modular floor to ceiling CSS shelf unit Design George Nelson for Herman Miller
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 105.52 in (268 cm)Width: 68.51 in (174 cm)Depth: 27.96 in (71 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960-1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. slight loss if laquer on a few parts.
- Seller Location:Offenburg, DE
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6681236972512
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Neuerburg , Germany
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Early Herman Miller Coconut Chair Designed by George Nelson in 1956By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergEarly Herman Miller Coconut lounge chair. Manufactured ca. in 1960. Upholstery in brown fabric, coated shell from bent steel, chromed plated ste...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Set of 6 Herman Miller DAF Chairs Designed by George Nelson in 1958By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergBeautiful set of 6 Herman Miller DAF fiberglass chairs, designed by George Nelson. The DAF chair is perfectly suitable as a dining chair and due t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- postmodern Abracadabra Modular Shelf Design De Pas Lomazzi & D‘ UrbinoBy Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, ZerodisegnoLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergLarge Post-modern Abracadabra shelf unit, Laquered Aluminum construction with u-shaped glass shelves. designed by Italian architects De Pas, D‘Urbino & Lomazzi (Studio DDL) manufa...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Metal shelf Verspanntes Regal design Wolfgang Laubersheimer, Pentagon Group 1984By Wolfgang Laubersheimer, Pentagon GroupLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergOne Postmodern shelf „Verspanntes Regal“ designed by Wolfgang Laubersheimer for Pentagon Group in 1984. early edition of the 'Verspanntes Regal', therefore without makers bedge or ...Category
Vintage 1980s German Post-Modern Shelves
MaterialsSteel
- Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Chair Design Charles & Ray EamesBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Offenburg, Baden Wurthembergrare Herman Miller ES102 Intermediate Desk chair designed by Charles & Ray Eames Upholstery in blue Hopsack fabric, with chromed aluminium parts, equipped with...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Herman Miller DAT Executive armchair Designed by Charles & Ray EamesBy Herman Miller, Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Offenburg, Baden WurthembergHerman Miller DAT fibre plastic armchair on office base, Designed by Charles & Ray Eames in 1948. Off-white fibre plastic armshell, DAT shivel base equipped with tilt function, hei...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller CSS UnitBy George NelsonLocated in Palm Springs, CAThe George Nelson CSS Unit, is a stylish and functional addition to the renowned Herman Miller furniture collection. Designed by the visionary George Nelson, this CSS unit seamlessly combines form and function to elevate any modern workspace or living area. This unit was acquired out of a beautiful Palm Springs estate last year. We finally assembled it in our gallery. There is one additional shelve not pictured. Totally configurable. This unit is likely of mid 1980’s vintage based on the other pieces in the house. It will be disassembled for shipping and will require some installation upon delivery. This unit features the rare record holder and record player holder...Category
20th Century American Shelves
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller CSS UnitBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Lake Worth, FLVintage George Nelson Herman Miller CSS unit. This piece is designed to be used as a room divider or placed anywhere in the room. Unit includes 3 black tensio...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson CSS Book Shelf Wall Unit with Desk Herman Miller Circa 1955By George NelsonLocated in Emeryville, CAHerman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in various wood f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- George Nelson CSS Book Shelve System Circa 1960s for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Emeryville, CAHerman Miller introduced George Nelson’s Comprehensive Storage System (CSS) in 1959 and produced it until 1973. Available in various wood f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Rare 3 bay wall unit Georges Nelson CSS Shelf PalisanderBy George NelsonLocated in London, GBGeorges Nelson Css shelving unit in Palissander Inc 6 shelfs ( 3 wide 3 narrow) 1 desk, 1 glass cabinet, 1 double door Signed ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Shelves
MaterialsBamboo
- George Nelson for Herman Miller 3 Bay Omni System Mid Century Shelving Wall UnitBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Keego Harbor, MIAn Omni system wall unit by George Nelson for Herman Miller. A gorgeous mid century modern wall unit featuring sleek, brushed aluminum framing, and walnut ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWood
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.