Midcentury George Nelson Slatted Bench for Herman Miller

About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 70.25 in (178.44 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. General surface wear consistent with the bench's age and use, including scuffs and scratches.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1569231720132
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, 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Midcentury Walnut Coffee Table by Warren Church for Lane CompanyBy Lane FurnitureLocated in New York, NYHandsome 1960s Perception coffee table, designed by Warren Church for Virginia-based Lane Company. Crafted in rich oak and walnut, the coffee t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsOak, Walnut
- Karl Springer Style Grasscloth-Upholstered Chrome BenchBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYMid to late 20th Century bench designed in the the style of Karl Springer. Much like his designs, this bench combines a minimalist form with richly textured and contrasting materials...Category
20th Century Benches
MaterialsChrome
- Custom Walnut and Metal Racetrack Coffee TableLocated in New York, NYAn elegant, custom made coffee table by Moni Abbasi from Hudson & Scout, a bespoke woodwork and carpentry shop. It is comprised of a vintage metal base...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Coc...
MaterialsMetal
- Chinese Lacquered and Hand Painted Gilt Coffee TableLocated in New York, NYWith hand painted gilt decoration. The tabletop is an older panel, circa early 20th century. Graceful curves and rounded corners characterize the table's structural design, while det...Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- 1960s Danish Rosewood Coffee Table by MøbelfabrikBy Vejle Stole & MøbelfabrikLocated in New York, NYVersatile midcentury Danish Modern Coffee Table manufactured by Vejle Møbelfabrik Stole. Constructed in Rosewood, this coffee table is a lovely example of Danish craftsmanship and de...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-20th Century Amorphous Root Coffee TableLocated in New York, NYThis uniquely shaped table was made from a tree root in the Mid-20th Century. It is richly textured with a smooth finish and flattened top. We love the exposed wood grain with its or...Category
Mid-20th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple BlondeBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful midcentury George Nelson Herman Miller slatted bench. This bench is 60" Long Slatted coffee table or bench. Blonde bench top with Black Lacquer ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple, Lacquer
- Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple BlondeBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Iconic George Nelson #4691 Vintage Slat Bench for Herman Miller Uncommon 68"By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in St. Louis, MOA true Mid-Century Modern classic, this timeless c. 1960s model #4691 slat bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller has that sought after warm patina to the maple slats on e...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple
- Mid Century George Nelson for Herman Miller Slatted Bench Maple Blonde / BlackBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- George Nelson Long Slat Bench Black Finish Herman Miller Mid-Century Modern 1950By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Beautiful Midcentury Solid Birch Slatted Bench Style of George NelsonBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Mid-Century Modern solid wood slatted bench style of George Nelson. Very clean 1950s stalled bench or coffee table. Made in USA circa 1950. Very High Quality construction S...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
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.

The 16 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about to how they came to be.