Original 1950s Vintage George Nelson Ball Clock
View Similar Items
Original 1950s Vintage George Nelson Ball Clock
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Howard Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)Diameter: 13 in (33.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU954112766442
George Nelson
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, as well as its competitor, the Howard Miller Clock Company. 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 these pages, 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.
- George Nelson Chess Piece ClockBy George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYRare model #2251 chess piece table clock designed by George Nelson for Howard Miller Clock Company. Turned walnut base supports w...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- Fritz Hansen & George Nelson Stool Seat Wall ClockBy Fritz Hansen, George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage 1950s George Nelson ball clock for George Nelson and Associates and Howard Miller. This clock was designed with Irving Harper in 1949, and was the first among several iconic clock...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- George Nelson Tripod Table ClockBy George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYScarce large tripod table clock, Model 4764, designed by George Nelson and Associates for Howard Miller Clock Company. Satin brass dial encased in plexiglass bubble, with signature b...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s George Nelson Swag Leg DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYOriginal Swag leg desk, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Colorful cubbyholes and molded drawers allow for a tidy and streamlined workspace. O...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
$3,100 Sale Price50% Off - George Nelson Vanity StoolBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic model 4672 vanity stool designed by George Nelson. Plush rectangular seat gracefully perched on a brushed aluminum base. Minimal design and compact size makes it an attractiv...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsBouclé
- George Nelson "Half Nelson" Adjustable Table Lamp for Koch and LowyBy Koch & Lowy, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYHalf Nelson table lamp, designed by George Nelson for Koch and Lowy. A thoughtful design, featuring a pivoting shade made from spun aluminum, that offers customizable illumination. T...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass, Aluminum, Metal
- Arthur Umanoff Desk Clock, George Nelson & Associates, 1950sBy George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Houston, TXGeorge Nelson & Associates table clock. Howard Miller Clock Company, USA. Rosewood, steel. Measures: 4.25 W x 3 D x 5.5 H inches. Signed with decal manufacturer's label t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Clocks
MaterialsSteel
- Early Production Iconic Ball Clock Designed by George Nelson for Howard MillerBy George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in San Diego, CAA very hard to find and early iconic ball clock designed by George Nelson for Howard Miller, circa 1950s. The clock is in original vintage condition with an 8 feet long plug in elec...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- George Nelson Basket Clock, model 2215By George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in New York, NYRound basket clock, model #2215, designed by George Nelson and produced by Howard Miller, 1950’s. Rattan, enameled steel, metal. With Howard Miller decal on face, and sticker and emb...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsMetal, Steel
- George Nelson Brass Clock for Howard MillerBy George Nelson, Howard Miller, Herman MillerLocated in Los Angeles, CAGeorge Nelson for Howard Miller brass clock. A round brass clock on a tri-legged brass pedestal with a thick plexiglass face. The clock has b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- George Nelson for Howard Miller Clock #4766By George Nelson, Howard MillerLocated in Palm Springs, CAA nice vintage mid century modern George Nelson for Howard Miller 4766 Clock in working condition. The clock has an alarm function that is working as well. The clock bears a Treadway...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Irving Harper for George Nelson Howard Miller ClockBy George Nelson, Howard Miller, Irving HarperLocated in San Diego, CAVintage Irving Harper for George Nelson Associates wall clock. Produced by Howard Miller, with original tags. Runs well and retains the original hands a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Clocks
MaterialsPlastic
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
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.
Kule and Forsyth Give Iconic Furniture a Bold Makeover with Stripes
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.