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 chairs, sofas, tables and other 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. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
H 31 in W 22 in D 20 in
Rollback Chair by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller
By Ray Wilkes, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Extremely rare chair by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller. Back of chair adjusts to lumbar preference. Fully reupholstered in Maharam wool.
Wool
H 33 in W 28 in D 23 in
Vintage Midcentury Ray Wilkes Chiclet Office Task Chair
By Ray Wilkes
Located in Pasadena, TX
Herman Miller Ray Wilkes Originally from Surrey, England, Ray Wilkes brought a combination of British precision and wit to Herman Miller. He earned a design degree from the Royal College of Art in London in 1961 and was awarded an American Travel Scholarship. He became acquainted with Herman Miller when he worked in New York with George Nelson on special products R&D. His contribution to Herman Miller has been in the development of Soft Seating, with special concern for user needs. Vintage midcentury Ray Wilkes Chiclet...
Aluminum
H 31.89 in W 26.78 in D 22.84 in
DSS-TA Chair, Charles & Ray Eames, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Neuss, NW
DSS-TA chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Stainless steel frame with fibreglass seat shell and a foldable table top made of Micarta and plywood with Formi...
Stainless Steel
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 21.66 in
Vintage Green Chairs DSX -H Base by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Vintage Green Chairs DSX -H Base by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s Vintage Design Designer Charles and Ray Eames by publisher Herm...
Metal
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 21.66 in
Set of 50 Vintage Green Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller
Located in Andrézieux-Bouthéon, FR
Set of 60 Vintage Green Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1960s Vintage Design Designer Charles and Ray Eames by publisher Herman...
Metal
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 20.87 in
Charles and Ray Eames Contract Base Arm Chair by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Dronten, NL
Swiveling parchment fiberglass arm chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Original desirable 1960s version. Swiveling and height adjustable, marked Herman Miller ...
Aluminum
H 31.5 in W 18.51 in D 20.87 in
Dining Chairs DSR by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 4
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 4 midnight blue fiberglass chairs. Stamped Herman Miller (see photo). Eiffels legs. Seat height: 45 cm. Wear due to time and age of chairs.
Metal
H 32.29 in W 25.6 in D 21.66 in
Armchairs by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1970s, set of 6
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Set of 6 fiberglass chairs in orange color with chrome metal legs. Stamped H by Herman Miller on the bottom. Wear due to time and age of chairs. Seat height:...
Metal
H 31 in W 21 in D 19 in
Herman Miller Chairs Alexander Girard Miller Stripe
By Alexander Girard, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Post Modern Herman Miller Chairs with gorgeous Alexander Girard Miller Stripe fabric. Added bonus is that these can stack. Up to 3 available Arm H 25'' ask for custom shipping quote
Metal
H 32 in W 19 in D 19.5 in
Set of Four Charles and Ray Eames DKW-1 Chairs for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early set of four wire frame chairs by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. The chairs feature greige marled fabric seat covers over black metal frames. Each chair rests on four ...
Metal
Eames Storage Unit by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Charles Eames
Located in Dallas, TX
The innovative Eames Storage Unit (1950) was designed to be configured to fit a specific space or need, and uses an ingenious and inventive system of construction as simple and as op...
Steel
Pair of Italian Dante Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of exquisite Italian wood "Dante" style chairs from the early 20th century. These feature x-base frames with carved accents and a crest back. Vintage cushions in good condition ...
Walnut
Herman Miller Dining Table with 4 Bertoia Chairs
By Harry Bertoia
Located in Dallas, TX
Look no further! With Classic mid century styling and a timeless icon of mid-century modern design, this set of 4 Bertoia chairs with Herman M...
Steel
Pair of His & Hers French Lounge Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome pair of his and hers French Provincial accent chairs in golden yellow upholstery. Down filled seat cushions. Circa mid-20th cen...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Cube Chairs in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Handsome pair of Milo Baughman style cube chairs on chrome plinth bases. Fresh, new gray tweed upholstery.
Chrome
Pair of Milo Baughman Teardrop Swivel/Tilt Chairs
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin teardrop swivel chairs with Walnut plinth bases. In all original condition, with wear/staining to upholstery and minor losses to plinth base;...
Fabric, Foam, Walnut
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
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.
