George Nelson Secretary and Bookcase on Basic Series Legs, Mfg. Herman Miller
View Similar Items
George Nelson Secretary and Bookcase on Basic Series Legs, Mfg. Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39.75 in (100.97 cm)Width: 80.25 in (203.84 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1952
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Restored to showroom condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU818013482742
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.
- George Nelson Basic Series Cabinet on Ebonized Herman Miller BenchBy George NelsonLocated in Hopewell, NJRare 1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller cabinet set upon an1 iconic Herman Miller slat ebonized bench.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Thin Edge Secretary Desk Cabinet for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Lake Worth, FL1950s original Thin Edge secretary desk cabinet designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This early version features the rare black enamel stainless large pulls and tapered wood feet. Cabinet on the right includes an adjustable shelf and 2 drawers. Pull down desk is covered with black leather and features 5 drawers on the left side with original small white porcelain George Nelson drawer pulls...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-century George Nelson Secretary Dresser and desk for Herman Miller, 1960'sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson Secretary for Herman Miller, 1960's Walnut Herman Miller tag on inside of drawer. 5 drawers and a pull-down desktop. Measures: ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsWalnut, Plywood
- 1950 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Two Door Cabinet in WalnutBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a two-door cabinet designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller circa 1950. This is a gorgeous original example, which appears remarkably intact. As not...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- George Nelson Herman Miller Miniature Chest # 5215By George NelsonLocated in St.Petersburg, FLUnusual version of the George Nelson miniature/jewelry chest #5215. This one features the white formica on the bottom of the case not the top as is more typical. Teak wood constructi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
- Midcentury George Nelson Gentlemens Secretary ChestBy George NelsonLocated in Pasadena, TXGeorge Nelson George Nelson (1908-1986) was an important modernist whose work cut across the fields of interior, industrial and exhibition design. Nelson studied architecture at Yale University in the 1920s, and in the next two decades earned a strong reputation as a writer on design for Architectural Forum, Interiors and Fortune. In 1945 Nelson began a long association with the Herman Miller Furniture Company of Zeeland, Michigan, where as head designer he developed an innovative line of furniture and commissioned new designs from others. His first commission was Isamu Noguchi`s biomorphic glass-topped coffee table, which began production in 1947, the first of many designs that the sculptor would create for Herman Miller in the late Forties. Nelson also was responsible for bringing the designs of Charles Eames to Herman Miller, and he collaborated with R. Buckminster Fuller on a number of projects. Among Nelson`s own creations are classic works of 1950s design, including the bubble lamp, ball clock, marshmallow sofa and the pole-supported wall-storage system. Nelson also designed numerous exhibitions, including the 1959 American National Exhibition in Moscow, and the Chrysler Corporation display at the 1964 New York World`s Fair. Vintage midcentury George Nelson walnut secretary 1960s A great example of early George Nelson design. Secretary desk and dresser...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Secretaires
MaterialsWalnut
$3,920 Sale Price20% Off
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.