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. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
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 1stDibs, 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.
Vintage MCM George Nelson 5476 Lounge Chair for Herman Miller Fuchsia Fabric
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage MCM (a.k.a.) Mid-Century Modern 5476 lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Comprised of a walnut frame and fuchsia...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair. George Nelson for Herman Miller Cube Arm Chairs Model 4774
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated, chic, voguish pair of lounge chairs designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller circa 1950s. The chairs feature solid maple frames with thick upholstered seats and bac...
Upholstery, Maple
Rare & Original George Nelson Steel Frame Lounge Chairs Pair Herman Miller 1950s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Super rare! George Nelson for Herman Miller steel frame chairs, model 5080 Easy Lounge Chairs. Original painted frames with solid wood arms. Orig...
Steel
$5,600 / set
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
Set of Six George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Dining Chairs
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson for Herman Miller teak and upholstered dining chairs. We also have the matching dining table, please inquire for details. All items ar...
Teak
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
$10,500 / set
H 34 in W 40 in D 33 in
Pair Early Coconut Chairs, Ottoman by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Restored.
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Fully and expertly restored pair of Coconut Chairs and single Ottoman designed by the George Nelson office in 1956 for Herman Miller. These are the never reproduced second generatio...
Steel, Chrome, Wrought Iron
$1,950
H 14.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
MCM Platform Slat Bench or Coffee Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
A true one-of-a-kind design! MCM platform slat bench or coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 2000s. The bench is in good condition with some knicks and dings due to...
Maple
Danish Pair of Classic Midcentury Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant pair of Danish lounge chairs made circa 1950. We love the elegant angles and rounded shapes of the chairs and tall slim legs making them just very timeless m...
Mohair, Beech
Pair of Classic Midcentury Danish 1950s Low Lounge Chairs
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic and very elegant pair of Danish lounge chairs made circa 1950. We love the elegant angles and rounded shapes of the chairs and tall slim legs making them just very timeless ...
Beech, Wool
$3,000Sale Price / set|21% Off
H 33 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Geiger for Herman Miller Leather Cube Chairs
By Geiger International, Herman Miller
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sleek pair of leather cube chairs by Geiger International for Herman Miller. Iconic cube chair design made famous by Harvey Probber with a modern seam around the sides and back fitte...
Leather, Hardwood
MCM Leather Perch Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern leather perch stool or chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Versatile chair with adjustable hand-stitched leather seat hav...
Aluminum, Steel
$4,196Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 32 in W 40 in D 36 in
George Nelson For Herman Miller First Generation Coconut Chair and Ottoman
By George Nelson
Located in Seattle, WA
The Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Unlike the later editions, the first generation has a...
Metal
$9,500 / set
H 31.25 in W 33 in D 29 in
Rare 1964 Rosewood Herman Miller Eames Lounge chair & Ottoman w/Original Receipt
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We were fortunate to acquire this rare 1964 Eames chair and Ottoman in black leather and Rosewood veneer. The label dates them to a specific year as the double ring round Herman Mill...
Leather, Rosewood
$5,595 / set
H 27 in W 29.25 in D 27.5 in
Pair Mid Century Modern Restored Lounge Chairs George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular and rare early pair of steel framed lounge chairs, #5080 by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Totally restored to their original glory. New cotton velvet upholstery with ...
Steel
George Nelson, Lounge Chair, Fabric, Wood, USA, 1940s
By George Nelson
Located in High Point, NC
A rare wood and orange fabric lounge chair, model 4688, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1940s. Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage fabric id...
Fabric, Wood
George Nelson Paddle Armchair for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful vintage, completely original, early version of this scarce chair, chrome in great order, original black Naugahyde upholstery, overall one to have!
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Coconut Chair in Alexander Girard Minicheck
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic coconut chair designed by George Nelson. A low-slung lounge profile with spacious seat for superior comfort. Triangular fiberglass shell rests on architectural brushed-steel t...
Fiberglass
George Nelson Paddle Armchair for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
A beautiful vintage, completely original, early version of this scarce chair, chrome in great order, original black Naugahyde upholstery, overall one to have!
Steel, Chrome
Sold
H 27.96 in W 29.93 in D 31.89 in
Pair of 'Loose Cushion' Chairs By George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pair of model 'Loose Cushion' arm chairs / model N° 5681 by George Nelson, originally drawn in 1955 and produced by Herman Miller from 1956 to 1967 executed with square legs.
Chrome, Steel
George Nelson Lounge Chair
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Francisco, CA
George Nelson design lounge chair for Herman Miller, perfectly restored.
Fabric, Wood
George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Nelson for Herman Miller, Lounge Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
George Nelson White Lacquer and Walnut Upholstered Armchair
By George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Early and rare George Nelson Associates designed #5080 steel framed armchair for Herman Miller. This example has been restored with white lacquered steel frame, walnut arms and a str...
Cotton, Upholstery