George Nelson Tables
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
C. 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Gate Leg Dining Table, Model 4656
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Gate Leg Dining Table, model 4656, originally designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller in 1946. This particular example was produced in the United States circa 1954. . T...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
George Nelson for Arbuck Wrought Iron Patio Side Tables
By Arbuck, George Nelson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of elegant, tiered, wrought iron side tables by George Nelson For Arbuck feature travertine tops that lay within the frames and mesh bottom tiers at 14 inches height.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Travertine, Wrought Iron
End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Quarrata, IT
End Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
Category
1960s Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
X Leg Extendable Dining Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1950s. Rare iron base Nelson x leg table. Laminate top with two leaves.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Coffee Table by George Nelson Model 5751
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare Model 5751 coffee table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Features a white laminated top, polished steel base, and mahogany apron. Retains original label. A clean, iconic exam...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
White Pedestal Coffee Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, USA, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Vienna, AT
This iconic circular white 5452 pedestal coffee or side table was designed by George Nelson and made by Herman Miller, USA 1960s.
It features a White laminate top and enameled steel...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
$1,079 Sale Price
35% Off
Early George Nelson Desk / Return, Child
s Desk, Modernist, Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early George Nelson desk / return, child's desk, Modernist, Herman Miller, Retains original Herman Miller foil label, 4 drawers, pencil dividers, steel frame, minor pitting (lower right side bottom). Original designed for larger desk, return, typewriter desk...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Pedestal Extension Table model 5559 By GEORGE NELSON for HERMAN MILLER 1950S
By George Nelson
Located in Vigevano, PV
Pedestal Extension Table model 5559 By GEORGE NELSON for HERMAN MILLER 1950S
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
A Classic Pair of George Nelson Night Stands Herman Miller Basic Series 1950
s
By George Nelson
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great Pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller nightstands, ca' 1950's. Combed oak, with a pickled finish, restored, ebonized legs and original, silvered J shaped handles. Inside dr...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Oak
Action Office Writing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in New York, NY
Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Lockable hinged cov...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
George Nelson, Rare Coffee Table, Walnut, USA, 1946
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in High Point, NC
A very rare modular walnut coffee table, Model 4651, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in 1946.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Walnut
Yellow
Black Steel Frame Desk Model 4111 by George Nelson Herman Miller Mint
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
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 Tables
Materials
Steel
Pedestal Side Coffee 5452 Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Berlin, DE
The famous coffee table designed by George Nelson in 1960 for Herman Miller. White pedestal base, white tabletop. Signed!
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller White Laminate and Black Steel Rolling End / Sid
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Queens, NY
2 Pairs of American mid-century rolling end / side tables with square white laminate tops and lower shelves contained in an open cube-form black coated steel frame, resting on four s...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal, Steel
Elusive Modernist Action Office Desk or Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rarely seen modernist action office desk or conference table by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Purchased from prominent Buffalo NY architect. Beautiful figured walnut wood top mino...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Aluminum
George Nelson Model 4652 Extension Coffee Table by Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Highland, IN
This 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
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood, Formica
George Nelson Herman Miller White Laminate Pedestal Dinette Mid Century Table
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A George Nelson for Herman Miller pedestal dinette table. A fantastic little table with a white laminate table top, a wooden table, and a white aluminum base with x-shaped legs. This...
Category
Mid-20th Century George Nelson Tables
Materials
Laminate
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
By Robert Propst, Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Renens, CH
1960s Action Office Standing Desk by George Nelson, Herman Miler production
George Nelson, architect, designer and author is famous for several ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson EOG Walnut Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Cambridge, US
USA, ca. 1950s. A large dining table or work table from George Nelson’s Executive Office Group for Herman Miller. Features a generous rec...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel, Chrome
George Nelson Steel Frame Group Rolling Table / Cart
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and unusual George Nelson for Herman Miller table on rollers from the Steel Frame Group, made by Herman Miller. White lamina...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel
Vintage George nelson Steel frame Side table for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
simple and elegant black steel frame with white laminate side table on castors. designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern George Nelson for Herman Miller Swag Leg Side Table
Classic vintage mid century modern side table with white ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson Herman Miller Drop Leaf Gate Leg Dining Table or Desk
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
A rarer find in original black finish. Clever design by George Nelson for Herman Miller
Measures: 40" depth
29.75" height.
64.75" long unfolded
41.5" half folded
18.5" folded.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood
Side Table by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in bruxelles, BE
Table with wooden top and metal base designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in the 1960s. Wear due to time and age of the table
Category
1960s Central American Mid-Century Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
George Nelson, Pair of Low Tables with Curved Iron Structure
By George Nelson
Located in Milano, IT
COD-1439
George Nelson
Pair of low tables with curved iron structure and glass top resting on small colored spheres.
UK manufacture, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Iron
Pair of Early Foil Label Original George Nelson Herman Miller Swag Leg Tables
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful example of this iconic design in nice vintage condition. A nice early Herman Miller Foil Strip label attached to underside. Acquired a 2nd identical table with the same Foi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
1960s George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office I Desk
By George Nelson, Robert Propst, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Walnut and Leather Desk Table, Model 64906, designed by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1964. The design was a part of the Action Office Series. This e...
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Steel, Iron
Vintage George Nelson Herman Miller Steel Frame White Coffee Table
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful clean signed example of this form. All original. White laminate top. Original white finish. Style of Florence Knoll.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
Herman Miller Mid-Century Tables
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century end tables by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Walnut frames with white laminate tops.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Laminate, Walnut
$1,400 / set
1959 George Nelson for Herman Miller No 5752 Rectangular Coffee Table in Teak
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a very rare and unusual coffee table by George Nelson. This is the model number 5752 coffee table by George Nelson and Associates, which was produced by Herman Mil...
Category
1950s American Modern Vintage George Nelson Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak, Teak
Rare George Nelson Coffetable with Castors
By George Nelson
Located in Munich, DE
From the steelframe series.
LOCATED IN HAMBURG
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern George Nelson Tables
Materials
Metal
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
George Nelson tables for sale on 1stDibs.
George Nelson tables 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 tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables 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 tables by Brown Saltman, Charles and Ray Eames, and Adrian Pearsall. Prices for George Nelson tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,013 and can go as high as $28,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,400.
Creators Similar to George Nelson
Questions About George Nelson Tables
- 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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