Description

In 1947, the American designer George Nelson was commissioned to create a collection of clocks. Nelson analysed how people used clocks and concluded that they read the time by discerning the relative position of the hands, which made the use of numbers unnecessary. Furthermore, since most people wore wristwatches, he assumed that clocks had become more of a decorative element for interiors.

These ideas provided the basis for the first collection of 14 timepieces, consisting of a completely new style of wall clocks and compact table clocks, which were launched on the market in 1949. Although the models all shared one common feature – the absence of numbers – the diversity of their shapes, colous, materials and designs could hardly have been greater.

George Nelson was formally trained in architecture at Yale, before receiving the prestigious Rome Prize in 1932. By 1945, Nelson had established himself as a designer and introduced his first collection for Herman Miller. He would go on to redesign the majority of Herman Miller's furniture collections (alongside others such as Ray and Charles Eames), including graphics and marketing materials. In the mid 1950s, George Nelson incorporated George Nelson & Associates, his office in New York, which employed more than a handful of renowned designs over the years such as Irving Harper, Michael Graves, and Ettore Sottsass. His footprint on the design world was substantial and his works are widely collected today.

Details
Dealer Verification

Verified Vitra Dealer

2025 Rarify Inc.
Authentication

Authenticated

Reviewed on 2024-03-18 04:32:30
Designer
George Nelson
Manufacturer
Vitra
Production Year
2025
Type
Accessories
Shipping
Approximate Lead Time
1-2 weeks
Shipping Policy
As a buyer, you pay for shipping costs and we arrange delivery. If you purchase an item, we will contact you to confirm shipping options and prices. We will make sure that it is as inexpensive for you as possible. Shipping costs we've listed here are estimates. Read our full shipping policy here. →
Lifecycle
Condition
New

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Estimated lead times are shown under "Delivery", above. Read our shipping policy to learn more.

Lead times are estimated based on previous production times from our manufacturing partners, but lead times can change depending on availability and circumstances outside of Rarify's control.

For example: if purchasing an imported or made-to-order product, international shipping and import times depend on many factors. This includes US customs operations, global trade circumstances, and production facilities in other countries.

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  • Small items like lamps typically cost under $99 to ship.
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  • Freight costs often range between $100 and $999 for furniture.
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Read our full shipping policy here. →

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