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 Walnut Credenza, Modern Design, United States, 1978
By George Nakashima
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990), American Walnut Credenza, 1978, with two pandanus cloth lined sliding doors opening to single shelf on four turned wood legs, with original dr...
Walnut
George Nakashima, Large Chest of Drawers, Walnut, for Widdicomb, America 1960s
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
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
Free Edge George Nakashima 2-Door Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early cabinet consisting of 2 sliding doors concealing 4 drawers and a shelf. George Nakshima sliding door cabinet Open shelf on 1 side, 4 drawers...
Walnut
Walnut Sideboard with Top Shelf by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
A two-piece custom sideboard pr credenza handcrafted by George Nakashima, circa 1969 in his new hope studio. It is constructed with American black walnut with solid oak interiors. Th...
Walnut, Oak
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
1954 George Nakashima Studio Triple Sliding Door Cabinet / Credenza Black Walnut
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous 1954 George Nakashima Studio triple sliding door cabinet /credenza in American black walnut. This is an early piece, representing a number of refined ea...
Walnut
$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 Sibast, Arne Vodder
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
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
$9,650 / item
H 30 in W 72 in D 18 in
Mae Solid Walnut Credenza, Console, Sideboard by Crump and Kwash
By Crump and Kwash
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Solid wood case / hand-turned legs / hand rubbed oil finish / solid brass pulls / premium, full extension, soft close drawer slides / solid wood, dovetailed drawer boxes Dimensions:...
Brass
$28,803 / item
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
Baron 4 Door Storage Cabinet — Patinated Brass — Made in Britain by NOVOCASTRIAN
By Richy Almond, Novocastrian
Located in Washington, GB
A four-doored sideboard in hand-patinated brass. Each door operates on push-to-open, soft-close hinges. Handcrafted in the North to order, this sideboard can be commissioned in besp...
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze, C...
$1,749
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 Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
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
Lane Mid Century Walnut Tuxedo Bow Tie Sideboard Credenza
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Mid century walnut tuxedo bow tie sideboard credenza This credenza measures: 66.25 wide x 18.25 deep x 30.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to ...
Brass
Arne Vodder for Sibast Danish Teak Tambour Door Stereo Cabinet
By Arne Vodder, Sibast
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking record and stereo console designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, Denmark, crafted in rich teak and bearing the original Sibast Furniture and Danish Furnituremakers Con...
Teak
Modern Credenza in Walnut by Laura Trenchard
By Craft Associates, Laura Trenchard
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Modern Credenza - 1607 - Craft Associates® Furniture is expertly crafted. The base is constructed by hand from hard wood and not machine. The walnut is then shaped by artisans and fi...
Walnut
$3,000 / item
H 30.25 in W 34.5 in D 18 in
Peabody Cane Front Credenza, Modern Walnut Credenza, Cane Front, Walnut, Craftas
By Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Peabody Cane Front Credenza, Modern Walnut Credenza, cane front, walnut, CraftAssociates Furniture This Lawrence Peabody modern cane front credenza in walnut for Craft Associates ...
Cane, Walnut
Mario Buatta for John Widdicomb Mid Century Chinoiserie Credenza
By Mario Buatta, John Widdicomb
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
$1,949
H 31.5 in W 60 in D 18.75 in
1950's Mid-Century Modern Knoll Style Walnut Sliding Door Credenza
By Florence Knoll, Herman Miller, George Nelson, Knoll
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage original Mid century Modern sliding door credenza for sale. It has two sliding doors that open up to an adjustable shelf on both sides, and is really well made. It's made of ...
Walnut, Formica
George Nakashima Triple-Door Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima triple sliding door cabinet, made in walnut, United States, 1963. Cabinet with three sliding doors and four drawers behind each door, executed in walnut with tradi...
Walnut
George Nakashima Sculpted East Indian Laurel Wood Sliding Door Credenza
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional mid-century Organic Modern sliding door sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By George Nakashima for Widdicomb Furniture, "Origins" Collection USA, 1960s...
Walnut
George Nakashima Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in New York, NY
Sliding Door Cabinet by George Nakashima. American black walnut, oak, brass. This cabinet features an overhanging top with a long free-edge. 3 sliding doors with 2 side compartments ...
Brass
George Nakashima Sliding Door Low Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Gorgeous George Nakashima cabinet features a single slab laurel top with one free edge above two doors concealing two adjustable shelves. Perfect low cabinet also could be a wonderfu...
Walnut
Hanging Wall Cabinet by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hanging wall cabinet by George Nakashima featuring a single board plank top with free-edge, elongated expressive detail atop case with three slidi...
Rosewood, Walnut
Sold
H 24.41 in W 83.86 in D 25.6 in
George Nakashima; Large Three Door Room Divider / Credenza, USA 1979, Signed
By George Nakashima
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima exceptional room divider or credenza, can function in either role as the cabinet is also finished on the back with solid timber. Constructed from Persian Walnut with...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 98 in D 22.5 in
George Nakashima for Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut 9 Drawer Lowboy Dresser
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nakashima for Widdicomb mid century walnut 9 drawer lowboy dresser This lowboy dresser measures: 98 wide x 22.5 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had ...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 84 in D 22 in
George Nakashima 'Sundra' Sideboard Credenza for Widdicomb, c. 1960, Signed
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous model-205 'Sundra' two-door sideboard / credenza by George Nakashima for Widdicomb, circa 1960, features beautiful Walnut, Indian Laurel and Carpathian Elm Burl. 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' side board cabinet...
Elm, Walnut, Burl
George Nakashima Model 205 Cabinet for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautifully restored walnut cabinet with sliding doors in figurative Carpathian Elm. Designed by George Nakashima as part of his Origins line for Widdicomb in 1959.
Walnut
George Nakashima Studio Credenza in Walnut, US 2021
By Mira Nakashima, George Nakashima
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nakashima Studio Credenza in walnut, US 2021 The credenza is made in black walnut and signed.
Wood, Walnut
Beautiful Midcentury Cabinet by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this gorgeous live edge cabinet in handcrafted American black walnut. Featuring two adjustable shelves on the left side and...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 84 in D 22.5 in
George Nakashima Sideboard Model 205 Walnut and Carpathian Elm Widdicomb, 1961
By George Nakashima, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Camden, ME
George Nakashima sideboard Model 205 manufactured in 1961 by the Widdicomb Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan as part of his Origins line of furniture produced between 1959-...
Walnut, Burl