George Nelson (American, 1908–1986)

LOT ID: 52050

An Early Marshmallow Sofa, ie. circa 1960

Seating, vinyl, metal

31 х 50 х 30 in. (78.74 x 127 x 76.2 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.

Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Carrier:
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Shipping Weight: 60 lbs

Framing: No

Item Location: New York, USA

Shipping Options:
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52050

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George Nelson

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An Early Marshmallow Sofa

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George Nelson (American, 1908–1986)

LOT ID: 52050

An Early Marshmallow Sofa, ie. circa 1960

CONFIRMATION

Brent Lewis

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George Nelson

George Nelson

George Nelson

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

CONFIRMATION

Brent Lewis

Sales Results for Comparable Works

George Nelson

George Nelson

George Nelson

artnet Analytics Data

George Nelson (American, 1908–1986)

LOT ID: 52050

An Early Marshmallow Sofa, ie. circa 1960