Early Long Slat Bench by George Nelson
View Similar Items
Early Long Slat Bench by George Nelson
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 14.25 in (36.2 cm)Width: 102.25 in (259.72 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1948
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92206065433
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.
- Early Finn Juhl Bench for Bovirke, Denmark, circa 1953By Bovirke, Finn JuhlLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEarly Finn Juhl Bench for Bovirke, Denmark, circa 1953. New Expertly Upholstered Cushion in Kravet Couture Green Wool Fabric. Makers Mark to the Bott...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- Gerald McCabe Shedua & Oak Trestle Bench, California, c.1975By Gerald McCabe, Orange Crate ModernLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGerald McCabe Shedua & Oak Trestle Bench for Orange Crate Modern. Santa Monica, California, c.1975 Beautiful wood grain throughout. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood, Oak
- Erwine & Estelle Laverne Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955By Laverne Originals, Erwine & Estelle LaverneLocated in Costa Mesa, CAErwine & Estelle Laverne Patinated Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955. Beautiful Original Patina.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Lou Hodges Handcrafted Oak Coffee Table for California Design Group, 1980By Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CALou Hodges handcrafted solid oak coffee Table for California Design Group, 1980. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsOak
- Richard Thompson Walnut Coffee Table for Glenn of California, c.1965By Glenn of California, Richard Thompson, Milo BaughmanLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Thompson Walnut Coffee Table for Glenn of California, c.1965. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Generation 80 Oak & Walnut Coffee Table, circa 1980By Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeneration 80 Oak & Walnut coffee table, circa 1980. This table has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- Midcentury George Nelson Slatted Bench for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in New York, NYAn American Midcentury-Modern classic. This slatted bench was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. It comprised of maple with ebonized legs. A design of balance, symmetry, an...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple
- George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Miami, FLOriginal George Nelson early long slat bench in ebonized Birch Wood designed in the 1950s and manufactured by Herman Miller. Great for a Hallway Bench where Kids can change Shoes an...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood, Birch
- Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple BlondeBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple, Lacquer
$2,600 Sale Price20% Off - Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde / BlackBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Buffalo, NYBeautiful mid century George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench with Amazing Patina. This bench is 72.25" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWood, Birch
- Six Foot George Nelson Classic Slat Bench 1950's OriginalBy George NelsonLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA classic, original 1950's vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller slat bench. Natural finish with warm patina and ebonized legs. This is a hard to find original, retaining its foil...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple
- Mid Century Slatted Wood Bench Coffee Table George Nelson StyleBy George NelsonLocated in Baltimore, MDAmazing Mid-Century Modern George Nelson style slat bench coffee table. Classic slat wood coffee table bench. This table is exceptionally well made. Features clean lines and legs that taper down as they reach the floor. An Iconic retro slatted bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
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.