George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
View Similar Items
George Nelson Marshmallow Sofa
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 51.5 in (130.81 cm)Depth: 31 in (78.74 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1956
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84748653753
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.
- George Nelson Bench or StoolBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILNelson for Herman Miller bench or vanity stool, model 4698 Solid black lacquer legs with ergonomic curved seat reupholstered with great plains boucle.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Footstools
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk and DresserBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Steel Frame Desk and Dresser, Model 4112 Desk and Model 4014 Dresser, Angled Steel White Frames with Walnut drawer ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Platform Bench with Four Drawer ChestBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Platform bench with four drawer chest. 4690 Platform bench 68" in lenght painted black bench. and 4701 Four rawer chest with wire pulls. The case, not connected, can be moved to desired position on bench. Case is the same depth as bench 18...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsOak
- George Nelson Prototype Domino ClockBy George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILNelson office, designed by Irving Harper for Howard Miller. This is the only clock and was never produced. Purchased from Howard Miller Executive.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Clocks
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson & Associates Beehive Pendant LampBy George Nelson, Nessen LightingLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson & Associates Beehive Pendant Lamp: Designed by Lucia DeRespinis (1960) for George Nelson's office for Nessen Studio, Textured enameled metal hexagonal shaped pyramid wi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal
- Rare Pair of George Nelson Storage Units for OmniBy George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILRare Pair of George Nelson Storage Units for Omni, One case features Four drawers in walnut and sliding door storage, and the other unit is mostly open for Display. They are finished...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
$11,800 / set
- Marshmallow Sofa by George Nelson AssociatesBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in 성동구, KRThe icon of post-war design, the Marshmallow sofa epitomizes an optimistic and heroic moment in American history. Designed by Irving Harper and George Nelson in 1954-56, the sofa bre...Category
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Marshmallow SofaBy George NelsonLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGeorge Nelson Marshmallow sofa, model 5670 Manufactured by Herman Miller A great example of an iconic form.Category
Vintage 1950s American Sofas
MaterialsChrome, Stainless Steel, Steel
- Early, Museum Quality Marshmallow Sofa by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXEarly production Marshmallow sofa model 5670 designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1956. This is an early excellent (One of the best) examples of 186 ever produced betwe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Modular Group SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThe modular seating group designed by the Nelson office in 1955 is one of our favorite sofa designs. It was designed on a 30" module and offered in a wide variety of configurations. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century SofaBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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 Modular Sofa Table System Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Berlin, BEModular Sofa by George Nelson with a strong metal structure including chrome-plated feet. Two vintage grey upholstered Seats with buttoned backrests and a square Formica side-table t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
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.