Coconut armchair by George Nelson in black leather, Herman Miller

George Nelson's Coconut Chair, first edition by Herman Miller circa 1960.
Unlike later Vitra editions, the shell is made of metal (not fiberglass) and does not yet have ventilation holes for pressure relief.
Upholstered in black leather.
W 97 cm x D 84 cm x H 78 cm.
Seat height 35 cm.
Normal wear and tear on the leather and shell (see photos).
The Coconut Chair is an iconic design by George Mulhauser for George Nelson and Associates/Herman Miller. We chose not to paint the metal shell to preserve its original patina.

The Coconut Chair by George Nelson
The Coconut Chair, designed in 1955 by George Nelson (1908-1986), is conceived as a quarter of a coconut cut into eight pieces. A bold concept for its time: Streamline designers drew inspiration more from naval and aeronautical aesthetics—hence the name "Ocean Liner style" given to this movement—than from organic forms found in nature.

Yet this approach foreshadows the future Pop design, which readily embraced natural and playful elements. One can see a kinship with the Tongue chair or Pierre Paulin's Orange Slice Chair. Nelson even mentioned that the idea for this chair came to him while observing the surrealist and abstract works of Joan Miró and Alexander Calder.
Despite its geometric fidelity to the fruit, the designer allows himself a subtle play on conventions: here, the colors of the coconut are reversed. The upholstered seat appears in dark leather, while the outer shell remains white, evoking the flesh of the fruit. This deliberate inversion offers a touch of refined humor, while revealing the attention paid to the smallest detail. Thanks to its chromed tubular steel base, the Coconut armchair boasts a high seat that provides both comfort and support. It invites you to sink into it with ease, whether in a living room, bedroom, or even the office.

See this Coconut armchair by George Nelson in black leather by Herman Miller in full screen on Vintage Addict.

Ref: QH9H6U7XO4