George Nelson for Herman Miller Five-Drawer Chest of Drawers
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Five-Drawer Chest of Drawers
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5047116356702
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.
- Vintage Slat Platform Bench by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage slat platform bench designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Hardwood slats with ebony-colored base. In very nice patinated condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMaple
- Vintage Magazine or Record Holder in the Style of Mathieu Matego for PilastroBy PilastroLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage magazine or record holder in the style of Mathieu Mategot for Pilastro, Holland. White perforated steel with faux-"rattan" wrap on handle.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage Magazine or Record Holder in the Style of Mathieu Matego for PilastroBy PilastroLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage magazine or record holder in the style of Mathieu Mategot for Pilastro, Holland. Black painted steel rod frame with a white perforated steel top and wrapped handles.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands
MaterialsSteel
- “Lotus” Sofa/Daybed By Rob Parry For GelderlandBy Rob ParryLocated in Brooklyn, NYRob Parry was a Dutch furniture designer whose innovative creations left an indelible mark on the world of mid-century modern design. Born in 1925 in the Netherlands, Parry studied a...Category
Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsMetal
- Vintage Cyclone Side Table by Isamu Noguchi for KnollBy Isamu NoguchiLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage Cyclone side table by Isamu Noguchi for Knoll. Unpainted wood base with steel rod cyclone pedestal. White laminate top.Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Paul Mccobb For Bryce Originals Wall Mounted Vanity MirrorBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYPaul McCobb was an influential figure in mid-century American design, renowned for his timeless furniture creations and keen eye for functionality. Born in 1917 in Massachusetts, McC...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsEnamel, Steel
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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 Series" USA, 1950s Walnut, with original aluminum hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Group DresserBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYSpectacular rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, fi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Rosewood Thin Edge Group DresserBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYSpectacular rosewood Thin Edge collection model 5221 eight-drawer dresser, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Drawer fronts show off gorgeous figured rosewood selection, fi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsRosewood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Platform Bench with Four Drawer ChestBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Platform bench with four drawer chest. 4690 Platform bench 68" in lenght painted black bench. and 4701 Four rawer chest with wire pulls. The case, not connected, can be moved to desired position on bench. Case is the same depth as bench 18...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsOak
- Five-Drawer Ribbon Mahogany Tall Dresser by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Chicago, ILRibbon mahogany five-drawer dresser by George Nelson for Herman Miller. M-shaped aluminium pulls and hair pin aluminium legs. Top drawer is partitioned as is the third deeper drawer.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
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.