Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.45 in (57 cm)Diameter: 22.84 in (58 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Rewoven. Refinished.
- Seller Location:MIlano, IT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4860228883912
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. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
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 1stDibs, 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 chairs, sofas, tables and other 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. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- Italian Mid-Century Modern Perforated Metal Outdoor Table by Emu, 1960sBy EMU FurnitureLocated in MIlano, ITPerforated metal outdoor table by Emu, 1960s Outdoor table in perforated metal painted in white. Made in the 1960s by Emu. Fair conditions, in ...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMetal
$306 Sale Price20% Off - Italian Mid-Century Modern Scacchi Table by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970sBy Mario Bellini, B&B ItaliaLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern Scacchi table by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, 1970s Modular coffee table with rectangular base in black duraplum. The structure of the table is in the for...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsPVC
$1,752 Sale Price20% Off - Italian Mid-Century Steel Coffee Table by L.C. Dominioni for Azucena, 1960sBy Azucena, Luigi Caccia DominioniLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century steel coffee table by L.C. Dominioni for Azucena, 1960s Chromed steel coffee table with steel structure, black metal leg and transparent glass top. Designed by L...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsChrome, Metal
- Italian mid-century modern Coffee table in glass and brass, 1960sLocated in MIlano, ITItalian mid-century modern Coffee table in glass and brass, 1960s Coffee table with geometric shaped glass top with cantilevered brass profile. The base on which the top rests is mad...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Mid Century Acca Coffee Table in wood by K.Takahama for Gavina, 1960sLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern wood and green glass coffee table with two floors mod. Acca, designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, 1960s Rectan...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Italian Mid-Century Coffee Table 751 by Ico and Luisa Parisi for Cassina, 1960sBy Cassina, Ico ParisiLocated in MIlano, ITItalian Mid-Century Modern coffee table 751 by Ico and Luisa Parisi for Cassina, 1960s Coffee table mod. 751 with asymmetrical wooden structure, co...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- White Pedestal Coffee Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA, 1960sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Vienna, ATThis iconic circular white 5452 pedestal coffee or side table was designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller, USA 1960s. It features a White laminate top and enameled steel...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
$997 Sale Price35% Off - Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson Style Coffee Cocktail Table BenchBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern Herman Miller George Nelson slat style brass and ebony coffee table or slat bench. Clean and sweet side or coffee cocktail table with a slat top and Formica side serving side. Part of our enormous collection of custom black and white lacquered home furnishings...Category
Vintage 1960s Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Style Pedestal End Table by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- George Nelson Coffee Table in White by Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is George Nelson's signature end table, characterized by clean lines and practicality. The metal base pedestal looks almost organic as it rise...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsAluminum
$1,500 / item - George Nelson for Herman Miller Extension Coffee Table Model 4652By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, model 4652, Primavera coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller pulls out on each end as an extension of surface or to reveal two stored removable trays 21 x 16 inches with white formica tops. The table top is natural white mahogany...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsFormica, Mahogany
- George Nelson Model 4652 Extension Coffee Table by Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThis early George Nelson design features two extensions with reversible and removable tray tables. Closed, it is a modestly scaled table. Opened the surface nearly doubles, and the t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Formica
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.