George Nelson pair of stools for Herman Miller 1955
View Similar Items
George Nelson pair of stools for Herman Miller 1955
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)Width: 16.15 in (41 cm)Depth: 16.15 in (41 cm)Seat Height: 18.12 in (46 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1955
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Roosendaal, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93302924562
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.
- Pair of Rattan Stools Made in Spain 1950By Franco AlbiniLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantInteresting pair of stools in rattan, made in spain ca 1950. The condition is very good, no signs of heavy usage or weakened parts of framework. These ...Category
Vintage 1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsRattan
$1,154 / set - Dom Hans van der Laan Stool for Sint-Willibrorduskerk Almelo, 1964By Dom Hans van der Laan, Jan de JongLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare stool designed by Dom Hans van der Laan and executed by Jan de Jong for the Sint-Willibrorduskerk Almelo, 1964. This stool comes from the church who had 6 of these stools in the...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood
- Dom Hans van der Laan Stool for Vincentius a Paulokerk Eindhoven, 1964By Dom Hans van der Laan, Jan de JongLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare stool designed by Dom Hans van der Laan and executed by Jan de Jong for the Vincentius a Paulokerk Eindhoven, 1964. This stool comes from the church who had several of these sto...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsWood
- Metal and Wicker Bucket Stools Austria 1950By Herta-maria WitzemannLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantUncommon shaped pair of so called bucket bar stools, made in Austria in the 1950s. These stools have a black painted solid metal frame which is very s...Category
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
$3,243 / set - José Zanine Caldas trunk stool Brazil 1979By José Zanine CaldasLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantA stool made of a hollow trunk designed by José Zanine Caldas, manufactured in his own workshop in Nova Vicosa, Brazil 1979. Made from a solid hardwood trunk with a stunning original patina. Finished with transparent lacquer. It can also serve as a side table. The sculpted conical shape is created by hollowing out a log, making it an interesting and versatile piece of furniture. Comes with Caldas certificate. The Denuncia series by José Zanine Caldas, to which the trunk stool...Category
Vintage 1970s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsHardwood
- Jan de Jong Bossche School Stool Holland 1970By Jan de JongLocated in Roosendaal, Noord BrabantRare and very collectable example of the "Bossche school" furniture by architect Jan de Jong. Together with Dom Hans van der Laan, de Jong who started out ...Category
Vintage 1970s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsIron
- George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA, 1960sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s in all original condition with the rare brown base George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer and architect who...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Stool for Herman MillerBy Vitra, George NelsonLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson stool for Herman Miller Early Vitra label.Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Hanover, MAGeorge Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsAluminum
- MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Rio Vista, CAMid-Century Modern leather perch stool or chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Versatile chair with adjustable hand-stitched leather seat hav...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsSteel, Aluminum
- Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1970sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Renens, CHVintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat tha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Renens, CHVintage Design Nelson Swivel Pedestal Stool for Herman Miller, 1960s Stool from the Pedestal series by George Nelson, with cover in playful orange vinyl. Nice and compact seat that ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsMetal
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.