Above: A tableau of design including the John F. Pile and Irving Harper Miniature Chest designed for George Nelson & Associates in 1952. Also shown a Jean Prouve table and a lamp designed by Georges Jouve, 1950’s. Photo: Ross Floyd for Wright Auctions
The ‘Miniature Chests’ designed by Irving Harper and John F. Pile of George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller in 1952.
One of the more interesting items to come out of George Nelson & Associates is the ‘Miniature Chest’. Designed by John Pile and Irving Harper in 1952 as part of the Rosewood Case Group (the Thin Edge Group) these little storage chests, of which there were four basic variations, were meant to hold smaller items like jewelry, sewing kits, or even small items of clothing. Available with or without legs as well as the optional enameled aluminum pedestal the series was introduced by Herman Miller in 1952 and remained in production until 1963. In 2005 Herman Miller reintroduced two models of the Miniature Chests which have become popular design accessories serving not only as storage but also as night stands and side tables. Herman Miller still as yet (rather inexplicably) to reintroduce George Nelson’s CSS shelving system!
In a room with an Eames screen and a Phillip Lloyd Powell chair a Miniature Chest designed by Irving Harper and John F. Pile of George Nelson & Associates for Herman Miller in 1952. Photo: Mark G. Peters
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