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.
$4,997
H 110.24 in W 65.36 in D 13.39 in
High modular Wall Unit with Dry Bar in Wood, Metal and Brass, Italy, 1960's
Located in Uithoorn, NL
Rare 1950s–60s Italian modular wall system in wood with black lacquered steel uprights and refined brass detailing, featuring an integrated drop-front cabinet. This elegant wall-mou...
Metal, Brass
$11,000
H 78.94 in W 95.48 in D 11.62 in
Large Feal Italian Wall Unit in Anodized Aluminum and Mahogany
By Feal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Feal (Fonderie Elettriche Alluminio e Lega), model ‘S2’ wall unit, mahogany, anodized aluminum, Italy, 1950s Both aesthetics and functionality comes into play in this streamlined b...
Aluminum
$6,424
H 102.37 in W 78.75 in D 12.6 in
Italian Mid-Century Suspended Wall Unit Boockase in Walnut and Gilded Metal 1960
Located in Traversetolo, IT
An eye-catching mid-century Italian wall unit or bookcase made from gilded metal and walnut shelves that can be adapted to any setting due to its lightness and refinement. The bookcase is composed of N.5 track supports, N.16 shelves brackets, N.4 shelves length 60 cm,n.4 walnut shelves length 110 cm. Its originality lies in its ability to be assembled according to your needs (both in terms of length and shelving arrangement), even if you want you can get two divided wall units, a module with two supports and another with three supports. During the restoration, it was decided to remove the old screw holes on the shelves in order to have more options...
Metal
$18,500
H 95.5 in W 129.25 in D 18.5 in
Comprehensive Storage System by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dallas, TX
Early production 'CSS" - Comprehensive Storage System designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1959. This system is in excellent condition with the early Herman Miller lable cons...
Aluminum
Roomdivider in Teak and Brass by Louis Van Teeffelen
Located in Brussels, BE
Room divider shelving system by Louis Van Teeffelen from Netherlands. Commonly seen as an independent Wall unit shelving system, this rare one is fully equipped and in very good co...
Brass
1960s Mid-Century Modern Wooden Bookcase with Brass Details
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Modular Mid-Century bookcase with wooden structure and gilded brass details. This elegant piece offers versatile storage with four shelves, a central cabinet, four drawers, and two f...
Wood
$9,950 / set
H 91.5 in W 97.5 in D 18 in
Magnificent George Nelson 3 Bay Walnut Omni Wall Unit Mid Century Modern
By George Nelson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Classic George Nelson “Omni” modular wall unit is a mid-century American classic, manufactured by Herman Miller. This stylish and useful wall unit is modular and can be configured to best suit space and user. It includes 4 vertical poles with anodized aluminum and walnut finish and 4 adjustable feet. Shelves and case pieces included are 3 shelves, a 2 drawer file...
Aluminum
$1,669Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 105.91 in D 11.42 in
Mid-Century Modern, 1960 Retro Large Teak / Metal Tomado Shelving library system
By Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
An exceptionally large and rare modular ladder shelving system comprising 5 ladders and 9 shelves — This impressive mid-century shelving unit is in ver good vintage condition, . Des...
Metal
$11,500
H 99 in W 97.625 in D 18.5 in
Early George Nelson OMNI Three-Bay Modular Walnut Wall Unit, Structural Products
By George Nelson, Structural Products Inc.
Located in Detroit, MI
This exceptional early-production vintage mid-century modern three-bay OMNI modular wall unit shelving system was manufactured by Structural Products, Inc. circa 1961. Designed by Ge...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel
$148
H 4.73 in W 32.29 in D 8.27 in
Shelf With Suspension Model Excellent In Rosewood By Albert Hansen From 1960s
By Albert Hansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Shelf in rosewood with black lacquered metal suspension, designed by Albert Hansen as part of the Model Excellent series from the 1960s. The distinctive grain patterns and fine propo...
Rosewood
Poul Hundevad Danish Teak Bookcase with Hairpin Legs, Denmark, 1960s
By Bernhard Pedersen & Son, Poul Hundevad, Arne Vodder, Erik Brouer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking teak bookcase by Poul Hundevad, produced in Denmark during the 1960s. This piece began life as the hutch top of a larger credenza and hutch set; we've separated it from it...
Metal
Lighted Custom Made Modern Cherry Buffet Dry Bar With Wine Rack and Bar Cart
By Brown Saltman, Jens Risom, Foster-McDavid, Arne Vodder
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Please believe me when I say pictures don't this piece justice. The cherry wood shimmers and gleams with an almost indescribable Iridescence that looks like rivers of honey that form the ebbing and flowing grain. The tones and hues of the piece change depending on how the light hits it and where your eye catches it. You'll see amber, ochre, honey, and umber. We purchased this cabinet from the son of the original owners who had it custom made in the 1970's. Although it looks similar to the works to Jens Risom, Arne Vodder, and Brown-Saltman, this is a custom, made 1 of 1 credenza. There are many unique aspects to this piece that seem inspired by many designers of the period. A large cherry door on the left conceals open cabinet space with removable / adjustable shelves. The right has a faux-door panel that is made to resemble the one on the left. However, this faux-door is actually the front panel to a roll-out bar cart. This handsome server sports two drop-leaves that double its counter space. This mini buffet...
Mahogany
Danish Modern Teak Display Console by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1950s
By Johannes Andersen, Ib Kofod-Larsen, Brande Møbelfabrik, Bernhard Pedersen & Son
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Attributed to Ib Kofod-Larsen for Brande Møbelfabrik, this exceptional Danish Modern teak display console embodies the refined architectural sensibility that defined Scandinavian des...
Stainless Steel
Post Modern John Stuart Chrome Accent Cane Front Gentlemens Dresser Armoire
By Founders Furniture Company, John Stuart Inc., Jack Cartwright
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking example of post-modern design by John Stuart, this gentlemen’s chest marries gracious scale with finely considered detail. Crafted in honey-toned oak, the chest features...
Chrome
Borge Mogensen for Karl Andersson & Soner Teak Cane Front Cabinet
By Svend Aage Larsen, Børge Mogensen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Extraordinarily unique teak cabinet Borge Mogensen teak cabinet. The warm, golden wheat colored caning makes this Borge Mogensen cabinet particularly special. The woven cane adds a s...
Metal
Greenington Magnolia Dressers in Solid Moso Bamboo, Scandinavian Style
By Melvin Mikkelsen Mobler
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pre-owned Greenington Magnolia dresser. Each of 8 drawers feature contemporary styling, clean lines and beautiful tiger bamboo accent. Crafted in 100% solid Moso bamboo, no particle...
Hardwood
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.
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.
