George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 54.5 in (138.43 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly Refinished. by Danish Modern LA´s Restoration Studio.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU971135675942
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- George Nelson Model-4758 Wall Clock for Howard MillerBy Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson Model-4758 wall clock for Howard Miller.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Birch & Brass Wall Clock for Howard MillerBy Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson Birch & Brass wall clock for Howard Miller.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- K. Rasmussen Leather and Teak Wingback Lounge Chair with OttomanBy Peter Wessel, K. RasmussenLocated in Los Angeles, CADimensions 40in H x 28in W x 29in D Seat height 15.5in Ottoman 15in H x 22.5in W x 17in D. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furni...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood
- Expertly Restored - Folke Ohlsson Teak Reclining Chair with Ottoman for DuxBy Folke Ohlsson, Dux of SwedenLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Foam, Teak
- John Keal Walnut Dresser with Metal Accent Pulls for Brown SaltmanBy John Keal, Brown SaltmanLocated in Los Angeles, CA________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum, Brass
- Arthur Umanoff Sculpted Walnut Side Table with Magazine Rack for Washington WoodBy Arthur Umanoff, Washington WoodcraftLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- 1960s Modern Vanity Set Dressing Table with MirrorBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chula Vista, CA1960s Modern vanity dressing table spacious cabinet with tall mirror. Walnut wood. Measures: 72.5 tall x 33 wide x 13.5 deep. Cabinet is 20.5 tall. Mirror 52 tall x 21 wide x 2.1...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Vanities
MaterialsWalnut, Mirror
- Midcentury Walnut Vanity with MirrorBy Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in Cincinnati, OHA midcentury walnut vanity with seven drawers one middle and three to each side well crafted in the manner of the Widdicomb furniture company. Having rounded drawer...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vanities
MaterialsWalnut
- Art Deco Illuminated Vanity Together Mirror with Stool Paramount Theater BostonLocated in Westport, CTArt Deco acid etched Illuminated Vanity with aluminum trim attached to Vanity with illuminated bottom column, original aluminum stool. From the women’s powder room Paramount Theater...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Vanities
MaterialsAluminum
- 1930s Italian Vanity Table with Mirror in WalnutLocated in Waalwijk, NLVanity table, walnut, mirrored glass, brass, Italy, 1930s Made in Italy, this vanity table is designed according to the Art Deco design principles that were in vogue in the thirties...Category
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Vanities
MaterialsBrass
- Vanity Table with MirrorBy CPRN HOMOODLocated in Milan, ITThis stylish vanity table with mirror is the perfect addition to your contemporary style bedroom decor. With its neutral beige coloring and ex...Category
2010s Italian Vanities
MaterialsMetal
- Art Deco Modern Vanity Dressing Table Round Mirror Leather & Walnut WoodLocated in Porto, PTClaire Dressing Table embraced an Art Deco style with curvy and opulent shapes. This eye-catchy modern dressing table owns the promise of enriching any master bedroom design project....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Vanities
MaterialsBrass
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.