A master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture movement. Along with Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof and Wendell Castle, Nakashima was an artisan who disdained industrial methods and materials in favor of a personal, craft-based approach to the design of chairs, coffee tables and other pieces. What sets Nakashima apart is the poetic style of his work, his reverence for wood and the belief that his furniture could evince — as he put it in the title of his 1981 memoir — The Soul of a Tree.
Born in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese immigrants, Nakashima traveled widely after college, working and studying in Paris, Japan and India, and at every stop he absorbed both modernist and traditional design influences.
The turning point in Nakashima’s career development came in the United States in 1942, when he was placed in an internment camp for Asian-Americans in Idaho. There, Nakashima met a master woodcarver who tutored him in Japanese crafting techniques. A former employer won Nakashima’s release and brought him to bucolic New Hope, Pennsylvania, where Nakashima set up a studio and worked for the rest of his life. (Master craftsperson Mira Nakashima keeps her father’s legacy alive at the George Nakashima Studio in New Hope today. She has been the artistic director of George Nakashima Woodworkers since her father's death, in 1990.)
Nakashima’s singular aesthetic is best captured in his custom-made tables and benches — pieces that show off the grain, burls and whorls in a plank of wood. He left the “free edge,” or natural contour, of the slab un-planed, and reinforced fissures in the wood with “butterfly” joints.
Almost all Nakashima seating pieces have smooth, milled edges. Nakashima also contracted with large-scale manufacturers to produce carefully supervised editions of his designs. Knoll has offered his Straight chair — a modern take on the spindle-backed Windsor chair — since 1946; the now-defunct firm Widdicomb-Mueller, the result of a merger between Widdicomb and Mueller Furniture, issued the Shaker-inspired Origins collection in the 1950s.
Nelson Rockefeller in 1973 gave Nakashima his single largest commission: a 200-piece suite for his suburban New York estate. Today, Nakashima furniture is collected by both the staid and the fashionable: his work sits in the collections of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution, as well as in the homes of Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, Diane von Furstenberg and the late Steve Jobs.
Find vintage George Nakashima furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nakashima Slab-Arm Rocker
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fine example of this form. The family requested an extra wide slab -arm. Signed with the clients name.
Wood
George Nakashima Walnut Rocking Chair, Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1962
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) American Walnut New Rocking Chair, 1962, with spindle back. 35.75" H x 24.5" W x 30" D; seat: 16" H. Provenance: Purchased from the artist. F...
Walnut
$3,000
H 30 in W 22 in D 19.5 in
George Nakashima N19 Side Chair for Knoll, Walnut, Mid-Century Modern
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by master craftsman George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946, the N19 chair was intended as a mass-produced counterpoint to the Nakashima Studio’s popular “Straight Chair...
Walnut
Restored Rare Snake Arm Rattan Rocking Child Chair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A rare Paul Frankl inspired one-strand snake arm childrens size rattan rocking chair with stick rattan seat. Professionally restored to original specificat...
Wicker, Rattan
$2,950
H 29.25 in W 16 in D 17.5 in
George Nakashima Studio Straight Back Chair Mid Century American Craft
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Original "Straight Back" Model Chair, made by George Nakashima Studio, American, circa 1961. The chair features a multi-plank seat. Signed with client name to underside ‘Gelf...
Hickory, Walnut
$35,000
H 12 in W 19 in D 108 in
Monumental George Nakashima Disciple American Black Walnut 9 Foot "Slab" Bench
By George Nakashima
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A rare and impressive "Slab" form bench by the master of the American Studio Furniture movement, George Nakashima. This piece features a massive, single-slab top of American Black Wa...
Walnut
$1,380
H 31.9 in W 29.9 in D 29 in
Seldom seen George Mulhauser for Plycraft Mid Century Modern Rocker
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Buffalo, NY
Seldom seen George Mulhauser for Plycraft Mid Century Modern Rocker..Classic Mid Century Modern Design.. Nice original condition... Extremely comfortable.. fit seamlessly with any mo...
Metal
$2,000
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 17.75 in
C. 1947 George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chair in Light Wood
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an N19 Straight Chair, originally designed by George Nakashima for Knoll in 1946. This particular example was produced in the United States circa 1947. This early straight ch...
Wood
19Thc Child's Walnut Rocker
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Walnut child's rocking chair upholstered in a suede leather.The condition is very good and sturdy.
Leather, Wood
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Oak Rocking Chair Denmark
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Timeless design rocking chair with great seating comfort. In good original condition. Keywords: Sustainable, pure, solid, calm, nature, art, natural, wood, oak, Wabi Sabi, perf...
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The unique Danish modern design of this midcentury rocking chair makes a striking addition to home or business seating area. Sculptural spoke seat back adds to the distinctive Scandi...
Walnut
$3,495
H 29.25 in W 26 in D 31 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak Model 120 Rocker Ole Wanscher France & Son John Stuart
By Ole Wanscher, John Stuart Inc., France & Søn
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Scandinavian Modern teak rocker model 120 designed by Ole Wanscher for France & Son and sold by John Stuart Co. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use & wear. The sprung cushions will need new padding & the original brown nubby fabric has no rips or holes but has faded and will need reupholstered, it has been priced accordingly. Has a couple of repairs where the screws were put all the way through leg assembly at some point in their lives. We have repaired & replaced hardware to match. One hole was plugged, and the plug is still slightly visible. It has been sanded, stained & a teak oil finish. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950s-1960’s. Let’s Rock… Everybody, Let’s Rock! Everybody in the whole cell block… Oh ya, you’re singing it!! Nothing like a song from the late King of Rock to introduce this Awesome vintage Rocker!!! We have a wonderful Scandinavian Modern rocker Model 120 made by France & Son, for John Stuart Co & designed by Ole Wanscher!! It wears its original brown nubby fabric and as you would expect with age and wear, it has faded, there are no holes or rips, it just looks its fabulous age. Also, its wonderful sprung cushions will need some new padding. The springs are great, just the padding. With just a bit of TLC this vintage beauty will be your new favorite Scandinavian Modern piece!! It has a gorgeous teak frame and will look marvelous rocking in your living room, bedroom, or sitting room. Maybe you have a young child or a new baby? There’s no better place to cuddle your precious child and there are tons of location possibilities with this beauty! Get ready to sit back, relax, and rock!! British businessmen Charles France and his Danish partner...
Fabric, Teak
$4,550
H 27.96 in W 20.48 in D 19.3 in
George Nakashima Grass-seated Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By George Nakashima
Located in Zürich, CH
Here we see the principle of the Japanese wabi-sabi, which refers to embracing imperfections and underlining impermanence. Rustic aspects, simplicity, modesty, and austerity offer a ...
Grasscloth, Mahogany
$6,600 / item
H 31 in W 29.75 in D 36.25 in
Umber Rocker Modern Low Rocking Chair in Walnut with Crafted Arm Detail
By Tréology
Located in Papanui, Christchurch
The Umber Rocker is the Rocking chair version of our iconic Umber Chair. The Umber Rocker is a comfortable modern walnut rocking armchair with a crafted arm detail. Designed to sit comfortably in its own space, the Umber Rocker offers a low, laid-back sitting position for relaxed enjoyment. Perfect as a wooden easy chair...
Walnut
Sold
H 36.5 in W 25 in D 29 in
Vintage George Nakashima Solid Walnut New Lounge Chair Rocker with Arms
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in San Jose, CA
New lounge rocking chair with arms in solid walnut by George Nakashima circa 1966. This piece features signature detailed joinery and displays well from all angles. Signed on the und...
Walnut
Sold
H 36 in W 24.75 in D 29 in
George Nakashima New Chair Rocker in American Black Walnut and Hickory Signed
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage George Nakashima "New Chair" rocking chair. Commissioned by an important private texas collector. Signed with the client's name & Ge...
Hickory, Mahogany
George Nakashima Rocking Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Seattle, WA
Rocker in walnut with hickory spindles and sculpted arms by George Nakashima, circa 1994. Signature on the bottom of the chair. A Washington State native, master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Rocking Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Seattle, WA
A pair of rocker in walnut with hickory spindles and sculpted arms by George Nakashima, circa 1970s. Client name marked on underside. A Washington State native, master woodworker and M.I.T.-trained architect, George Nakashima was the leading light of the American Studio furniture movement...
Hickory, Walnut
Iconic Signed Mixed Wood Nakashima Studio Lounge Rocking Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Hopewell, NJ
One of Nakashima's most iconic enduring designs, this mixed wood sleek organic modern lounge rocker is a two-tone mix of walnut and poplar. The arms are single pieces of incredibly b...
Poplar, Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut and Poplar "New Chair" Rocker, USA, 1978
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
An fine example of one of George Nakashima's iconic designs. It's elegant simplicity has made this rocker one of his most enduring designs.
Poplar, Walnut
George Nakashima Walnut and Poplar "New Chair" Rocker, USA 1961
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
An early example of one of George Nakashima's iconic designs. It's elegant simplicity has made this rocker one of his most enduring designs.
Poplar, Walnut
George Nakashima Rocker Stamped Studio
By George Nakashima
Located in Westport, CT
George Nakashima rocker all original, purchased from the studio and Stamped under seat, with letter purchased directly from Nakashima.
Walnut
George Nakashima Rocking Armchair, 1960s
By George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima, new hope Pa. Rocking armchair in English walnut with hickory spindles. Signed under the seat with clients name.
George Nakashima Single Board Rocking Armchair
By George Nakashima
Located in Amarillo, TX
George Nakashima rocking armchair with single board seat New Hope, Pennsylvania USA, 1990 American black walnut, hickory Measures: 35 H x 26.5 ...
Hickory, Walnut
Pair of Rocking Chairs by George Nakashima, 1975
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of walnut rocking chairs that have always lived together. Made by George Nakashima in 1975. Sold with copy of the original receipt. Priced and sold individually.
George Nakashima Rocking Chair
By George Nakashima
Located in Amarillo, TX
Rocking chair by George Nakashima. USA, circa 1960. Persian walnut, hickory. Measures: 85.1 x 59.1 x 74.3 cm.
Hickory, Walnut