George Nelson Coconut Lounge Chair in Maharam Mode Goldenrod Fabrics
About the Item
- Creator:George Nelson (Designer)
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2010s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Seattle, WA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5748231108132
Coconut Lounge Chair
George Nelson (1908–86) attributed many of his design breakthroughs to creative “zaps.” He described such moments as “when the solitary individual finds he is connected with a reality he never dreamed of.” The Coconut lounge chair can certainly be traced back to one such “zap.”
The inspiration for the piece — which evolved from an idea presented by George Mulhauser, a designer who worked at Nelson’s Manhattan studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc., and is now credited with the concept — was as simple as the name suggests: a curved slice of coconut. In addition to the tropical fruit, the sleek chair nods to architect Eero Saarinen’s swerving Kresge Auditorium at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, built in 1953.
Minimal in appearance, the Coconut lounge chair comprises only a few materials: a molded plastic shell, a single leather cushion and a trio of chrome legs. The chair was created in 1955 for Herman Miller, where Nelson served as director of design until 1972. In his studio, Nelson and his designers produced a wealth of hits, including benches, pendant lights and more for Herman Miller and other clients. In his director role, Nelson also supervised a team of now-legendary mid-century modern designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and others.
Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree hired Nelson in 1945 after having read about a modular storage system that he conceived with architect Henry Wright — it was featured in a joint editorial project from Life and Architectural Forum. Nelson continued to operate his design studio while at Herman Miller, and today, several of the pieces designed at George Nelson Associates, Inc. are in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection, including the Coconut lounge chair.
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. 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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Seattle, WA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- George Nelson For Herman Miller First Generation Coconut Chair and OttomanBy George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WAThe Coconut chair was designed in 1955 by the American architect, industrial designer, author, editor and teacher George Nelson. Unlike the later editions, the first generation has a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Percival Lafer's Lounge Chair model MP-61 in Maharam Leather and Rosewood, 1973By Percival LaferLocated in Seattle, WAA rare lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer, Model MP-61, with fiberglass shell, rosewood plywood base. Restored and reupholstered in Maharam Brown leather. In gr...Category
Vintage 1970s South American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
- George Nelson Modular Seating System Bench in Alexander Girard Checker FabricBy George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WANelson’s studio “George Nelson & Associates” produced countless designs that were ahead of their time, including the Nelson Modular Seating System from which we have this three piece sectional set. The system was gorgeous line of products that Herman Miller produced between 1956-1978. The wide array of Nelson’s Modular System can be found in all shapes and sizes to this day. Sofas, loveseats, chairs, armless seating, end tables and more; it was meant to fulfill the needs of any space large or small. This rare bench has been completely restored and re-upholstered with the iconic Alexander Girard...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Eero Saarinen Womb Chair & Ottoman Medium in Alexander Girard Quatrefoil FabricBy Eero SaarinenLocated in Seattle, WAOne of the most iconic chair designs of the 20th century, Eero Saarinen designed this lounge chair for Florence Knoll at the request of “a chair that was like a basket full of pillow...Category
2010s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Fiberglass
- George Nelson Low-Back Executive Tilt-Swivel Chair for Herman MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Seattle, WAGeorge Nelson & Associate was one the driving force for the revolutionary of Office space furniture in the 50s and 60s. Between 1955 and 1964, the group came up with some of the most iconic design of the Mid-Century Modern era such as the CSS shelving...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Swivel Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde
- Eames Time Life Lobby Lounge Chair ES105 in Forest Green LeatherBy Charles and Ray EamesLocated in Seattle, WAA newly restored Eames timelife Lobby chair, model ES105, reupholstered in Forest Green Aniline Leather. Priced Individually, we currently have 2. Eames Timelife Lobby chair is the ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsAluminum
- Iconic George Nelson ‘Coconut’ Lounge ChairBy Vitra, George NelsonLocated in Waalwijk, NLGeorge Nelson, ‘Coconut’ lounge chair, fiberglass, leather upholstery, steel, United States, design 1955, later production The ‘Coconut’ lounge chair is one of George Nelson’s iconi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson "Coconut" Lounge Chair for VitraBy George NelsonLocated in Edmonton, ABThis iconic midcentury modern lounge chair was designed by George Nelson in 1956. This chair is a recent production.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Coconut Chair in Alexander Girard MinicheckBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Brooklyn, NYIconic coconut chair designed by George Nelson. A low-slung lounge profile with spacious seat for superior comfort. Triangular fiberglass shell rests on architectural brushed-steel t...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFiberglass
- George Nelson Coconut Chair and OttomanBy George NelsonLocated in Los Angeles, CALeather chair and ottoman with metal base.Category
Vintage 1950s Lounge Chairs
- George Nelson, Rare Lounge Chair, Fabric, USA, 1940sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in High Point, NCA rare wood and beige grey bouclé fabric model 4688 lounge chair designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1940s. Seat height: 18.5”Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 2007 Coconut Lounge Chair by George Nelson for Vitra in Black LeatherBy Vitra, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single Coconut Lounge Chair, designed by George Nelson. This handsome lounge chair is composed of a molded reinforced plastic shell, with an upholstered black leather seat ...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Plastic
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.