Very Early Rare George Nelson Thin Edge Daybed for Herman Miller w. Cane
View Similar Items
Very Early Rare George Nelson Thin Edge Daybed for Herman Miller w. Cane
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 33.75 in (85.73 cm)Width: 81 in (205.74 cm)Depth: 38.75 in (98.43 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:1959
- Condition:near excellent vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062831255902
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.
- Stunning & Rare John Hutton for Donghia 'Block Island' Sofa of Wicker & MahoganyBy John Hutton, DonghiaLocated in Hudson, NYA very rare example from the limited production Block Island collection designed by John Hutton (1947-2006) for Donghia. The chocolate colored version is very rare- only a few were p...Category
20th Century American Modern Patio and Garden Furniture
MaterialsMahogany, Cane, Wicker
$14,800 Sale Price20% Off - Exquisite & Rare Harvey Probber Credenza Dresser w. Arpad Rasti Enameled DoorsBy Arpad Rosti, Harvey ProbberLocated in Hudson, NYStunning and rare collaboration between Harvey Probber and Arpad Rosti. This piece has been completely refinished to perfection including the matte white drawer fronts of the interio...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal, Brass, Enamel
$19,200 Sale Price20% Off - Rare and Excellent Harvey Probber Oak and Leather Arm ChairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Hudson, NYRare armchair designed by Harvey Probber and coming from Probber's own personal home and collection. This is a basic armchair likely designed later due to the more postmodern design ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Oak
- Rare Large Aluminum & Glass Floating X-base Table by John VeseyBy John VeseyLocated in Hudson, NYThe base features a signature design by John Vesey. The sawhorse base was constructed with a double-beam connected by a central stretcher. The end cap in the shape of T is enameled in black. It can be used as a dining table as well as a desk. See the last image of the table featured in the book "Manhattan Style" by John Esten, Bennett Gilbert and George...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum
$5,408 Sale Price21% Off - Vintage Fulvio Bianconi for Venini Pezzato VaseBy Fulvio Bianconi & Paolo Venini, Fulvio Bianconi, VeniniLocated in Hudson, NY'Paris' colorway of red, blue, green, and hay yellow glass. One of Bianconi's major contributions to the art of glassmaking, the Pezzato series premiered at the 1950 Venice Biennale...Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsArt Glass
- Sleek Ward Bennett for Lehigh Naugahyde Barrell Back Desk ChairsBy Ward Bennett, Lehigh Furniture CompanyLocated in Hudson, NYWard Bennett amazingly sleek designed office chair on aluminium star base. 3 available. All good condition with the exception of the naugahyde upholstery. All have some small tears a...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
$680 Sale Price / item20% Off
- George Nelson for Herman Miller MCM Rosewood Thin Edge Nightstands – PairBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Rosewood Thin Edge Nightstands – Pair Each nightstand measures: 18 wide x 18.5 deep x 23.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Nightstands, 1960. Absolutely beautiful and completely restored. Measure 18" wide, 18.5" deep, 22.5" tallCategory
Vintage 1960s American Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
- Pair George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood ChestsBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in New York, NYPair of George Nelson thin edge chests or nightstands. The items are rosewood veneer with four pull-out drawers and metal legs.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
$12,500 / set - Mid-Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera HeadboardBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Forney, TXA rare American Mid-Century Modern headboard for a double (full) size bed with storage and adjustable backrests by important Modernist architect and designer George Nelson (American, 1908-1986) for Herman Miller, circa 1950, model 4647 from the Primavera Collection, walnut, tufted vinyl, ebonized feet. Dimensions: (approx) 40" High, 56.25" Wide, 12" Deep A superb example, in excellent original vintage condition, having a pair tufted vinyl doors that slide down to reveal individual storage compartments. Walnut veneer in excellent condition with one small (.75") stable bubble beneath the surface at top (no splitting or discoloration present). Bed retains both brackets and anchor pins...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsUpholstery, PVC, Wood, Walnut
- George Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller, Model 4617By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in New York, NYGeorge Nelson & Associates Cabinets, Herman Miller model 4617. Handsome bedside cabinets/nightstands, purchased by Solo Modern, from the estate of famed Mad Magazine cartoonist, Mort Drucker...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum, Zinc
- George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood NightstandBy George NelsonLocated in San Francisco, CAGeorge Nelson design "Thin Edge" series nightstand for Herman Miller. Made from highly figural rosewood on tapering aluminum legs with a white lacquer cubby and an adjustable shelf. ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsRosewood
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.