George Nelson Desk w/ Return for Herman Miller from a Historic Landmark
View Similar Items
George Nelson Desk w/ Return for Herman Miller from a Historic Landmark
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1954
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. The desk and return have been restored , the legs are in original condition with some patina from age .
- Seller Location:Cincinnati, OH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU925124406152
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.
- George Nelson Prototype DAF Chair for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHAn early per production prototype fiberglass arm shell or DAF chair designed by George Nelson. This chair came directly from a engineer working for the Herma...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA simple and elegant pedestal side table with round top having a natural thin wood trim detail to the edge and cast meat star base . The base with foot pads to protect your floors ha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Chest / Dresser Cabinet for Herman Miller # 4935By George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA very well crafted dresser chest or cabinet standing on shorter legs in a dark ebony finish with side door having two adjustable shelves . The other side has five drawers , all with...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Rare Early George Nelson Bench / Coffee Table for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA early and rare Nelson coffee table / bench with white rectangle Laminate top having black legs typical of the Nelson slat bench coffee table. This table was not produced in large n...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson Nightstands with Pull Out Tables for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA pair of dark ebony toned Mid Century nightstands with pull out bedside table and upper and lower bookcase styled storage . A early designed by George ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson 5 Drawer Dresser with Sculptural Pulls by Herman Miller #4610By George NelsonLocated in Cincinnati, OHA dark brownish ebony finished five drawer dresser with brushed stainless sculptural pulls . The top and middle drawers contain dividers and plenty of ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Buffalo, NYEarly George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Berlin, DEGeorge Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960s The Top has a very floating appearance.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Home Desk for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Hudson, NYWalnut with original custom white leather writing surface and sliding floating doors, small drawers in maple. Storage and drop down typing table with original perforated aluminum fil...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
Unavailable$13,500 - George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Action Office 1' DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAEarly George Nelson Action Office 1 desk in original condition with minor wear. George Nelson for Herman Miller, polished aluminum, plastic laminate, w...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Home Office Desk Model 4658 for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXGeorge Nelson & Associates Home Office desk, model 4658 Manufactured by Herman Miller USA, 1946 This example is constructed of combed oak, chrome-plated...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
$9,000 Sale Price28% Off - George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Table or DeskBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Skokie, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Vintage Action Office Table or Desk The Action Office desk or conference table was designed by American designer and architect George Nelson (1908-1986) for Herman Miller. A substantial piece, It features a beautifully grained walnut top mounted on a streamlined, polished stainless steel base. The desk top edge is trimmed in black rubber. to protect it against bumps and bruises. Two small desk drawers slide out from beneath the table top. The drawers can be removed if desired. The desk top has been recently restored and is in excellent condition. Action Office was originally designed as a set of components that could be combined in multiple ways and changed as needed to evolve with the office over time. George Nelson was one of the founders of American Modernism. From 1946 until 1972, Nelson was director of design at Herman Miller. While there, Nelson introduced several important innovations in office furniture design, such as the Swagged Leg Group, which included the DAF and MAA chairs...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsStainless Steel
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.