Previous LotNext lot

George Nelson (American, 1908–1986)
LOT ID: 52050
An Early Marshmallow Sofa, ie. circa 1960

Seating, vinyl, metal
31 х 50 х 30 in. cm.
Unsigned
Foundry/Publisher Herman Miller
Lot description
An example of the Marshmallow Sofa is in the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany.

This 1956 design employed new production techniques for injection plastic in combination with a simple yet powerful form of 18 cushion-discs arranged on a steel frame. It signifies the advances achieved by modern design in the mid-20th century. As the Herman Miller catalogue noted after it was introduced, “Despite its astonishing appearance, this piece is very comfortable.”

Condition: Minor marks and scratches consistent with age a use, rust on metal on the back

American designer George Nelson (1908-1986) is considered one of the founders of American Modernism. Nelson studied architecture at Yale and in 1932 won the Rome Prize for the competition in architecture, allowing him to continue his architectural studies in Rome for a year. He wrote for multiple architecture and design magazines including Pencil Points and Architecture Forum. He also wrote a book, co-authored by Henry Wright, called “Tomorrow’s House”, in which the ideas for a “family room” and the “storage wall” were introduced. In the mid-1940s Nelson become Director of Design for the Herman Miller Furniture company, which until that point had been a predominantly wood based design house. In collaboration with leading designers such as Ray and Charles Eames, Harry Bertoia, and Ettore Sottsass, Nelson produced catalogs and exhibitions that made design the most important driving force at Herman Miller.

If you require a shipping quote, please contact the Design Department via the above “Ask Specialist a Question” link.
Alternate Views: 1 of 1
Share |
Add George Nelson to My Artist Alert
Receive email alerts as soon as artists you follow are up for sale. Update your artist watch list any time.

Sales Results for Comparable Works

To help you value the lot, artnet Auctions specialists have selected similar auction results from the artnet Price Database. To better understand the lot estimates with more comparable results, subscribe or log in to the Price Database now.
  • George Nelson

    Marshmallow sofa (Model no. 5670)
    with original white vinyl upholstery
    (H 42, W 38, D 32) in.
    (106.7 x 96.5 x 81.3) cm.
    Sold for: US$38,400
    Sunday, February 10, 2008
    Los Angeles Modern Auctions
    Lot 00105
  • George Nelson

    Marshmallow sofa
    vinyl, painted metal, metal
    (H 31.0, W 51.0, D 30) in.
    (78.7 x 129.5 x 76.2) cm.
    Sold for: US$29,800
    Thursday, December 13, 2007
    Phillips de Pury & Company New York
    Lot 00260
  • George Nelson

    Marshmallow sofa
    chrome-plated and enameled steel, aluminum, upholstery
    (H 32, W 53, D 30) in.
    (81.3 x 134.6 x 76.2) cm.
    Sold for: US$20,700
    Sunday, December 08, 2002
    Wright
    Lot 00110
artnet Auctions—Buy and sell art 24/7 worldwide. ©2013 Artnet Worldwide Corporation. All rights reserved. artnet® is a registered
trademark of Artnet Worldwide Corporation. Call for Assistance: US +1-877-388-3256, EU +49 (0)30 20 91 78 50