Thin Edge Credenza by George Nelson for Herman Miller
View Similar Items
Thin Edge Credenza by George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 67 in (170.18 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU138423960263
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 for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
$2,796 Sale Price20% Off - Teak Credenza by Johannes Aasbjerg for Aasbjerg & Ørtoft, ca. 1960By Johannes Aasbjerg, Excellent Furniture Co.Located in Costa Mesa, CATeak Credenza by Johannes Aasbjerg for Aasbjerg & Ørtoft, ca. 1960. Johannes Aasbjerg designed for his company, Excellent Furniture Company in Denmark. This cabinet is exceptional ...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
$5,200 Sale Price20% Off - Bespoke Credenza by Aksel Harboe, 1999Located in Costa Mesa, CABespoke Buffet or Credenza by Aksel Harboe, 1999. Mr. Harboe was a master cabinetmaker, trained and educated in Denmark. He moved to the United States in ...Category
1990s American American Craftsman Buffets
MaterialsCherry, Wenge
$6,800 Sale Price20% Off - Charles Eames for Herman Miller LCW in Ash, ca. 1952By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Costa Mesa, CACharles Eames for Herman Miller LCW in Ash, ca. 1952. Early original with Herman Miller foil label. Chair is in immaculate condition with all original shock mounts. No chips or wa...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAsh, Bentwood
$2,560 Sale Price20% Off - 6 Limited Edition Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM in Tri-Color Hairy HideBy Charles Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Costa Mesa, CASet of 6 Limited Edition Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCM in Tri-Color Hairy Hide, 1998. This rare set of DCM chairs were only produced for a short period of time and were a part ...Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsCowhide, Ash
$5,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Floating Burlwood Buffet or Credenza by Janet Schweitzer for Pace CollectionBy Janet Schweitzer, Pace CollectionLocated in Costa Mesa, CAFloating Burlwood Buffet or Credenza by Janet Schweitzer for Pace Collection, ca. 1970. Beautiful original burl wood with high gloss lacquer finish. All original hardware and adjus...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBurl
- George Nelson 8000 Series Credenza for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is a beautiful example of the classic Nelson design for Herman Miller's executive office group, the top and sides are Walnut, and the sliding doors are black and white laminate ...Category
Vintage 1960s Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, RefinishedBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By George Nelson for Herman Miller USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with original aluminum hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson - 4 File DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these (found together) listed separately. These appear to be ups...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson - 1 File DrawerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Herman Miller Executive credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these (found together) listed separately. These appear to be ups...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Low Walnut CredenzaBy George NelsonLocated in Denton, TXRare Glass sliding doors on a walnut display cabinet with adjustable shelves. Chrome legs with original Domes of silence glides. The Herman Miller badge is missing, please see pictur...Category
20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage MCM George Nelson for Herman Miller Custom Designed Sideboard CredenzaBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Keego Harbor, MIA mid century modern George Nelson for Herman Miller custom designed sideboard credenza. A stunning piece of iconic furniture from George Nelson for Herman Miller. This sideboard credenza features a custom red granite top, rolling caster legs, a black sliding front door, ample drawers and shelves, and includes an additional George Nelson desk hutch...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
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.