George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk with Credenza Return
View Similar Items
George Nelson for Herman Miller Executive Desk with Credenza Return
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 72 in (182.88 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly finished condition.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1560219662212
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 Walnut Executive and Typewriter Desk SetBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, Executive Office Group desk model 9959 and typewriter return desk model 4751 by George Nelson for Herman Miller features a dark walnut finish with steel legs, alu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson For Herman Miller Walnut Nighstand End TableBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, model #4617, walnut nightstand or end table by George Nelson For Herman Miller features closed storage with signature, steel J pulls. Iconic, American, mid-centur...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsAluminum
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Extension Coffee Table Model 4652By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, model 4652, Primavera coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller pulls out on each end as an extension of surface or to reveal two stored removable trays 21 x 16 inches with white formica tops. The table top is natural white mahogany...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsFormica, Mahogany
- Modernist Patchwork Burl Credenza By Paul Evans For DirectionalBy Paul EvansLocated in Brooklyn, NYStunning, modernist, patchwork burl, credenza by Paul Evans for Directional features a high sheen laminate finish with 48 inch wide, gunmetal steel center doors and two 16 inch wide ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsSteel
- Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Upholstered Slipper ChairsBy Gilbert Rohde, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYWonderful pair of art deco, slipper, lounge chairs by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller features a rounded profile with upholstered seat and back in a woven blue linen blend.Category
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Slipper Chairs
MaterialsMahogany, Fabric
- Pair of Eames For Herman Miller LCW Lounge ChairsBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Brooklyn, NYPair of molded birch plywood LCW, low seated easy lounge chairs designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. Their black oval Herman Miller label indicates the pair is from t...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBentwood
- Early George Nelson Eog Executive Desk with Return for Herman Miller, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely stunning Mid-Century Modern desk designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. The Executive Office Group, NO 8000 Series...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBirch, Walnut
- Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson - 4 File DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these (found together) listed separately. These appear to be ups...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Herman Miller Executive Credenza by George Nelson - 1 File DrawerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Chicago, ILVintage Herman Miller Executive credenza by George Nelson We have a pair of these (found together) listed separately. These appear to be ups...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive DeskBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Countryside, ILGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Corner Executive Desk This desk measures: 60 wide x 30 deep x 29.75 high, with a chair cleara...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- George Nelson 8000 Series Credenza for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Little Burstead, EssexThis is a beautiful example of the classic Nelson design for Herman Miller's executive office group, the top and sides are Walnut, and the sliding doors are black and white laminate ...Category
Vintage 1960s Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- George Nelson For Herman Miller Desk And CredenzaBy George NelsonLocated in Pasadena, TXA mid century modern desk and credenza designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller. The walnut credenza with multiple drawers and compartments for storage. The desk with wa...Category
Vintage 1960s American Credenzas
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
$6,000 Sale Price / set20% Off
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.