Bureaux & Mobiliers de bureaux 1950's - Office furnitures & Secretary

George Nelson's 'Thin Edge' line of furniture might very well be the definition of American Modernism. The Rosewood Case Series (Thin Edge Group) was designed by Nelson associates Irving Harper and John F. Pile and manufactured by Herman Miller from 1952 to 1957.


George Nelson's 'Thin Edge' secretary/dresser designed by Irving Harper and John F. Pile and first produced by Herman Miller in 1952. Photo: George Nelson Foundation

A piece from the 'Basic Cabinet' series by George Nelson and Associates. Designed by Ernest Farmer, an associate of GN & A, the series featured stand alone cabinets as well as modular cabinets that used the now classic slat bench as a base. First produced by Herman Miller in 1946

Basic Cabinet Series

N° 4600 Series and N° 4700 Series

Wood: walnut, primavera, or black
Fronts: walnut, primavera, or black; or lacquered in bittersweet red, forest green, or gun metal
Pulls: zinc alloy with a bronze, copper, or silvers finish, later available in chrome
H 24", 34", 40"; W 24", 34", 40", 56 3/16; D 12", 18 1/2"

The Basic Cabinet Series, or BCS, was a collection of wood storage solutions designed to sit atop the Platform Bench, stand alone, or as part of a wall assembly. As the Herman Miller catalogs from 1949 and 1952 illustrate, the system offered space for storing tableware, glasses, a house bar, records, books, or children's clothing.

The cabinets were offered with a huge combination of choices, including: several heights, widths, and depths; five different handles; doors on the right and left, adjustable shelves, and drawers in various heights; and a finished rear wall that allowed the cabinets to be used as room dividers.

Special versions included a vanity with a mirror and an integrated light that could be installed between two chests of drawers, modules with fronts that could fold down to be used as a desk, as well as cabinets for radios, record players, and loudspeakers. Beginning in 1952, a television could also be integrated into the system. For the bedroom design, special storage headboards and bedside units were developed to match the other components of the series.

Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to ca. 1958, reintroduced 2011.
http://www.georgenelsonfoundation.org/george-nelson/index.html#furniture/basic-cabinet-series-212

And one more by architect, industrial designer, furniture designer, artist, and publisher Gio Ponti with this integrated sideboard and bookcase. Made from walnut and rosewood it was manufactured by Singer and Sons in 1951.

Possibly one of the most beautiful desks ever made. Designed by Gio Ponti and produced by Singer & Sons in 1952.