George Nelson for Herman Miller Highboy Dresser
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Highboy Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 46 in (116.84 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 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:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. age appropriate wear, edge dings, scratches, scuffs, veneer chipped, additional restoration may be desired.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 12141-7006JRc1stDibs: LU92185016443
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.
- 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
- 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 Rosewood Highboy DresserLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage highboy dresser offers plenty of storage in a minimal Mid-Century Modern design. Beautiful warm rosewood woodgrain surrounds the p...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy DresserLocated in Brooklyn, NYA beautiful vintage modern highboy dresser that features recessed drawer pulls, tapered legs, and a sleek Minimalist appearance. Please confirm item location (NY or NJ).Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy DresserLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis gorgeous vintage modern chest features six hefty drawers with unique metal pulls. Sturdy construction with elegant dark walnut wood grain adding to the midcentury appeal. This u...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- 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
- Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYGorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 Drawer Chest Dresser RestoredBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 drawer chest dresser restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Thin Edge Double Dresser, Chest, Santos Palisander, Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYGeorge Nelson thin edge double dresser, chest, Santos Palisander, Herman Miller. In 1944, Life magazine published an extensive article...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsPalisander
$9,713 Sale Price24% Off - George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest in Walnut with ShelvingBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a rare 3 drawer chest with shelving compartment. Walnut with cast metal pulls that we have painted black, with black lacquered angular legs. 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
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.