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.
Elusive Modernist Action Office Desk or Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rarely seen modernist action office desk or conference table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Purchased from prominent Buffalo NY architect. Beautiful figured walnut wood top mino...
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Circular White Laminate Lazy Susan Dining Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century circular dining table with a white laminate top featuring a central lazy susan circular section that rotates, resting on a white powder coated metal pedestal bas...
Metal
Prototype George Nelson Rosewood Round Dining or Conference Table, One of a Kind
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
This unique prototype table was designed by George Nelson and features a 1.5 inch thick Brazilian rosewood top made from lumber Nelson selected on a trip to Brasilia and meeting with...
Aluminum, Steel
$6,800Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 96 in
Contemporary Solid White Oak Dining or Conference Table
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dinners are our favorite. We love having them, hosting them, laughing around during them, cleaning up after them. This is what our dining table is and means to us. The solid white oak...
Wood, Oak
$680
H 22 in W 19.5 in D 19.5 in
Mid Century George Nelson Pedestal Side Table for Herman Miller Black Laminate
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Detroit, MI
This iconic Pedestal Design Table was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1954. This example is from 2003 and features a round black laminate top with an exposed maple ply...
Metal
Eames for Herman Miller Table Post Modern Look
By Ettore Sottsass, Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A post modern take on a classic design. Eames Aluminum group dining or conference table with an 80's take. Stunning cork laminate top with almond edge banding makes this table very d...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,437Sale Price|40% Off
H 27.88 in W 71.75 in D 42.75 in
Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller 6' Conference Dining Table
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in South Charleston, WV
71.75 x 41.75 x 27 7/8". Table was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the early 1960s for Herman Miller, This model produced 1980. Laminate combed oak top. Signed to underside. Fea...
Aluminum
George Nelson Herman Miller White Laminate Pedestal Dinette Mid Century Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A George Nelson for Herman Miller pedestal dinette table. A fantastic little table with a white laminate table top, a wooden table, and a white aluminum base with x-shaped legs. This...
Laminate
1 Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Table
By Charles Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
1 Herman Miller Eames 42" aluminum group table. Charles Eames was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1907. Ray Kaiser Eames was born in Sacramento, California ...
Aluminum
$5,800
H 28.75 in W 66 in D 32.5 in
Action Office Writing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Lockable hinged cov...
Metal, Aluminum
$2,471Sale Price|25% Off
H 29.25 in W 96 in D 42.5 in
Modern Oak Large Trestle Style Dining or Conference Table Bullnose Edges
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous modern oak veneer large trestle style dining or conference table with bullnose edge top and slab style legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. We have noticed a few minor nicks and dings on the top and along the edges. The top also has an overall raised grain texture. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. This is a TITANIC of a table!!! Lol… It’s super large!! It is comprised of gorgeous oak veneer with solid oak applied to both ends… kind of a modified trestle style dining table with slab legs, and beautiful bullnose edge on said top and legs. The added solid oak ends are separated from the veneered top by a narrow-blackened groove which sets this detail off nicely. It is absolutely stunning!! It is a colossal 96 inches long and seats eight comfortably, but you may fit ten if the chairs are a bit narrower or you straddle the legs. The legs are recessed 6.5 inches, so straddling is not a large obstacle. In addition, although the natural oak is beautiful, we can also see this being ebonized with a little black dye. Incredible!!! It will be fabulous in your dining room or as a lovely conference table at the office! It is modern in style, but it will host oodles of options of dining or office chairs! We have LOTS of chairs...
Oak
$8,000
H 28 in W 77.75 in D 46.75 in
Restored Vintage Florence Knoll Oval Top Rosewood Dining or Conference Table
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Restored Mid-Century Modern vintage Florence Knoll oval top dining table / conference or desk in rare book matched rosewood veneer on chrome star...
Chrome
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 48 in D 24 in
Robert Propst For Herman Miller Action Office Stand-Up Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
An Action Office desk designed by Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1968. This mid century modern classic is wall mounted (mounting brackets included) ...
Metal
$3,489
H 33.86 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
George Nelson by Herman Miller Laminated Aluminum Design 1950s Rare Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brescia, IT
Modernist Desk George Nelson by Hermann Miller 1950 Laminated wood, aluminum base Rare model.
Aluminum
$1,871Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.5 in W 71.5 in D 29.5 in
MCM Eames for Herman Miller Segmented Taupe Base Table Rectangular Top
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous Eames for Herman Miller segmented base table with taupe base and table edge, rectangular natural oak wood veneer top, and aluminum spi...
Aluminum, Steel
Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Table with wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1950s. Wear due to time and age of the table FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FOR RECEIVE ...
Metal
Large Table by Georges Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in bruxelles, BE
Wooden table with metal legs by George Nelson. Numbered on the leg. Wear due to time and age of the table.
Metal
Sold
H 28.25 in W 71 in D 35.5 in
George Nelson / Herman Miller White Laminate and Steel Rectangular Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century dining / conference table with a rectangular white laminate top resting having a light wood edge on two H-shaped tubular steel legs. (GEORGE NELSON / HERMAN MILL...
Metal, Steel
Sold
H 28.15 in W 72.05 in D 40.16 in
5559 Extendable Pedestal Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Izegem, VWV
The table can be adjusted to 3 lengths by 2 additional insert plates: 183 cm, 233,5 cm or 284 cm. The shelves are stored under the tabletop.
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Conference/Dining Table in Rosewood
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gorgeous and sharp George Nelson Brazilian rosewood table. Part of Nelson’s action office series for Herman Miller, this piece is suitable for a boardroom as a conference table or co...
Aluminum
Large George Nelson Extendable Swag Leg Dining Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Dronten, NL
A swag leg dining or conference table designed by George Nelson and manufactured by Herman Miller, USA, circa 1960. The black enameled aluminium swag leg base supports a white lamin...
Aluminum
Sold
H 28.15 in W 111.82 in D 40.16 in
George Nelson Pedestal Extension Table No. 5559 1, Edition for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
The table can be adjusted to 3 lengths by 2 additional insert plates: 1.83 m, 2.33 m or 2.84 m. cast aluminium legs - white powder-coated, white laminated table tops, the shelves a...
Laminate
Sold
H 29 in W 72 in D 40 in
Rosewood Rectangular Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller 2 Leaves
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Stunning Mid-Century Modern solid walnut base rosewood top dining table with 2 x 20" extension boards leafs. Has self storage leafs compartment. Designed by George Nelson for Herman ...
Rosewood, Walnut
1960s Walnut and Leather Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s walnut and leather desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Executed in walnut with leather lift top (with key) covering center filing compartment, which illuminates and contains two fitted drawers on a cantilevered brushed aluminum frame. Ships from Los Angeles.
Aluminum
George Nelson Dining/Work Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handsome and functional multipurpose table. Black enamel steel X-Base legs. White laminate top with inset black rubber bumper edge. With original Herman Miller sticker.
Metal
George Nelson Conference Table in Walnut for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a timeless early american modern design by the late great George Nelson for Herman Miller. Newly finished and lacquered, this piece is ready to use in any dining room or hip...
Stainless Steel
George Nelson X-Leg Dining Table
By George Nelson
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare and early George Nelson designed X-leg extension dining table with build in 18" disappearing pop up leaf system extending the size of the table from 60" to 78”. The table sits...
Metal