George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
American, 1908-1986
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. Nelson's studio also sold designs for clocks to the Howard Miller Clock Company, a manufacturer that was initially part of Herman Miller before it became an offshoot that was helmed by Howard Miller, D.J. De Pree's brother-in-law.
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 1stDibs, 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.
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Creator: George Nelson
George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Cabinet
By George Nelson
Located in Dallas, TX
A rosewood thin edge cabinet / bookshelf designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller.
Category
1950s Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
1970s Mid-Century George Nelson Herman Miller "Action Office" Rolltop Desk Exec.
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Basel, BS
Very Rare and highly collectible original vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller rolltop "Action Desk". These early productions of these Herman Miller products hold more value than the more modern productions. This desk is beautiful from all angles. It is a brutalist, post modern, collectible work of art.
Measures: Height: 34 inches
Width: 54 inches
Depth: 30 inches.
Note: We do have the Herman Miller Aluminum Group desk chair...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
$4,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair George Nelson Herman Miller 5-Drawer Chests + Door Primavera Basic Series
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare pair of cabinets or chests made by Herman Miller in the early 1950s and designed by American design icon George Nelson. Each cabinet features primavera construction, a form of b...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Mahogany
Mid century birch dresser credenza by George Nelson Herman miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century George Nelson for Herman Miller Primavera dresser or credenza. Has left side cabinet door and Four drawers with curved nickel metal pulls. Has drawer dividers and left si...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Nickel
$2,880 Sale Price
20% Off
George Nelson For Herman Miller Desk And Credenza
By George Nelson
Located in Pasadena, TX
A 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
1960s American Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
$6,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Three-Piece George Nelson Cabinetry Display Case Unit
By George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Two small chests support the glass front display unit, vitrine. This versatile set can be used as shown, or separated into two dressers and a long glass display case. Selling three p...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
$4,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1978 New Old Stock Overhead Cabinets by George Nelson, 6x Avail
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a New/Old Stock Hanging Cabinet, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller for their Action Office Series in 1965. These particular cabinets date to 1978 and were never use...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Steel, Enamel
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 Drawer Chest Dresser Restored
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Herman Miller 5 drawer chest dresser restored.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller BCS Three Drawer Cabinet (No Bench)
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with three drawers, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. It features ...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Rare Pair George Nelson Primavera Bachelor Chest Cabinet Mid-Century X Pulls
By George Nelson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Remarkably iconic and rare pair of walnut bachelors chests designed by George Nelson for the Herman Miller, Primavera line, circa 1950s. We love that these are the same size but hav...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
$7,800 Sale Price / set
20% Off
George Nelson Basic Series Cabinet on Ebonized Herman Miller Bench
By George Nelson
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Rare 1960s George Nelson for Herman Miller cabinet set upon an1 iconic Herman Miller slat ebonized bench.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Desk with Return
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Desk with Return
This desk measures: 80.75 wide x 18.5 deep x 45 high
The return measures: 59 wide x 29.5 deep x 29 inches high, with a c...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Chrome
C. 1955 George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Cabinet Series Drop-Front Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a George Nelson for Herman Miller Basic Series Secretary Chest, circa 1955. The Basic Cabinet Series, or BCS, was a collection of wood storage solutions developed by Nelson i...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Zinc
Yellow
Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Yellow & black steel frame desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Steel
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Cabinet Series Three-Door Cabinet Bar
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Three-Door Basic Cabinet Series bar in walnut, initially designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular piece was produced ca.1950. Three cabinet door...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Steel
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Drop Side Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Drop Side Desk
This desk measures: 40 wide x 24 deep x 28.75 inches high, with a chair clearance of 27.75 i...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
George Nelson Thin Edge Rosewood Cabinet for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Craig Ellwood, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A cabinet from George Nelson’s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller modified by architect Craig Ellwood for one of his homes. The design features a slender rosewood case with four ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Veneer 4-Drawer Commode
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century 4-drawer walnut veneer bedside table / commode with M-shaped silver metal handles, resting on four square wooden legs. (BCS BASIC CABINET SERIES, GEORGE NELSON F...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Walnut
Libreria CSS di George Nelson per ICF De Padova Anni 60
By ICF De Padova, George Nelson
Located in Milano, IT
Libreria a parete che necessita ancoraggio a muro, con ripiani a giorno e elementi contenitori, montanti in alluminio, metallo smaltato. Buone condizioni.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
George Nelson
Alexander Girard Wall Mounted Cabinet, 1964
By George Nelson
Located in Coronado, CA
An extremely uncommon wall-mounted cabinet designed collaboratively by George Nelson and Alexander Girard in 1964 as part of the Herman Miller accessory line. The cabinet features tw...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Laminate, Walnut, Paint
1970’s George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge Tall Chest
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Palm Springs, CA
We recently acquired a set of George Nelson Rosewood Thin Edge chests out of an estate. They are vintage 1970’s and still each retain the Herman Miller Label. Please see our other li...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Rosewood
1970s 6ft George Nelson
Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ Drawers
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Laminate, Oak
Mid-Century Pair Walnut Two Door Cabinet George Nelson Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Baltimore, MD
Remarkably Iconic rare pair of double door cabinets designed by George Nelson for the Herman Miller, Primavera line circa 1950s. Iconic pi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller Thin Edge Rosewood 5-Drawer Dresser
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 5-drawer dresser from the Thin Edge series, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1953. This piece was produced in the United States and dates back to the 1950s. C...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Aluminum
1950s George Nelson for Herman Miller BCS Walnut Three Drawer Cabinet (no bench)
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with four drawers, Model 4606, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. T...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
C. 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Three Drawer Cabinet 34x24x18 in
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is an uncommon Walnut Cabinet with three drawers, Model 4603, designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This design was part of George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series. ...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Steel
George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by George Nelson were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Herman Miller, Edward Wormley, and Dunbar. Prices for George Nelson case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,260 and can go as high as $22,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,998.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
- Why is George Nelson famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was an American designer, and for a time the lead designer for the famed Herman Miller furniture company. Nelson is often referred to as the founder of American modernist design and often associated with his more inspired pieces such as the Coconut Chair, Marshmallow Sofa and the Ball Clock. Shop a collection of George Nelson furniture designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What did George Nelson make?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson was a furniture designer central to the mid-century modern design movement. His best-known creations are the marshmallow sofa, coconut chair, ball clock and bubble lamp series. His style included sleek, thin-edge lines on a variety of furniture still available today. Shop a range of George Nelson furniture designs on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Modern George Nelson clocks are made in Poland. The company Vitra Designs manufactures the timepieces based on the original designs of the American designer who lived from 1908 to 1986. On 1stDibs, you can shop a selection of George Nelson clocks.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022George Nelson Bubble Lamps are made of steel wires, which form a durable framework for the lamp. A plastic polymer material spread over the wires forms the shade which is translucent to give the lamp a soft glow. Inspired by Swedish lamps, these mid-century modern light fixtures are still made by the legendary furniture manufacturer Herman Miller today. Shop a range of George Nelson Bubble Lamps on 1stDibs.
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