George Nelson Sectional Sofa in Dark Leather for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
George Nelson Sectional Sofa in Dark Leather for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 27.17 in (69 cm)Width: 255.91 in (650 cm)Depth: 29.93 in (76 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Antwerp, BE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU933414544462
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.
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 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.
- Felicerossi Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofa, 1970sBy FelicerossiLocated in Antwerp, BEFelicerossi; Italian; Post-Modern; Sectional Sofa; Modular Sofa; Italian Design; Italy; 1970s; Felice Rossi; Brown; Beige; Fabric; Upholstery; A rare ...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Giorgetti Royal Sofa by Antonello Mosca, Italy, 1970sLocated in Antwerp, BEGiorgetti royal sofa Antonello Mosca 1970s, Italy, Italian design, velvet, upholstery; modular; sectional sofa; 1970s; sofa; settee; couch; modular sea...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Camaleonda Lounge Chair in Boucle Wool by Mario Bellini, Sectional Sofa, 1970'sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Antwerp, BECamaleonda, Mario Bellini, vintage; modular camaleonda, newly reupholstered in bouclé wool; white; Postmodern; Lounge chair; Sofa; Seating element; Italian design classics; Postm...Category
Late 20th Century European Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Foam
- Camaleonda Sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, Italy, 1970sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Antwerp, BECamaleonda modular sofa by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, a timeless piece of furniture that emerged in the design scene during the 1970s. Comprising four large and two smaller seatin...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsVelvet
- Three-Seater Sofa by Georges van Rijck for Beaufort, Belgium, 1960sBy Beaufort, Georges van RijckLocated in Antwerp, BEThree-seater sofa designed by Georges van Rijck and manufactured by Beaufort in Belgium. This piece merges the timeless design aesthetics of 1960s Belgium with contemporary elegance....Category
Vintage 1960s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Camaleonda Sofa in Boucle Wool by Mario BelliniBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in Antwerp, BEMario Bellini, 'Cameleonda' sectional sofa in bouclé wool, Italy, 1972. Re-upholstered Camaleonda piece by Mario Bellini. The listing includes two seating cushions, two back cush...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWool, Foam
$24,200 / set
- George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Munster, NRWGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s, United States. Very fine Modular §seater sofa by George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. This sofa has a metal frame with square chro...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Modular Set of Sofas and Side TableBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller, sofa model ‘5671’, side table, fabric, metal, designed in 1955 and produced in 1956-78. This wonderful set is designed by the renowned American fur...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage George Nelson Steel Frame Modular Sectional Sofa for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Salt Lake City, UTVintage steel frame modular sectional by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Two separate sections each having two champagne colored velvet cushions and one white side table. Has origin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Sofa This sofa measures: 82 wide x 33 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat height of 16 and ar...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Sofa in Off-White UpholsteryBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller, sofa, chrome-plated metal, fabric, United States, 1960s This fine sofa is designed by the renowned American furniture designer George Nelson. This s...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling Sofa This sofa measures: 87 wide x 32 deep x 29 inches high, with a seat heigh...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsChrome
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.