George Nelson Walnut Nightstands for Herman Miller, USA, 1950s
View Similar Items
George Nelson Walnut Nightstands for Herman Miller, USA, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU804814987942
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.
- American Studio Crafts Movement Walnut Two-Drawer Stand, USA 1960sLocated in New York, NYThis piece although unidentified shows signs of the great makers of the period. Unable to determine if it is by the likes of Wendell Castle, Sam Maloof or Wharton Esherick it clearly...Category
Vintage 1960s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Hand-Carved Walnut Sculpture of Dancers by John Begg, USA, 1950sLocated in New York, NYA wonderfully hand-carved block sculpture of a couple dancing. The sculpture is reminiscent of folk carving and WPA styles.Category
Vintage 1950s American Sculptures
MaterialsWalnut
- Two-Tiered Occasional Table by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons.By Gio PontiLocated in New York, NYOccasional Two-Tiered table by Gio Ponti for Singer & Sons, made in Italy, 1950's. Beautifully refinished in a rich medium brown walnut.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsMahogany
- Painting by Laura Elston Glenn '1880-1952', USA, 1950sBy Laura Elston GlennLocated in New York, NYBorn in Woodland, CA on April 6, 1880. Glenn was educated at USC and UCLA. She then taught for many years in the public schools of Pasadena. Member: Pacific AA; Southern Calif. Art T...Category
Vintage 1950s American Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Paint
- Carl Harry Stalhane Stoneware Vase for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950sBy Carl-Harry StålhaneLocated in New York, NYA lovely vase with a wonderful form and glaze.Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsStoneware
- Stoneware Vase by Eva Staehr Nielsen for Saxbo, Denmark, 1950sBy Eva Stæhr NielsenLocated in New York, NYStoneware vase with pale brown glaze and impressed diagonal lines to body. Impressed "108", "Saxbo Denmark" Incised "E. St. N".Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vases
MaterialsStoneware
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of Drawers, 1950sBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern five-drawer dresser chest By George Nelson for Herman Miller, "Basic Cabinet Series" USA, 1950s Walnut, with original aluminum hardware. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a 4 drawer chest in walnut with cast metal pulls, black lacquered angular legs and cast aluminum finger pulls. Top drawer has removable dividers. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Chest in Walnut with ShelvingBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a rare 3 drawer chest with shelving compartment. Walnut with cast metal pulls that we have painted black, with black lacquered angular legs. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-Century George Nelson for Herman Miller DresserBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYDresser by George Nelson, circa 1950. This stunning piece boasts ebonized drawer fronts, maple casings, and unique circular pulls. A sleek mid-century design that makes the perfect a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller Bureau /CabinetsBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Westport, CTPair of George Nelson for Herman Miller bureau cabinet storage units, polished handles light colored birch with and black feet.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in BROOKLYN, NYGorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
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.