Pair of Seldom Seen Nelson Herman Miller Headboards
View Similar Items
Pair of Seldom Seen Nelson Herman Miller Headboards
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28.75 in (73.03 cm)Width: 76 in (193.04 cm)Depth: 1.75 in (4.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Phoenix, AZ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU85324907473
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.
- Eames for Herman Miller Time Life Walnut StoolBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Phoenix, AZCharles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller time life stool, circa mid-1960s. This solid walnut example has incredible graining and has been newly detai...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWalnut
- La Fonda Chairs by Eames for Herman Miller with Peter Max FabricBy Herman MillerLocated in Phoenix, AZPair of La Fonda chairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller circa mid 1960s. These seldom seen examples have white powder coated La Fonda bases and have been upholstered in a playful psychedelic dead stock Peter Max fabric...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Orange Glazed Ceramic 1960s Table Lamp PairLocated in Phoenix, AZPair of glazed ceramic and walnut table lamps, circa early 1960s. These examples are a fabulous burnt orange with embossed circular forms. One is slightly darker than the other. Pric...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic, Walnut
$1,800 / set - Donald Locke 1970s Sculpture Pair in Bronze & WoodLocated in Phoenix, AZSet of two small abstract bronze sculptures in deep teal/turquoise tones by artist Donald Locke set on black square wood bases. One of the organic forms is punctuated by shapes featu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Abstract Sculptures
MaterialsBronze
$4,400 / set - Eliel Saarinen for Johnson 1940s Chests of DrawersBy Eliel Saarinen, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Phoenix, AZEliel Saarinen for Johnson Furniture Company chests of drawers circa 1948. These seldom seen examples have sculptural S-shaped legs, formed aluminum handles and beautifully grained b...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
$5,800 / item - Salvador Teran Mosaic Decorative Boxes, set of 3By Salvador TeranLocated in Phoenix, AZDecorative glass mosaic and brass boxes featuring a chicken motif by Mexican designer Salvador Teran. Each box measures 8.25" x 6" x 2". Price is per box.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
$1,400 / item
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Twin Headboards, Primavera Series, 1950sBy George NelsonLocated in Bedford Hills, NYPart of the Herman Miller Collection, early 1950s, these twin headboards by George Nelson are in the sought after Primavera wood. Wear appropriate with age and use, frames not availa...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood
- 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
- George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Walnut and Leather Twin HeadboardsBy George NelsonLocated in Hopewell, NJIconic George Nelson for Herman Miller twin walnut headboards with full grain beige leather inset panels with tufting. The paneled doors lower to reveal shelf storage perfect for bo...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$3,520 Sale Price20% Off - George Nelson for Herman Miller Double / Full Sized Fabric and Teak HeadboardBy George NelsonLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century double / full-sized bed headboard with a teak wood frame and two upholstered beige panels, resting on square wooden legs.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWood, Fabric, Upholstery, Teak
- 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Twin Headboard 2x AvailableBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single (two are available, though sold separately) Model 4695 George Nelson for Herman Miller twin headboard. The piece is forme...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- Walnut Headboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1952Located in Kensington, MDWalnut Headboard by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1952 Additional information: Material: Walnut Featured at Kensington: Gorgeous, classic headboard by George Nelson for Her...Category
Mid-20th Century 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.