Executive Desk by George Nelson
View Similar Items
Executive Desk by George Nelson
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 73 in (185.42 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Beverly Hills, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80804651423
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.
- Jacques Adnet DeskBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CARare and important desk by Jacques Adnet wrapped in black leather with signature saddle stitching and 3 drawers. Curved legs wrapped in leather with b...Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks
MaterialsLeather, Acrylic, Walnut
$25,000 Sale Price28% Off - Jacques Adnet Table/DeskBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAWonderful Jacques Adnet table which could also be used as a desk. Beautiful slatted wood top and signature caramel leather legs with contrast stitch detail New leather beautifully...Category
Vintage 1940s French Center Tables
MaterialsLeather, Oak
$42,000 - Gio Ponti Attributed DeskBy Gio PontiLocated in Beverly Hills, CARare Gio Ponti attributed desk - Italy, 1950s Gorgeous from every angle with floating top and drawers and angular scissor legs Constructed of oak wood and original black top In...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Desks
MaterialsOak, Laminate
$24,500 - Charles Dudouyt Desk & ChairBy Charles DudouytLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIncredible Charles Dudouyt desk and chair with signature corkscrew carved legs, checkerboard wood top and carved circular detailed sides. Great sma...Category
Vintage 1940s French Desks
MaterialsOak
$10,500 - 1950s Italian Writing DeskBy Gio PontiLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1950s Italian writing desk in the manner of Gio Ponti Wonderfully constructed of beechwood with original kelly green laminate top. Great hardware...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Desks
MaterialsLaminate, Beech
$6,000 Sale Price36% Off - Jacques Quinet DeskBy Jacques QuinetLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIncredible Jacques Quinet Executive desk, circa 1950s Rich caramel leather with contrast open stitching and fully swiveling drawers on both sides including a filing cabinet with lea...Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
$85,000
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
- 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 Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- George Nelson "Dry Erase" Desk with ReturnBy George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAFantastic desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly laminated Formica top with dry erase laminate. Very cool, dry/erase surface for your work desk. Extr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Early George Nelson Eog Executive Desk with Return for Herman Miller, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely stunning Mid-Century Modern desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The Executive Office Group, NO 8000 Series...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
- MMG Desk by George Nelson Associates, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in 성동구, KRThe MMG desk, which was produced for a short period of only 5 years, was designed with 22 parts in a modular form that can be combined according to the user's choice. It is often wr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
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.