George Nelson Walnut Basic Cabinet Group Dressers
View Similar Items
George Nelson Walnut Basic Cabinet Group Dressers
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Very good condition, newly refinished.
- Seller Location:Highland, IN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU909119511462
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.
- George Nelson Modular Group SofaBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThe modular seating group designed by the Nelson office in 1955 is one of our favorite sofa designs. It was designed on a 30" module and offered in a wide variety of configurations. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSteel
- Jay Spectre 7 Drawer Oak Dresser by CenturyBy Century Furniture, Jay SpectreLocated in Highland, INDesigned by Jay Spectre for Century, this dramatic 7-drawer dresser from his "Eclipse" collection is a post-modern take on Deco / Moderne design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
- Ib Kofod-Larsen 12 Drawer CabinetBy Ib Kofod-Larsen, Brande MøbelfabrikLocated in Highland, INDesigned by Ib Kofod-Larsen for Brande Møbelfabrik, this teak 12 drawer cabinet is beautifully constructed with dove-tailed drawer fronts with recessed ...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Pierre Cardin Long Dresser / CabinetBy Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Pierre CardinLocated in Highland, INA sleek and sophisticated 1970s design by Pierre Cardin, this long, low white cabinet has linear graphic elements and recessed pulls in chrome. The p...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson Model 4652 Extension Coffee Table by Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Highland, INThis early George Nelson design features two extensions with reversible and removable tray tables. Closed, it is a modestly scaled table. Opened the surface nearly doubles, and the t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood, Formica
- 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
- Pair George Nelson 4-Drawer 'Basic Group' DressersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYSimple elegant modern walnut chest of drawers with ebonized wood legs and aluminum pulls, c. 1950. The original finish has a warm patina and even color. For Herman Miller, Retains al...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- George Nelson for Herman Miller 'Basic Cabinet Series' Dresser, c. 1955, SignedBy George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis fantastic chest of drawers was designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, part of the 'Basic Cabinet Series' and also called 'Primavera', t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$3,000 Sale Price28% Off - 1954 George Nelson Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series 4936 Credenza / DresserBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a circa 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Model 4936 5-Drawer Basic Cabinet Series dresser / credenza. This is a delightfully original piece. The condition over...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel
- Midcentury George Nelson Three Drawer Cabinet for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in BROOKLYN, NYGorgeous BCS chest of drawers in original brown ash designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This is a very early version with plated metal pulls not aluminum and unusual finished back. This versatile unit is a perfect small dresser, nightstand, or end table. George Nelson, Alexander Girard, and Charles and Ray Eames headed the Herman Miller department for many ground breaking...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Chest of DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Dallas, TXThis is a 4 drawer chest in walnut with cast metal pulls, black lacquered angular legs and cast aluminum finger pulls. Top drawer has removable dividers. Designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, manufactured in Michigan...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 Drawer Chest Dresser RestoredBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 drawer chest dresser restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
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.