George Nelson Modular Sofa with Table
View Similar Items
George Nelson Modular Sofa with Table
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 91 in (231.14 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Kalamazoo, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5573232473462
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.
- Edward Wormley Dunbar Floating Back SofaBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Kalamazoo, MIRare 1950s sofa design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar featuring a beautiful exposed mahogany frame and a floating arm and back section. Showcasing Wormley's deft skill of transforming ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMahogany
- Borge Mogensen Oak Sofa for Fredericia StolefabrikBy Fredericia Stolefabrik, Børge MogensenLocated in Kalamazoo, MISuperb four seat solid oak sofa model 2219 from Danish designer Borge Mogensen. Made by Fredericia Stolefabrik in the 1960s, this example has fantastic original wool cushion covers i...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWool, Oak
- Vintage Sculptural Bamboo Sofa by Rohe Noorwolde, 1960sBy Rohe NoordwoldeLocated in Kalamazoo, MIBeautifully meandering bentwood sofa with great sculptural quality by Rohe Noorwolde of the Netherlands. Expertly crafted and eye catching, this low loveseat...Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Sofas
MaterialsBamboo
- Fredrick Kayser Style LoveseatBy Fredrik A. Kayser, Vatne MøblerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a sleek and comfortable loveseat that stands on its own as a beautiful piece of mid-century modern furniture. Although not formally attributed, this loveseat is clearly in th...Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsMahogany
- George Nakashima for Widdicomb attributed mirrorBy George NakashimaLocated in Kalamazoo, MIStunning vintage sculpted walnut framed mirror attributed to George Nakashima for his Origins collection for Widdicomb-Mueller, 1958-1964. This mirror incorporates Nakashima’s distin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsWalnut
- Eames Designer's Swivel StoolBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIBlue upholstered Eames chair on tall designer swivel base with casters. This is an unusual and eye-catching combination that pairs comfort and functionality.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- 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 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
- 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
- George Nelson, Modular Sofa and Table Seating System, 1966 for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Herman Miller George Nelson Modular Seating Cognac Natural Leather SofaBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Munich, BavariaThis living room set model modular sofa was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This set was completely re -upholstered in high premium cognac Natural leather. It has a soft...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel, Chrome
- Modular Table Bench by George Nelson for Herman Miller with Pierre Frey cushionBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DE“design is a response to social change“ george nelson said, the director of design with office furniture manufacturer herman miller. economic growth and larger companies lead to rapi...Category
Vintage 1950s 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.