Vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller Series 8000 Walnut Credenza
View Similar Items
Vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller Series 8000 Walnut Credenza
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.5 in (67.31 cm)Width: 55.5 in (140.97 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. top has been refinished.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6646232446152
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.
- Vintage George nelson Steel frame Side table for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAsimple and elegant black steel frame with white laminate side table on castors. designed by George Nelson for Herman MillerCategory
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- Vintage George Nelson 3 Bay Walnut Omni Wall UnitBy George Nelson, Structural Products Inc.Located in Philadelphia, PABeautiful walnut and aluminum ceiling to floor Omni wall unit by George Nelson. features walnut faced aluminum uprights with one light, tambour cabinet, sliding door cabinet, desk ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage 3 bay Omni Wall Unit by George NelsonBy George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful 3 bay Omni wall unit by goerge nelson. walnut with floor to ceiling aluminum uprights.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage Textured Vase by Nelson GliddenLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful ceramic vase by Nelson Glidden of Wolfeboro, NH. Slab built with multi colored glaze and wonderful texture. See photos for split near top from firing. Signed "N. Glidden" o...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic
- Vintage George Briard lce BucketBy George BriardLocated in Philadelphia, PAGreat looking vintage black ice bucket with teak lid and Bent teak handle. will go well with any mid century or contemporary bar set.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wine Coolers
MaterialsPlastic, Teak
- Early George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll AssociatesBy George Nakashima Woodworkers, KnollLocated in Philadelphia, PABeautiful early version of the N19 straight back chair in birch. Designed and made by George Nakashima and sold by Knoll associates. this early v...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- George Nelson 8000 Series Credenza for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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 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
- George Nelson Credenza for Herman Miller, Walnut and White Lacquer, 1960sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Round Rock, TXA wonderful credenza designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Part of the Executive Office Group (EOG) line designed for executive offices of the period. Featuring lovely wal...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage MCM George Nelson for Herman Miller Custom Designed Sideboard CredenzaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- 1960 George Nelson 8000 Series EOG Credenza for Herman Miller with Walnut TopBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a gorgeous 8000 series Executive Office Group sliding-door cabinet / credenza, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller. This example dates to circa...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- 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
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.