Swaged Leg Chair in Gray and White by Georg Nelson & Associates, 1954
View Similar Items
Swaged Leg Chair in Gray and White by Georg Nelson & Associates, 1954
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer),Herman Miller (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: LC11741stDibs: LU877114579691
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.
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 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. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- Swaged Leg Chair in Gray and White by Georg Nelson & Associates, 1954By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in New York, NYSwaged leg chair, model MAF, in fiberglass, enameled steel, rubber, enameled aluminum, and plastic. Designed by George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller, USA, 1954.Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
Price Upon Request - Dining Chair in Rosewood and Cane by Branco & Preto, 1950sBy Branco & PretoLocated in New York, NYChair in rosewood with cane seat and back. Designed and made by Branco & Preto, Brazil, 1950s. (seat: 17" H).Category
Vintage 1950s Brazilian Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
Price Upon Request - S-Chair No. 275 in Red by Verner Panton, 1956By Verner PantonLocated in New York, NYVerner Panton. S-chair, model 275. Designed 1956, this example manufactured ca. 1965. Manufactured by A. Sommer, Germany. Retailed by Thonet, Frankenberg, Germany. Aniline-dyed beech...Category
Vintage 1960s German Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
Price Upon Request - Empire Chair in Molded Plywood by Robert Venturi & Denise Scott, 1984By Knoll, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott BrownLocated in New York, NYEmpire chair in molded plywood with laminated finish in the "Grandmother" pattern. Designed by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Knoll, USA, 1984.Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlywood
Price Upon Request - Side Chair by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, 1990By Sergio RodriguesLocated in New York, NYJacaranda side chair with leather seat and back. Designed by Sergio Rodrigues for the offices of Manchete TV and Editora in the Flamengo neighborhood of Rio, Brazil, 1990. Measure: S...Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Chairs
MaterialsRosewood
Price Upon Request - Lounge Chair in Caviona Wood and Tan Leather by José Zanine Caldas, 1960sBy José Zanine CaldasLocated in New York, NYLounge chair in caviona wood with tan leather upholstered seat and backrest. Designed by José Zanine Caldas, Brazil, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s Brazilian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller White Swag Chair, One ChairBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Basel, BSAbsolutely stunning gorgeous and iconic George Nelson Herman Miller Swag chair in white. Originally c.1950s. This chair is an authentic Herman Miller stampe...Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Swag Leg Chair 1958 by George Nelson for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in London, GBThe "swag leg chair" by George Nelson dates back to 1958 - but would still be a perfect fit in any science fiction movie today. the innovative design resulted from nelson's demands for the development of his swag leg group, which includes chairs, a secretary and various tables. the elegantly curved legs were to be made of steel and processed by machine. and although the chair naturally looks extremely casual and cool, this has nothing to do with the youthful spirit of the 21st century: "swag" here means the process of "swaging", in english "pressing" (metal pressing is still a widespread method of forming). The frame is actually a combination of the classic "four-legged friend" with the idea of a central axis. or, to put it more poetically by a contemporary: "like four tree roots growing out of the ground and uniting to form a strong trunk...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Set of George Nelson Swag Leg Chairs by Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThe swag leg chair designs by the office of George Nelson were developed in response to his desire to create a chair with a beautiful "swagged" leg (one that tapers while it curves)....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Set of 4, Tria Wood 4 Legs Chair, Denim & 3 Legs Red by Colé ItaliaLocated in Geneve, CHSet of 4, tria wood 4 legs chair, Denim & 3 Legs Red by Colé Italia with Lorenz & Kaz Dimensions: H 82.5, D 52, W 61 cm Materials: Plywood chair; 4 legs solid oak base Also Avai...Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsOak, Plywood
- Set of 2, Tria Wood 4 Legs Chair, Denim & 3 Legs Red by Colé ItaliaLocated in Geneve, CHSet of 2, tria wood 4 legs chair, denim & 3 legs red by Colé Italia with Lorenz & Kaz Dimensions: H 82.5, D 52, W 61 cm Materials: Plywood chair; 4 legs solid oak base Also Avai...Category
2010s Italian Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsPlywood, Oak
- Chair Designed by Giancarlo De Carlo, Manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1954By Giancarlo De Carlo, ArflexLocated in Wolfurt, ATChair designed by Giancarlo De Carlo, manufactured by Arflex, Italy, 1954. This chair is an original commission for the furnishing of the motor yacht "Lucania". The seat shell is mad...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsSteel
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.