Thin Edge Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
Thin Edge Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 84 in (213.36 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Palm Springs, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU93803955053
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.
- Black Lacquered and Brass Sectional Sofa by Michael Taylor for BakerBy Baker Furniture Company, Michael TaylorLocated in Palm Springs, CA1950’s four piece black lacquered and brass with off white fabric sectional sofa by Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture Co. Newly recovered with a soft off white chenille fabric. Th...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- off White Leather and Stainless Steel Parallel Bar Sofa by Florence KnollBy Florence Knoll, KnollLocated in Palm Springs, CAOff white leather and brush stainless steel parallel bar sofa designed by Florence Knoll for Knoll. This came out of the Australian embassy and retains their label. This was reupholstered about 10 years ago. Was used only in winter home...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Off White Semi-Circular Channel Sectional Sofa by Steve ChaseBy Steve ChaseLocated in Palm Springs, CA1990’s Glamorous off white channel two piece half circle sectional sofa by Steve chase. Newly recovered in a soft off white chenille fabric. O...Category
1990s American Modern Sectional Sofas
MaterialsFabric
- Walnut and Fabric SofaLocated in Palm Springs, CAA beautiful 1970s sofa with a walnut leg frame. The sofa has been newly recovered, the frame is in original condition and it has minor chips on the back legs (see detail photos). Me...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
$4,700 - Pair of Long Lite Blue Down Filled Sofas by Steve ChaseBy Steve ChaseLocated in Palm Springs, CA1980’s glamorous pair of long lite blue down filled sofas by Steve Chase. This came out of a Steven Chase design estate in Indian Wells CA. and wer...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Down
- White Lacquered Faux Bamboo Sofa Attributed to Robsjohn GibbingsBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Palm Springs, CAGlamorous 1960’s white lacquered faux bamboo sofa attributed to Robsjohn Gibbings The frame is caved wood to look like bamboo with original white lacquered finish, newly upholstere...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 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 Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
- 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 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 Midcentury Leather and Chrome Sling SofaBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Sofa in Light Brown Patterned UpholsteryBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller, sofa, model ‘5671’, fabric, metal, designed in 1955 and produced in 1956-78. This wonderful midcentury sofa is designed by the renowned American ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
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.