Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Action Office Architect's - Writing Desk
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Action Office Architect's - Writing Desk
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Depth: 65 in (165.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Oakville, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: TA-46991stDibs: LU82991487422
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.
- Bespoke Walnut Desk with Cast Iron Legs Industrial Modern Work Custom TableLocated in Oakville, CTBespoke Industrial modern work / office bespoke desk / table with 1 3/4" wooden walnut top, "Brown & Sharpe" Cast iron legs and steel s...Category
2010s American Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel, Iron
- Vintage Drafting Table / DeskLocated in Oakville, CTDrafting Table Overall Dimensions: 72" x 44 1/2" x 38" - 64 1/2" high Inner Drawer Dimensions: Larger - 36 1/2" x 25" x 2" Smaller - 25" x 10 1/2" x 3 3/4" Materials: Oak & PineCategory
Mid-20th Century American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak, Pine
- Bespoke Industrial Oak and Cast Iron Splay-Leg TableLocated in Oakville, CTBespoke cast iron, steel and oak splay-leg Industrial modern style desk, table / table base. Built and cast in the United States. Many wood species and finished are available for the...Category
2010s American Industrial Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Steel, Iron
- John Risley Lounge Chair Original Vintage Mid Century ModernLocated in Oakville, CTOriginal vintage mid-century modern rare John Risley wicker lounge chair. This lounge chair comes with arms and is in "as found" condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of End Tables Vintage Industrial X-Base Wood and Metal Mid-Century ModernLocated in Oakville, CTVintage Industrial X-base wood and metal end tables. Beautiful pair of Mid-Century Modern style side or end tables. In great condition with n...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Diner StoolsLocated in Oakville, CTVintage red counter stools Seat height: 29 1/2" Seat diameter: 11 1/2" Base diameter: 7 1/2".Category
Mid-20th Century American Stools
MaterialsSteel, Iron
$400 / set
- 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
- Mid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960sBy George NelsonLocated in Brussels, BEMid-Century Modern Action Office Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960sCategory
Vintage 1960s Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- Desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, Large VersionBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Bern, CHDesign classic desk Action Office 1, George Nelson, Herman Miller, large version. Offered is a rare original design classic rarity, the desk Action Office 1. Model 64 902. Designe...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Action Office Table or DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- 1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler productionBy George Nelson, Robert Propst, Herman MillerLocated in Renens, CH1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
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.