, Walnut
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Headboards & Nightstands by George NelsonBy George NelsonLocated in Kensington, MDPair of Mid-Century Modern Headboards & Nightstands by George Nelson for Herman Miller Additional information: Material: Wool Classic George Nelson Styling on This Pair of Hairb...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWool
Price Upon Request - Vintage Modern King-Size Brass Bed HeadboardLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique brass headboard features stylish Mid-Century Modern design and measures 78 inches wide. Unique patina adds to the vintage appeal of the piece, making it a great addition ...Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsBrass
$770 Sale Price30% Off - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Sculpted King Size Bed / HeadboardLocated in Wilmington, DEMid-Century Danish Modern walnut full size headboard. Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut sculpted king size bed/headboard. Looks to be walnut, featuring signature scul...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Large Sculptural Light Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard BedBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Rockaway, NJVery nice Mid-Century Modern sculpted solid walnut borders king size headboard. Super clean original condition comes with frame mounting hardware.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern King Size Walnut HeadboardLocated in Charleston, SCHere we have a richly grained walnut king size headboard with 4 inverted slats. A fabulous modern shape and very much in the style of Kent Coffey.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
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.