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 for George Nakashima Studio Double Chest of Drawers in Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima, chest of drawers, walnut, United States, 1967 With regard to its essential form, material use, and woodwork, this commode is testimony to Geo...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Large Chest of Drawers, Walnut, for Widdicomb, America 1960s
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in High Point, NC
A large walnut chest of drawers or dresser designed by George Nakashima. Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, A...
Bouclé, Walnut
George Nakashima black american walnut chest of drawers 1955
By George Nakashima
Located in Paris, IDF
This dresser crafted from American black walnut is a stunning testament to George Nakashima's craftsmanship. Created upon the request of a private client in 1955, the angular shapes ...
Walnut
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Long Dresser Credenza Cabinet Burl Sliding Doors
By John Widdicomb, George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
George Nakashima for widdicomb long dresser credenza cabinet burl sliding doors mint!
Walnut, Burl
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Chest of Drawers, C. 1950s
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Westport, CT
One of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings classics, designed for The Widdicomb Furniture Company, circa 1950-1950. This walnut chest of drawers or highboy features five large drawers providing a...
Nickel
$1,764
H 31.89 in W 38.98 in D 15.75 in
Cabinet Credenza Sideboard with Sliding Door by Ico Parisi for MiM, Italy 1960s
By MIM Roma
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning small sideboard with sliding doors in wood and aluminum designed by Ico Parisi and produced by MiM Roma in Italy during the 1960s. The sideboard is signed inside. In amazin...
Metal, Aluminum
$16,850
H 43 in W 51.5 in D 18.5 in
Two Sliding Door Dressers Chests Cabinets by T H Robsjohn-Gibbings and Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and fine pair of dressers / chests / storage cabinets designed by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for the John Widdicomb Company, 1950s. The mahogany cases have been expertly refinished ...
Brass
George III Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Antique George III Burr Walnut Chest of Drawers Item Code: S27-1114 A fine antique George III burr walnut chest of drawers, offering elegant proportions, rich figuring and a highly d...
Walnut
Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Mid Century Chinoiserie Credenza
By John Widdicomb, Mario Buatta
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Mid Century Chinoiserie Credenza This credenza measures: 48 wide x 17 deep x 32.5 inches high All pi...
Metal
On Hold|$1,895
H 27.75 in W 35.75 in D 17 in
Danish Modern Teak Chest of Drawers by Lyby Mobler, 1960s Design
By Lyby Mobler, Arne Vodder, Laurits M. Larsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A well crafted Danish Modern teak chest of drawers by Lyby Mobler, Denmark, circa 1960s. This refined cabinet exemplifies the understated sophistication of mid-century Scandinavian d...
Teak
$903Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 54.73 in D 23.23 in
20th Italian Chest of Drawers in Walnut with Original Gray Marble
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian chest of drawers in walnut with original gray marble, with three drawers that have Florentine paper inside. Natural color as per photos. The...
Marble
$3,500
H 29.75 in W 34 in D 18.5 in
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Chest of Drawers 1955 Maple
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning example of mid-century modern craftsmanship, this George Nelson three-drawer cabinet from the Basic Cabinet Series embodies timeless elegance. Designed in the 1950s, it sh...
Birch, Lacquer
$5,800
H 30.5 in W 71.75 in D 19.5 in
Arne Vodder Danish Modern Credenza with Reversible Black Doors - Refinished
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Danish Modern Credenza, designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast, Denmark, circa 1960s. This piece is currently being refinished and will look incredible when completed. The pr...
Metal
$6,000
H 40 in W 40 in D 19 in
George Nelson Walnut One-Door 5 Drawers Gentleman's High Chest Dresser Cabinet
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut George Nelson for Herman Miller Storage five drawers cabinet dresser gentleman's high chest.
Walnut
Brutalist Dresser Credenza by Heritage Henredon
By Heritage-Henredon
Located in New York, NY
Stylish dresser manufactured by Heritage Henredon in the Brutalist style. Oak case with brass handles, having two banks of drawers flanking a two-door ...
$25,000
H 32 in W 89.75 in D 22 in
George Nakashima Sculpted Walnut Dresser for Widdicomb, Newly Restored
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern monumental triple dresser, sideboard, or credenza By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1961...
Brass
Sold
H 31.89 in W 72.05 in D 20.08 in
George Nakashima, Double Chest of Drawers, American Black Walnut, 1955
By George Nakashima Studio, George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
GEORGE NAKASHIMA (1905-1990) Double Chest of Drawers Nakashima Studio, USA, 1955 American black walnut fitted with eight drawers 81cm high, 183cm wide, 51cm deep Accompanied by a di...
Walnut
Sold
H 37.8 in W 36.03 in D 18.9 in
George Nakashima, Five-Drawer Chest of Drawers, American Black Walnut, 1956
By George Nakashima Woodworkers, George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
American black walnut chest of five drawers executed by George Nakashima woodworkers in New Hope, Pennsylvania, together with a photocopy of the original invoice dated 1956 Literature: see Mira Nakashima, Nature, Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima, New York, 2003, p. 84 for a similar example George Nakashima produced some of the most original and influential furniture designs of the post-war era...
Walnut
Sold
H 32.25 in W 105.25 in D 22.5 in
George Nakashima 'Origins' Dresser or Sideboard for Widdicomb, c. 1960, Signed
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous 'Sundra' twelve drawer dresser by George Nakashima for Widdicomb, circa 1960, features beautiful Indian Laurel wood and dramatic large brass handles, which is a much more rare and sought-after variation of this design. Refinished and ready for immediate use. Signed in three places on this cabinet, 'Sundra' stamped underneath the solid wood top, Widdicomb label in one drawer, and "George Nakashima' stamped signature in one drawer. Incredible and rare option for design enthusiasts, and art and design investors and collectors but also ideal for interior designers looking to add some sophisticated refinement into an interior project. Nakashima designed the Origins Collection for Widdicomb in 1959 featuring rare woods such as Carpathian Elm, Indian Laurel wood, Walnut and Rosewood and was noted for the fine craftsmanship and attention to the natural beauty of the wood. Nakashima and Widdicomb described the collection as “a subtle elimination of straight lines; almost all pieces have edges that are beveled back ten degrees; many tops overhang substantially more than is usual; and upholstered pieces achieve a “forward thrust” due to the canting of the legs.” The only finish offered on the Indian Laurel wood in the collection was the Sundra finish, sanskrit for “thing of beauty,” a nod to Nakashima’s time in India. This gorgeous George Nakashima 'Sundra' chest of drawers or side board cabinet...
Brass
Sold
H 25 in W 15 in D 19.5 in
George Nakashima Cherry Nightstand or Pedestal Side Table with Sub Sap Streak
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
George Nakashima cherry nightstand or pedestal side table with sub sap streak on top and sides. The nightstand has three drawers and a toe base. All o...
Cherry, Walnut
George Nakashima Cherry Chest of Drawers
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
George Nakashima chest of drawers dtd. 1961 in cherry with sub sap detail. Authentication and original paperwork included.
Cherry
George Nakashima Cherry and Walnut Nightstands
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of George Nakashima cherry and walnut nightstands with subsap on top and sides. Each nightstand has two upper drawers and a lower opening, toe ...
Cherry, Walnut
George Nakashima Mid Century Four-Drawer Dovetailed Walnut Dresser
By George Nakashima
Located in Milford, NH
A splendid four-drawer dovetailed walnut dresser by mid century American furniture designer George Nakashima (1905-1990), with free-edge front and slee...
Walnut
George Nakashima "Origins" Tall Chest
By George Nakashima
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nakashima "Origins" tall chest for Widdicomb. Rare example with a figured burl door and drawers for every necescity rising on a splayed base, newly refinished and ready to install. Massive amounts of clothing storage...
Brass
George Nakashima Chest for Widdicomb, 1959
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
George Nakashima 12 - drawer dresser for Widdicomb, circa 1959. This piece has been professionally restored. Original patina to the brass hardware.
Brass
George Nakashima Pair of Chests in Black Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of chests, 1961, in American black walnut by George Nakashima. Accompanied by original digital receipt. Client name signed on back of each chest. "Slavin" pulls named after clie...
Walnut
Sold
H 53 in W 36 in D 19.75 in
George Nakashima Black Walnut Chest of Drawers with Dovetail Joinery, USA 1960s
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Outstanding execution and simplicity of design leaving the wood to speak for itself as Nakashima always strived for. The largest of what the Nakashima Studios describes as a "face dr...
Walnut
George Nakashima Chest for Widdicomb, circa 1955
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
George Nakashima 12 - drawer chest for Widdicomb, circa 1955. This piece has been professionally restored. Original patina to the brass hardware.
Brass