George Nelson Custom Speaker Cabinets Girard Textile
View Similar Items
George Nelson Custom Speaker Cabinets Girard Textile
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:like new.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U1207319347103
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.
- Enzo Mari Bookshelf in Solid Mirror Polished AluminumBy Enzo MariLocated in Toronto, OntarioA bookshelf from Enzo Mari's iconic "Autoprogettazione" series of furniture. This example was created in a solid aluminum and hand mirror-polished. An incredible object in person. Im...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsAluminum
- Pierre Jeanneret Storage UnitBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in Toronto, OntarioA solid sisso rosewood storage unit by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project, circa 1958. Model PJ-R-14-A This example is a survivor. S...Category
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsRosewood
- Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-48-A Upholstered Armchairs in TeakBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in Toronto, OntarioA true rarity to find a matching pair of scarce Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-48-A crossed leg upholstered armchairs. This pair is made from solid teak wood and has been sympathetically restored. Joints have been shored up, holes or large cracks have been filled, and reupholstered in a light sand linen...Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsTeak
- Pierre Jeanneret DaybedBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in Toronto, OntarioA very nice and rather rare daybed or diwan by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project, circa 1957. These daybeds were produced in small numbers for Punjab University Administ...Category
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsTeak
$48,000 - Pierre Jeanneret Stadium Lounge ChairsBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in Toronto, OntarioA pair or unique "Stadium" chairs by Pierre Jeanneret for the Chandigarh Project, circa 1956. These chairs are 2 of only 3 known (I have the other single if needed). They were created for lounge seating for a stadium at Punjab University in the mid to late 50's. Crafted from solid teak. These examples have some stunning characteristics in both construction and in form. Very similar to the iconic Kangaroo Lounge chair...Category
Vintage 1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
$48,000 / set - Paavo Tynell Wall LampBy Paavo TynellLocated in Toronto, OntarioA beautiful Paavo Tynell two shaded wall lamp for Taito Oy AB. Incredible quality and craftsmanship on this example. Solid brass body with two original handblown glass shades. Mo...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsBrass
$6,900
- 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 - Cabinet by Alexander Girard for George Nelson, USA C. 1965By Alexander GirardLocated in Jersey City, NJOne of four cabinets with sliding doors and open pulls made for George Nelson's office and designed by Alexander Girard. The cabinet is in its original condition with its original "G...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- Alexander Girard & George Nelson Inc. Wall Mounted Vanity, Model 1030By Alexander Girard, George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WAAn unusual and rare wall mounted vanity from the 1964 Herman Miller accessory line to the CSS storage system. A collaborative design by Alexander Girard...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge CabinetBy George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXA rosewood thin edge cabinet / bookshelf designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.Category
Vintage 1950s Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson Style Mid-Century Storage CabinetBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis large modular wall cabinet features a stunning array of storage options in a uniquely designed package. Numerous drawers and cabinets are mat...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
$3,500 Sale Price27% Off - 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
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.