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Peter Protzman Zebra Wood Desk for Herman Miller

$3,400List Price

Herman Miller

No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest chairs, sofas, tables and other furniture ever.

Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.

Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms.

Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.

Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Magnificent Peter Protzman Zebra Wood Chrome Desk Mid Century Modern

$8,400Sale Price|20% Off

H 30.5 in W 65 in D 33 in

Magnificent Peter Protzman Zebra Wood Chrome Desk Mid Century Modern

By Peter Protzmann

Located in Pemberton, NJ

This iconic desk, designed by Peter Protzman for Herman Miller, was only manufactured for two years from 1970-1971. Making it a rare, limited production item. The smooth, curved edge...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Chrome

Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller

$3,200

H 26.5 in W 34.5 in D 16 in

Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child's Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Buffalo, NY

Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

American mid-century modern wood laminate desk George Nelson Herman Miller 1960s

$4,709

H 34.65 in W 38.98 in D 28.55 in

American mid-century modern wood laminate desk George Nelson Herman Miller 1960s

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in MIlano, IT

American mid-century modern wood laminate desk George Nelson Herman Miller 1960s Desk or writing desk in wood and metal. The top is in white laminate, with a smaller upper top suppor...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Metal

Important Mid Century Executive Desk by Ico Parisi for MIM 1958

$13,193Sale Price|20% Off

H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 36.62 in

Important Mid Century Executive Desk by Ico Parisi for MIM 1958

By Ico Parisi

Located in Rome, IT

This large Terni executive desk was designed by Ico Parisi in 1958 for MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni) Rome, Italy, with a rectangular tabletop, The desk contains a three drawer block ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Wood

Important Mid Century Executive Desk by Ico Parisi for MIM 1958

$16,492

H 28.75 in W 82.68 in D 36.62 in

Important Mid Century Executive Desk by Ico Parisi for MIM 1958

By Ico Parisi

Located in Rome, IT

This large Terni executive desk was designed by Ico Parisi in 1958 for MIM (Mobili Italiani Moderni) Rome, Italy, with a rectangular tabletop, The desk contains a three drawer block ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables

Materials

Wood

Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished

$3,325Sale Price|39% Off

H 30 in W 39.5 in D 28 in

Italian Mid-Century Modern Desk, Style of Gio Ponti, c 1950s, Refinished

By Gio Ponti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern desk produced in Italy circa 1950s. Featuring black steel and wood frame with large brass elements and alternating black and white drawer fr...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Zone Desk by Hermhaus, Oak Root Wood, Mid-Century Modern

$15,207

H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 29.53 in

Zone Desk by Hermhaus, Oak Root Wood, Mid-Century Modern

By hermhaus

Located in istanbul, TR

The Zone Desk by Hermhaus is a contemporary work desk defined by its simple yet powerful lines, designed to prioritize both functionality and visual clarity. With its strong architec...

Category

2010s Turkish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950

$49,400

H 27.96 in W 51.59 in D 27.76 in

Mid-Century Modern Desk by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1950

By Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler

Located in New York, NY

A desk designed by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler and produced by Móveis Artesanal in the 1950s. The piece has a top in pau-marfim wood supported on iron feet, two drawers on the l...

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Iron

Writing Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller

$11,500

H 29.5 in W 60 in D 40 in

Writing Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller

By George Nelson, Herman Miller

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A single pedestal writing desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller with a built-in pivoting lamp. Lamp is 18" H.

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Hilleplan Desk by Robin Day

$2,411

H 30 in W 60 in D 27 in

Vintage Hilleplan Desk by Robin Day

By Hille, Robin Day

Located in London, GB

A superb and extremely rare vintage Hilleplan desk by Robin Day. This was made in England by Hille, it dates from the 1950’s. This model is an unusual combination of woods, it is mo...

Category

Vintage 1950s English Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs

You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.

A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture

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.