George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk with Hairpin Legs
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk with Hairpin Legs
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 66 in (167.64 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. age appropriate wear, vintage finish worn, minor scuffs, scratches, aluminum leveler broken, missing drawer pull, original legs have been replaced.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 13361-9994JR1stDibs: LU92187513383
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.
- Herman Miller Office DeskBy Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYModern office desk by Herman Miller. Made in 1993 while retaining the mid-century modern style. Large wood top with metal hardware. Please confirm location NY or NJ.Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- American Walnut & Brass Vintage Executive DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYRevive the hustle and bustle of the mid-century American workplace with this jaw-dropping walnut executive desk. Boasting a newly refinished walnut top measuring over 14 square feet ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
$1,960 Sale Price30% Off - Vintage George Nelson Tall Dresser by Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic vintage Herman Miller tall dresser created by legendary American designer George Nelson. Featuring six ample pull-out drawers, this is the ultimate storage solution for any...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Mid-Century George Nelson for Herman Miller DresserBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYDresser by George Nelson, circa 1950. This stunning piece boasts ebonized drawer fronts, maple casings, and unique circular pulls. A sleek mid-century design that makes the perfect a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautifulmid century modern pedestal table by Herman Miller can be used as a coffee or end table, and features the sleek and simple design of mid-century designer George Nelson....Category
1990s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage George Nelson Style Office Desk or TableBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis impressive Mid-Century Modern desk features a chrome office style base and a walnut top. A versatile piece that functions as a work desk or a conference table. A sturdy design t...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Industrial and Work Tables
MaterialsChrome
$2,450 Sale Price30% Off
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- George Nelson Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
- Yellow & Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller MintBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Rockaway, NJYellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson X-Leg Table for Herman Miller. Originally designed and produced in the 1950s this was made as a work table for an office but equally intended for a dining space as well...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s The Top has a very floating appearance.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Home Desk for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Hudson, NYWalnut with original custom white leather writing surface and sliding floating doors, small drawers in maple. Storage and drop down typing table with original perforated aluminum fil...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
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.