George Nelson for Herman Miller Chests of Drawers
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Chests of Drawers
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 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:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Structurally excellent. The cabinets have possibly been refinished at some point in their history, though they show aged patina. The finish shows wear as pictured including marks, nicks and scratches correct for age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU949529923402
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.
- Gilbert Rhode for Herman Miller EOG No. 17 Receptionist DeskBy Gilbert Rohde, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this rare Gilbert Rohde EOG No. 17 Receptionist Desk manufactured by Herman Miller in the 1940s. The desk is in original, unrestored condition. It's compose...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson & Daniel Lewis for Koch Lowy "Eyeshade" Articulated Desk LampBy Koch & Lowy, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this uncommon 1970s "Eyeshade" articulated desk lamp designed by George Nelson and Daniel Lewis for Koch & Lowy. The shade can be raised up/down, rotate, and tilt up/down. It is composed of an outer perforated black metal screen, an inner aluminum shade, and green acrylic end detail that glows when the light is on, an apparent modern reference to the green glass shades of antique bankers lamps...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- Herman DeVries for Cushman No. 5-82 Easy ChairsBy H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company, Herman de VriesLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this pair of No. 5-82 "Searsburg" easy chairs designed in the 1930s by Herman de Vries as part of Cushman Furniture's Colonial Creations Collection. They ar...Category
Vintage 1930s American American Colonial Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Maple
$1,470 / set - Paul Frankl Armchair for John StuartBy Johnson Furniture Company, Paul Frankl, John StuartLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this rare model 2254 ½ armchair designed by Paul Frankl in all-original, unrestored condition. It features a sculptural solid wood frame with delicate curve...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Model 5665 CredenzaBy Edward WormleyLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this handsome Edward Wormley Model 5665 Credenza featuring it original 1950's finish; walnut case; three upper drawers with recessed pulls and divided interiors; three sliding doors of interwoven, laminated walnut veneer; three pull-out tray drawers behind the end doors; adjustable shelves behind the center door; passage in the back panel for cables; and Dunbar metal...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Side TableBy Eero SaarinenLocated in Brooklyn, NYFor your consideration is this all-original tulip side table designed in 1957 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll featuring an elegantly slim aluminum base with original off white finish and ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a 4 drawer chest in walnut with cast metal pulls, black lacquered angular legs and cast aluminum finger pulls. Top drawer has removable dividers. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern five-drawer dresser chest By George Nelson for Herman Miller, "Basic Cabinet ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest in Walnut with ShelvingBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a rare 3 drawer chest with shelving compartment. Walnut with cast metal pulls that we have painted black, with black lacquered angular legs. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYGorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of George Nelson Design for Herman Miller Chests / Dressers / CommodesBy George NelsonLocated in Stamford, CTA pair of Mid-Century Modern George Nelson design for Herman Miller chests / dressers / commodes. Signed with labels this pair of side by side and all drawer chests have mahogany fro...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in London, GBMade in the United States in middle of the 20th century, this pair of chests are a design classic by George Nelson for Herman Miller. One has three drawers and the other four - ple...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.