A master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture movement. Along with Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof and Wendell Castle, Nakashima was an artisan who disdained industrial methods and materials in favor of a personal, craft-based approach to the design of chairs, coffee tables and other pieces. What sets Nakashima apart is the poetic style of his work, his reverence for wood and the belief that his furniture could evince — as he put it in the title of his 1981 memoir — The Soul of a Tree.
Born in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese immigrants, Nakashima traveled widely after college, working and studying in Paris, Japan and India, and at every stop he absorbed both modernist and traditional design influences.
The turning point in Nakashima’s career development came in the United States in 1942, when he was placed in an internment camp for Asian-Americans in Idaho. There, Nakashima met a master woodcarver who tutored him in Japanese crafting techniques. A former employer won Nakashima’s release and brought him to bucolic New Hope, Pennsylvania, where Nakashima set up a studio and worked for the rest of his life. (Master craftsperson Mira Nakashima keeps her father’s legacy alive at the George Nakashima Studio in New Hope today. She has been the artistic director of George Nakashima Woodworkers since her father's death, in 1990.)
Nakashima’s singular aesthetic is best captured in his custom-made tables and benches — pieces that show off the grain, burls and whorls in a plank of wood. He left the “free edge,” or natural contour, of the slab un-planed, and reinforced fissures in the wood with “butterfly” joints.
Almost all Nakashima seating pieces have smooth, milled edges. Nakashima also contracted with large-scale manufacturers to produce carefully supervised editions of his designs. Knoll has offered his Straight chair — a modern take on the spindle-backed Windsor chair — since 1946; the now-defunct firm Widdicomb-Mueller, the result of a merger between Widdicomb and Mueller Furniture, issued the Shaker-inspired Origins collection in the 1950s.
Nelson Rockefeller in 1973 gave Nakashima his single largest commission: a 200-piece suite for his suburban New York estate. Today, Nakashima furniture is collected by both the staid and the fashionable: his work sits in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as in the homes of Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Diane von Furstenberg and the late Steve Jobs.
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H 9.06 in W 4.06 in D 0.12 in
ITALIAN Line transatlantic first class cruise price list brochure
Located in Milan, IT
Brochure with price list of first class cruise liners of the shipping company ITALY 624 Fifth Avenue New York, published October 10, 1938. Bon état. Measures 10.3 x 23 cm -4.1 x 9 i...
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H 9.26 in W 3.94 in D 0.12 in
Price list tourist class summer cruises ITALIAN Line Company 1936
Located in Milan, IT
Tourist class price list of summer cruises aboard the Transatlantic REX, Conte di Savoia, Roma and Vulcania published March 1, 1936 on behalf of the shipping company ITALIAN Line Cos...
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H 8.08 in W 9.45 in D 0.12 in
Schedule and price list cruises first class company ITALIAN Line 1932
Located in Milan, IT
Travel schedule of first class cruises with price list of Italian Line ships to and from Europe dated October 18, 1934. The ocean liners are: REX, Count of Savoy and Vulcania. Bon é...
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H 12.25 in W 9.75 in D 0.75 in
Georges Braque, Pioneer of Modernism, 1st Ed Exhibition Catalog
Located in valatie, NY
Georges Braque - Pioneer of Modernism by Dieter Buchhart, Isabelle Monod-Fontaine and Richard Shiff. Published by Acquavella Galleries, New York, 2011. ...
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H 8.94 in W 4.02 in D 0.12 in
Price list first class No. 1 June 1932 for travel in Italy ITALIAN Line
Located in Milan, IT
First Class Price List No. 1 June 1932 for travel in Italy Mediterranean Sea and Adriatic ports of the Italian Line company of REX - Saturnia - Vulcania - Conte di Savoia. Printed in...
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H 12 in W 10 in D 0.2 in
Basquiat tokyo catalog
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1997 Jean-Michel Basquiat Enrico Navarra catalog Japan: Vintage 1997 Basquiat exhibition catalog, published on the occasion of galerie Enrico Navarra's 1997 Tokyo exhibition. Well e...
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W 17 in D 3 in
Antique English Woodworker's Plane Block
Located in Queens, NY
2 Antique English woodworkers hand block plane. (PRICED EACH)
H 12.25 in W 9.5 in D 1 in
Knoll International Catalogs
By Knoll
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Introducing a captivating collection of vintage Knoll catalogs, a must-have for design enthusiasts and collectors alike. This carefully curated assortment showcases the iconic furniture designs and timeless style that have made Knoll a revered name in the industry. Each catalog in this collection offers a glimpse into the rich history of Knoll, featuring a range of beautifully photographed interiors, furniture arrangements, and detailed product descriptions. Immerse yourself in the mid-century modern aesthetic, as these catalogs transport you to an era of sleek lines, organic forms, and innovative design concepts. Discover the vision of legendary designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen, and Harry Bertoia, whose iconic creations are showcased within these pages. Explore the iconic Barcelona Chair, the elegant Tulip Table, or the sculptural Diamond Chair, among many other timeless masterpieces that have defined Knoll's legacy. As you peruse these vintage catalogs, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail that Knoll is renowned for. The catalogs offer insights into the design philosophies behind each piece, providing a fascinating glimpse into the creative process and the ideas that shaped these iconic designs. This collection is not only a valuable resource for design professionals and enthusiasts but also a visual delight for anyone passionate about mid-century modern aesthetics. The catalogs serve as a source of inspiration for interior designers, architects, and collectors seeking to create spaces that exude elegance, sophistication, and enduring style. Each catalog has been meticulously preserved, showcasing the original graphics, typography, and design elements that capture the essence of the era. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of vintage design, this collection of vintage Knoll catalogs is a rare treasure that will enrich your understanding and appreciation of design history. Don't miss the opportunity to own this remarkable collection of vintage Knoll catalogs, a testament to the enduring legacy of one of the most influential design companies in the world. Immerse yourself in the golden age of modern design and be inspired by the timeless creations that continue to shape the aesthetic landscape even today. A wonderful collection of twelve Knoll International...
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H 22.75 in W 15 in D 3 in
Collection of Six Vintage Woodworking Files
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Collection of Six vintage woodworking files United States 20th century Cast steel Height on custom display stands: 16.25 - 22.75 in. / 41 - 58 cm.
Steel
H 12.25 in W 10.5 in D 1 in
Georges Braque and the Cubist Still Life 1928-1945 1st Ed Exhibition Catalog
Located in valatie, NY
Georges Braque and the Cubist Still Life 1928-1945 by Karen K. Butler and Renée Maurer. Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, 2013. This book offers the first detail...
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George Nakashima, Woodworker: New Hope, Pennsylvania (1962 Catalog, Signed)
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
The catalog comprises: First, an introductory paean to craftsmanship and the spirituality of woodworking culminating in Nakashima’s bold signature in ink, dated April 1962. Next, a full-page photo of the Conoid Studio followed by a succession of offerings with photos and descriptions including: Trestle Table, Cross-Legged Table, Round Turned-Leg table, Conoid Table, Turned-Leg Table, Round Clustered-Base Table, Round Pedestal Table, Frenchman’s Cove Square Table, Single Drop-Leaf Table, Boat-Shaped Table, Frenchman’s Cove No.2 Table (fold-out), Round Coffee Table, Conoid Coffee Table, Slab Coffee Table No. 2, Slab Coffee Table, Portsmouth End Table, Square or Rectangular End Table (with and without shelf), Cross-Legged Coffee Table, Conoid Studio End Tables, Conoid Desks, New Chairs, Mira Chairs, Lounge Chair, No Arm, Lounge Chair One-Arm, Grass-Seated Chair, Arm Chair, conoid Chair, New Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Lounge Chair plus Rockers and Arms, Conoid Benches, “Q” Bench, “R” Bench...
Paper
Scarabaeus Ltd (Illustrated Price List for the George Beylerian Emporium)
By George Beylerian, Superstudio, Kartell
Located in New York, NY
Promotional literature for American retailer, curator, author, and impresario George Beylerian’s Scarabaeus, an avant-garde design emporium located on E 60th Street in NYC that opene...
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Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
By Mira Nakashima, George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Mira Nakashima’s tribute to her father, George, whose standing as one of America’s foremost designer/craftsmen is reflected in his blue-chip status in the vintage de...
Paper
Nature Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima
By Mira Nakashima, George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
First edition of Mira Nakashima’s tribute to her father, George, whose standing as one of America’s foremost designer/craftsmen is reflected in his blue-chip status in the vintage de...
Paper
Brueton Catalog 1992
By Brueton
Located in New York, NY
Manufacturer’s ring binder catalog showcasing the 1992 product line for Brueton Furniture, a New York City-based company that produces upscale furniture and accessories for the residential, contract, and hospitality markets. Founded in 1926, Brueton was an early convert to the use of highly crafted stainless steel, still an area of specialty. Along with designs by Stanley Jay Friedman and J. Wade Beam—familiar names in the vintage modern design market—the 1992 catalog includes work by Sergio Orozco, Mark Mascheroni, Mark Goldberg, John Duffy, Mitchell Pickard, Charles Gibilterra, Bert England, Victor Dziekiewicz, Glenn Polinsky, Joseph Gerstman, Bruenu, Richard Thompson, Robert Sonneman, Ed Born, and Ira Grayroff. Stylistically skewed to post-modern, the catalog also features clean-lined international style pieces plus reissues of several classic modern designs by Hans and Wassily Luckhardt...
Plastic, Paper
Artemide Catalog, 1970
By Artemide, Vico Magistretti, Sergio Mazza
Located in New York, NY
1970 Artemide catalog, showcasing progressive lighting, furniture, and accessory designs in plastic, glass, and metal by a roster of design luminaries, almost all Italian, many of them trained architects. Founded in 1959 by Ernesto Gismondi and Sergio Mazza, the company produced such icons of Italian Rational...
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