George Nelson Eog Desk with Off-White Top
View Similar Items
George Nelson Eog Desk with Off-White Top
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 65.5 in (166.37 cm)Depth: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)
- 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.
- Seller Location:Kalamazoo, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5573229747532
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 Nakashima for Widdicomb attributed mirrorBy George NakashimaLocated in Kalamazoo, MIStunning vintage sculpted walnut framed mirror attributed to George Nakashima for his Origins collection for Widdicomb-Mueller, 1958-1964. This mirror incorporates Nakashima’s distin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsWalnut
- Danish Modern Teak Bookshelf DeskBy Arne VodderLocated in Kalamazoo, MISuperbly proportioned Danish teak desk with rear bookshelf and floating pedestals from the 1950s. This design has been attributed to designer Arne Vodder for Sibast by other sellers ...Category
Mid-20th Century Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Florence Knoll T-Bar Coffee Table, 'Black Top'By Florence KnollLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis classic steel T-Bar coffee table was designed by Florence Knoll in approximately 1952. It still retains its original Knoll Bowtie Label, confirming that it is part of an early K...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Eames Designer's Swivel StoolBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Kalamazoo, MIBlue upholstered Eames chair on tall designer swivel base with casters. This is an unusual and eye-catching combination that pairs comfort and functionality.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Early Ralph Rapson Rocker with Leather WebbingBy Ralph Rapson, KnollLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a rare first year production from HG Knoll Associates of a stunning rocking chair designed by Ralph Rapson. It boasts a solid birch frame with original woven leather webbing...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsBirch, Leather
- Eames Zenith RAR Rocking Chair with Rope EdgeBy Charles Eames, ZenithLocated in Kalamazoo, MIThis is a highly collectible early edition rocking armchair on rod base (RAR) designed by Ray and Charles Eames and made by Zenith Plastics. The fiber-rich lemon yellow fiberglass sh...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chairs
MaterialsMetal
$2,240 Sale Price40% Off
- Early George Nelson Eog Executive Desk with Return for Herman Miller, 1950sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely stunning Mid-Century Modern desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The Executive Office Group, NO 8000 Series...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
$9,425 Sale Price35% Off - George Nelson Desk for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in San Mateo, CADouble pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- MMG Desk by George Nelson Associates, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in 성동구, KRThe MMG desk, which was produced for a short period of only 5 years, was designed with 22 parts in a modular form that can be combined according to the user's choice. It is often wr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXStriking black and walnut roll-top architect's desk with three drawers and hidden file storage. Produced in 1964 by the Herman Miller company for the Action Office Series...Category
Mid-20th Century American Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Herman Miller Typewriter Desk Return by George NelsonBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Oklahoma City, OKIntroducing the iconic Herman Miller typewriter desk return, a testament to the visionary design of George Nelson. This exceptional piece seamlessly combin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Desk with ReturnBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Desk with Return This desk measures: 65 wide x 84.5 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 inches All pieces of furnitur...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
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.