George Nelson Platform Bench
View Similar Items
George Nelson Platform Bench
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 72.25 in (183.52 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Bench has been professionally refinished.
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU898528255112
Nelson Platform Bench
With its clean lines, sculptural shape and use of organic materials, George Nelson’s Platform bench reflected the American designer’s background in architecture and embodied modernist design. The bench, critical to the Basic Cabinet series he created for Michigan manufacturer Herman Miller — his first collection for the maker — demonstrates Nelson’s enthusiasm for honest, pared-down design.
Nelson (1908–86) grew up in Connecticut and studied architecture at Yale University. While on a post-grad fellowship in Rome, he interviewed numerous pioneering modernist designers, such as Walter Gropius, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and more for profiles that were published in American architecture journal Pencil Points. Nelson subsequently lectured at Yale and secured prominent architectural commissions, but his editor roles at Architectural Forum and Fortune magazine proved pivotal to his career. After Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree caught wind of Nelson’s Storagewall — a modular storage concept codeveloped with architect Henry Wright that was featured in Life and in the pair’s book, Tomorrow’s House — he invited him to design modern furniture for the company.
In 1946, Herman Miller debuted Nelson’s spare and versatile slatted-wood Platform bench. Initially comprising a birch top and ebonized wood legs, the bench’s metal base was integrated as an alternative in 1954. Nelson created his Platform bench for his office at Fortune before it found a home at Herman Miller, where it was marketed as seating, a low table or, per an Irving Harper–designed ad, a “plant rest.” It was discontinued in 1967, but the company reintroduced it in 1994. Today, the Nelson Platform bench is available from Herman Miller as well as Vitra (“Nelson bench”) in various sizes and finishes.
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.
- Studio Walnut BenchLocated in Palm Springs, CACustom walnut bench measuring 55" wide, 18.5" deep and 16" high. Great walnut grain.Category
Vintage 1980s Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsWalnut
$1,800 - Florence Knoll Leather Bench, Knoll Associates Inc.By Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Palm Springs, CAFlorence Knoll bench with early label Knoll Associates, Inc. Madison Ave, NY. We had the bench redone in brown leather. Bench measures 80" wide, 20" deep and 17.5" high. The bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Twenty George Sakier Vases for FostoriaBy George SakierLocated in Palm Springs, CAInstant collection of 20 George Sakier vases for the Fostoria Glass Company. They range from 4.5" to 13.75" high. Various colors in collection.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsBlown Glass
$18,000 / set - Pair of Tropitone ChaisesBy TropitoneLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of Tropitone chaises. We powder-coated the bases a satin white. Besides the powder coating they are all original. Each chaise is 72" wide, 24" deep and 13" high. The metal legs ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
MaterialsSteel
$2,995 / set - Pair of France & Daverkosen, Orholm Danmark Chairs for John Stuart, Inc.By John Stuart Inc., France & DaverkosenLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of collapsable scissor chairs produced by France & Daverkosen chairs for John Stuart, Inc. Made in Denmark/Danmark. Each chair measures (without cushions) 20.25" wide, 30.5" dee...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBeech
- Pair of Folding Chairs by Angel Pazmino for Muebles De EstiloBy Muebles De Estilo, Angel PazminoLocated in Palm Springs, CAPair of folding chairs by Angel Pazmino for Muebles De Estilo, Ecuador, circa 1960's. Wood frames with thick saddle leather backs embossed with Incan or Aztec designs. Seats are done...Category
Vintage 1960s Ecuadorean Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- George Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller 72" Slatted Platform Bench, 2002. Classic and timeless, this George Nelson bench has just the right amount of 20+ years of great honey colored patina...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBirch
- 1950s George Nelson Herman Miller 72.5 inch 4692 Slatted Platform Bench in BirchBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a 1950s vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller natural and black-lacquered birch platform bench (Model 4692). This classic George Nelson example has a gorgeous pa...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Benches
MaterialsBirch
- Midcentury George Nelson Slatted Bench for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Vintage Slat Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Hardwood slats with ebony-colored base. In very nice patinated condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple
- 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 - Beautiful Mid-Century Walnut Slatted Bench Chrome Frame Style of George NelsonBy George Nelson, Mueller Furniture, Herman MillerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Mid-Century Modern walnut slatted bench chrome frame style of George Nelson . Very clean 1960s bench. Made by Mueller Furniture Company USA. Very High Quality construction walnut and chrome plated steel are in great vintage condition. Has adjustable feet very heavy bench...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsChrome, Steel
$2,625 Sale Price25% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.