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 Set of Four 'Conoid' Chairs in Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for Nakashima Studio, set of four 'Conoid' chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1962 This stunning set of four Conoid dining chairs are designed by woodwork mast...
Hickory, Walnut
$158,000 / set
Exceptionally Rare Set of Eight George Nakashima 'Grass-seated Chairs' in American Black Walnut
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima, set of eight 'Grass-seated Chairs', American black walnut, sea grass cord, United States, early 1960s Through its pure form, thoughtful use of materials, and exqui...
Seagrass, Walnut
George Nakashima Set of Six 'New' Dining Chairs in Walnut and Hickory
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, set of six ‘New’ dining chairs, walnut, hickory, United States, 1976 and 1977 With its sturdy form, thoughtful material choices, and re...
Hickory, Walnut
George Nakashima Mid Century Wooden Walnut Grass Straw Dining Office Chair 1960s
By George Nakashima
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and iconic mid century dining / office chair in walnut wood and grass seating by George Nakashima produced by his studio in United States, 1960s. In good overall and original co...
Seagrass, Walnut
$23,000 / set
Set of Four Captain Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful set of four American black Walnut 'Captain" chairs handcrafted by George Nakashima in his New Hope Studio in 1976. These chairs were designed with creative exposed joints...
Walnut
Set of Six George Nakashima Dining Chairs for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of six dining chairs by George Nakashima for Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Widdicomb, c.1960s. The walnut and hickory set consists of four side chairs and two armchairs. T...
Walnut, Hickory
Set of 6 Oiled Walnut Spindle Back Dining Chairs by George Nakashima
By George Nakashima
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of 6 Oiled Walnut Spindle Back Dining Chairs by George Nakashima
Walnut
1947 George Nakashima for Knoll N19 Straight Chair in Natural Birch
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous early George Nakashima for Knoll N19 birch straight chair, produced by Knoll Associates. This chair appears to be natural birch. It shows some wear from...
Birch
Straight Chair by George Nakashima for Knoll & Associates
By George Nakashima, Knoll
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early production straight chair with spindles and a shaped seat on four splayed, tapered dowel legs.
Hickory
$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 Herman Miller, George Nelson
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
Set of Four English Birch Tavern Chairs
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of four English birch tavern chairs. Lovely worn rounded seat back chairs with beautifully turned spindles and legs, and a fantastic patina only time...
Birch
$48,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 34 in D 34.5 in
George Nakashima Conoid Lounge Chairs, Walnut & Hickory, 1980s
By Sakura Seisakusho, George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
Experience timeless elegance with this beautiful pair of Conoid Lounge chairs by George Nakashima, crafted by the only authorized manufacturer of Nakashima furniture outside of the United States, Sakura Seisakusho in Takamatsu, Japan...
Upholstery, Hickory, Walnut
Set of Six Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of six dining chairs by Ole Wanscher. Executed by A. J. Iversen for Illums Bolighus. Rosewood and light colored leather.
Upholstery, Rosewood
Set of Four "California" Armchairs by Antonio Sibau
By Frank Lloyd Wright, A. Sibau
Located in Hanover, MA
Set of four dining armchairs in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright by A. Sibau produced in Manzano, Italy Made of beechwood with cherry fini...
Beech, Cherry
$3,715 / set
H 38.59 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Four Dining Chairs in Walnut in the Style of Scarpa, Italy 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Hellouw, NL
These dining chairs share great similarities with the designs of Afra and Tobia Scarpa and Mobil Girgi. This is a playful design that follows the rule of a dining chair. Meaning that...
Leather, Walnut
$3,680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33 in W 23 in D 21 in
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Set of Six Dining Chairs for Widdicomb, circa 1952
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Camden, ME
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings set of six walnut spindle back dining chairs for Widdicomb, circa 1952. The chairs are in excellent condition with original upholstery.
Walnut
Set of Six Mid-Century Tomlinson Dining Chairs, Walnut
By Tomlinson
Located in Trenton, NJ
This distinguished set of six dining chairs by Tomlinson Furniture Company of High Point, North Carolina represents the finest tradition of American mid-century modern furniture-maki...
Wood
$16,296 / set
H 30.71 in W 22.84 in D 24.02 in
Very Rare Set of Six Eton College Victorian Walnut Captains Chairs Carved EC
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and important suite of six original Victorian Walnut Eton College captains chairs each one carved with EC in the back rest A substantial find, I have never seen one of these let alone a suite of six, perfect for a gentleman’s club or the perfect height for luxury dining chairs In terms of the condition they are circa 1860, hand carved from solid slabs of walnut, they have traces of the original varnish which has worn away over the decades to reveal the glorious timber patina. They have various small repairs here and there as you would expect Dimensions Height 78cm, seat height 41cm Width 58cm Depth 61cm Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point Eton college has been attended by some important people over the years to include Hugh Laurie, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. ... Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex...
Walnut
Set of Six Rare Brass Dining Side Chairs
By Maison Baguès
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of rare design brass chairs. Low profile HEAVY brass dining chairs.
Brass
$2,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
Set of Four Mid-Century Milo Baughman Style Cantilever Chairs
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This gorgeous set of four vintage modern chairs feature a heavy cantilever chrome frame with padded armrests. A sleek design with an overstuffed seat and backrest ensuring optimal co...
Chrome
Set of Four Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Walnut Dining Chairs
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous set of four Adrian Pearsall sculptural walnut dining chairs. The set consists of two armchairs and two side chairs. They have been reupholstered in a wonderful period appropriate nubby woven fabric in a cool turquoise. We have many Adrian Pearsall table...
Upholstery, Walnut
George Nakashima Straight Chair for Knoll
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.” The de...
Walnut
George Nakashima Straight Back Chair for Knoll
By Knoll, George Nakashima
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and beautifully restored example of George Nakashima’s iconic Straight Chair, designed for Knoll in the late 1940s. This edition features the impressed Knoll label beneath the seat — a true collector’s hallmark. Handcrafted from solid walnut with a spindle back and minimalist Shaker influence, the chair exemplifies Nakashima’s dedication to natural materials and honest construction. Our restoration team preserved the integrity of the original design while sensitively refinishing the wood to reveal its organic grain and warmth. A timeless piece of American design history, the Nakashima Straight Chair bridges craft...
Walnut
Pair of George Nakashima Walnut Seagrass Seat Chairs
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair George Nakashima chairs, walnut wood with woven seagrass seats. Circa 1950s
Seagrass, Walnut
Midcentury Set of 6 Dining Chairs by George Nakashima
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., George Nakashima
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A rare set of 6 model 206-W dining chairs in walnut designed by George Nakashima dining chairs. 'Origins' line, for John Widdicomb Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, MI, 1950's. Black waln...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of Four George Nakashima Model 206 Dining Chairs for Widdicomb
By George Nakashima
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of four model 206 dining chairs designed by George Nakashima for Widdicomb. A matching fifth chair available separately.
Fabric
Sold
H 27.17 in W 18.12 in D 16.93 in
George Nakashima, Original Mira Chair, 1963, American Black Walnut (3 available)
By George Nakashima, George Nakashima Studio
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
George Nakashima (1905-1990), Four Mira Chairs, in American Black Walnut, produced in 1963 ** One now sold, three still available ** PLEASE NOTE, PRICE IS PER CHAIR Each chair with...
Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 22.5 in D 17.5 in
Set of Four George Nakashima "Straight Chair" Dining Chairs for Knoll Model N19
By George Nakashima
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
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.” The de...
Walnut
Set of Six New Chairs in Walnut by George Nakashima 1978
By George Nakashima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by master woodworker/artist George Nakashima. The New chair was debuted in 1956, this set, from 1978 includes two armchairs and four s...
Walnut
George Nakashima Early Set of 8 Walnut "Captain" Chairs, 1959
By George Nakashima
Located in Coronado, CA
It doesn't get much better than this--an early set of original and authentic George Nakashima "Captain" chairs hand-built by George in ...
Walnut
George Nakashima "Origins" Dining Chairs for Widdicomb, 1950s
By George Nakashima
Located in Coronado, CA
Rare and beautiful set of 6 George Nakashima "Origins" Dining chairs, model 206-W, produced by Widdicomb in the 1950s. Gorgeous solid walnut construction and dramatic form with taper...
Wool, Walnut
Sold
H 28.5 in W 24 in D 20 in
George Nakashima Studio Dining Set featuring Black Walnut Captain Chairs
By George Nakashima
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dining set from American midcentury craftsman George Nakashima. The set features four black walnut captains chairs and square live edge dining t...
Walnut
Pair of George Nakashima Hickory Straight Chairs for Knoll, 1940s
By George Nakashima
Located in Coronado, CA
A stunning and very early production pair of George Nakashima "Straight" chairs in solid birch, produced by Knoll in the late 1940s. Beautifully sculpted seats, tapered spindles, and...
Hickory