George Nelson BCS Cabinet
View Similar Items
George Nelson BCS Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Asbury Park, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU98491715702
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 2 Door CabinetBy Herman MillerLocated in Asbury Park, NJRarely seen 2 door cabinet by George Nelson. Inside cabinet has two sliding draws on right side and a single replacement shelf on left side. There is ro...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Danish Rosewood Corner CabinetLocated in Asbury Park, NJTwo piece rosewood Danish corner cabinet. Top section has two glass doors. There are three shelves and two lights in this piece. Bottom cabinet h...Category
Vintage 1970s Danish Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
Sold$1,875 - General Fireproof 2 Draw CabinetBy General Fireproofing CompanyLocated in Asbury Park, NJGreat General Fireproof two draws cabinet. This rarely seen example has a glass door on top and solid draw on the bottom. Draws pull out when doors a...Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
Sold$1,395 - 1973 Paul Evans Floating CabinetBy Paul EvansLocated in Asbury Park, NJA stunning Paul Evans cabinet or credenza adorned in figural burl veneer and mirrored chrome tiles at the back. The cabinet is lifted from the ground on a well proportioned platform ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood, Burl
- George Nelson for Koch & Lowy LampBy George NelsonLocated in Asbury Park, NJThis floor lamp by George Nelson for Koch & Lowy, was Nelson's last lamp design. It culminated many design features developed by Nelson over his career. The...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
Sold$1,895 - Danish 6 Draws DresserLocated in Asbury Park, NJNice Danish Teak Dresser with 6 draws. Desk is in nice vintage shape. There is one small ding on the top front and is noted in one of the photos. This dresser is nicely made and show...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
$1,675
- George Nelson Steel Frame CabinetBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAGeorge Nelson steel frame cabinet. One walnut front drawer on top and 2 Yellow Sliding doors. Steel Frame and drawer fronts all refin...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsIron
$2,560 Sale Price20% Off - Early George Nelson Buffet Cabinet 4625By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a very rare 1940s petite buffet cabinet designed by George Nelson for his first modern collection for Herman Miller in 1948. The buffet cabinet fe...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsWalnut
Sold$2,100 - George Nelson Steel Frame Cabinets for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAFirst year production George Nelson Steel Frame Case series cabinet. Sky blue sides and facade available with either the white steel frame/black linoleum top configuration or the b...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsSteel
- Stereo Cabinet by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Belmont, MAStereo cabinet by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Original radio and record player intact. Two pieces.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsOak
- George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller Cabinet Model 5211By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Houston, TXGeorge Nelson & Associates Miniature cabinet, model 5211 Herman Miller USA, 1950s Walnut, rosewood, enameled steel, laminate, porcelain Measures: 20.25 W × 14 D × 32.25 H in ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /CabinetsBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Westport, CTPair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
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.