George Nelson, Cigar Wall Sconce, Plastic, Walnut, Nickel, Herman Miller, 1952
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 38.75 in (98.43 cm)Width: 12 in (30.48 cm)Depth: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:High Point, NC
- Reference Number:
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.
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 chairs, sofas, tables and other 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. Such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
Find a range of vintage Herman Miller office chairs, desks, coffee tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: West Palm Beach, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- George Nelson, Saucer Bubble Pendant, Steel, Plastic, USA, 1952By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in High Point, NCAn early "Saucer Bubble" Pendant light designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1952. Small tear to plastic cover. Dimensions o...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson, Wall Light, Metal, Walnut, Resin, USA, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in High Point, NCA sizeable brass, walnut and resin wall light, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, 1950s. Please note cord feeds from bottom of stem and functions via plug...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces
MaterialsMetal
- George Nelson, Rare Coffee Table, Walnut, USA, 1946By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in High Point, NCA very rare modular walnut coffee table, Model 4651, designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller in 1946.Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- George Nelson, Lounge Chairs, Wood, Steel, Velvet, USA, 1950sBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in High Point, NCA pair of white-lacquered steel, wood and beige velvet fabric lounge chairs designed by George Nelson and produced by Herman Miller, USA, 1950s. Seat height: 14.15” Reupholstered i...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Gilbert Rohde, Rare Stool, Wood, Brown Leatherette, Herman Miller, 1940sBy Gilbert Rohde, Herman MillerLocated in High Point, NCA rare stool, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, 1940s. In wood and brown leatherette/vinyl upholstery. Other designers of the period include Isamu Noguchi, Paul Frankl...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsFaux Leather, Wood
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Pair of Midcentury Cigar Bubble Pendant LightsBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Studio City, CAA fantastic pair of George Nelson for Herman Miller vintage hanging ceiling iconic cigar bubble pendant lights made with translucent plastic poly...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel, Wire
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Triple Bubble ChandelierBy George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXA hard-to-find triple bubble chandelier by Geore Nelson. Includes the cigar bubble measuring approximately 32" H, a ball bubble and a smaller cigar. Original wood fixture with chande...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsWire
- George Nelson Herman Miller Walnut Planter Lamp Table Model 4634-LBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Baltimore, MDUnique and rare Mid-Century Modern Model 4634-L side table with lamp and planters designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller, circa 1940s. Featuring a ha...Category
Vintage 1940s American Table Lamps
MaterialsAluminum
- Vintage George Nelson for Howard Miller Bell Pendant LampBy Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in San Francisco, CAA very rare vintage bell-shaped hanging Bubble Lamp by George Nelson for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Designed in 1952, its shape and size are of a scarce combination that sets it apart from the myriad other more common original and reproduction iterations. Steel skeleton, with self-webbing soft plastic skin. Retains “Bubble Lighting...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsSteel
- Original Large George Nelson Bubble Lamps for Howard Miller (B)By Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in Oakland, CALarge original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsMetal, Wire
- Large Original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for Howard Miller Clock Company (A)By Howard Miller, George NelsonLocated in Oakland, CALarge original George Nelson Bubble Lamp for the Howard Miller Clock Company. Having a 26 inches in diameter "Bubble" form made of an wire frame covered with a spray on plastic skin ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
MaterialsWire, Metal
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.