George Nelson Walnut Executive and Typewriter Desk Set
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950's
- Condition:Refinished. Refinished. Functions smoothly.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1560233828832
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- George Nelson For Herman Miller Walnut Nighstand End TableBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, model #4617, walnut nightstand or end table by George Nelson For Herman Miller features closed storage with signature, steel J pulls. Iconic, American, mid-centur...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Extension Coffee Table Model 4652By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Cut-Out Walnut DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, walnut desk has numerous outstanding features. The split-level floating top has a curved indentation, concealed segmented drawer and pull-out ledge for additional...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Cast Iron Fire StarterBy George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, cast iron, fire starter by George Nelson for Howard Miller.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Simmons Brushed Steel Sheraton Series Desk Vanity SetBy Simmons Company FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYEarly 20th century, Sheraton Series vanity or desk set by Simmons Company Furniture features an upholstered gray vinyl chair seat with gray d...Category
Early 20th Century American Sheraton Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side TablesBy Arbuck, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of elegant, tiered, wrought iron side tables by George Nelson For Arbuck feature travertine tops that lay within the frames and mesh bottom tiers at 14 inches height.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsTravertine, Wrought Iron
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Style Partners / Executive Desk, RosewoodBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Stamford, CTMid-Century Modern George Nelson Style Partners / Executive Desk, Rosewood/Walnut Fully Refinished. Fully refinshed American designer partners desk in a gorgeous walnut or rosewoo...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- 1960s Walnut and Leather Desk by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Glendale, CA1960s walnut and leather desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Executed in walnut with leather lift top (with key) covering center filing compartment, which illuminates and contai...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Writing Desk by George NelsonBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Sagaponack, NYA single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- 1950s George Nelson Swag Leg DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYOriginal Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller, 1960sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
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.