Knoll George Nakashima Tray
Mixing Eastern and Western aesthetics, traditional and modern vocabularies, George Nakashima’s work defies typical categorization. He is one of the most recognized and celebrated craftsmen of the 20th century, known primarily for his handmade furniture and sensitivity to material.
In the early 1940s, Hans and Florence Knoll met Nakashima and, impressed by the simple elegance of his aesthetic, added a chair and three tables of his design to the Knoll catalog. The early orders were made in Nakashima’s own studio, before production was moved to East Greenville. The line was discontinued in 1955 when Nakashima opted to produce and market all of his designs himself.
Designed to complement the Splay-Leg Table, the Nakashima Tray exemplifies the designer’s talent for synthesizing traditional influences and modern simplicity.
MEASUREMENTS:
- Height: 4.3 cm / 1.7 inch
- Width: 79.5 cm / 31.3 inch
- Depth: 40.6 cm / 16 inch
MATERIALS:
- Tray is available with Douglas Fir top and Brazilian Santos or Wenge edge detail
HELPFUL NOTES:
- Finished in a clear, low-sheen finish
- George Nakashima’s signature is stamped on the underside of the tray
Many Knoll products are subject to shipping charges. Please check our shipping policies for details.
George Nakashima
USA, 1905 – 1990
Born in Spokane, Washington in 1905, George Nakashima received a Bachelor degree in architecture at the University of Washington and a Masters degree from MIT in 1930. After spending some time in Paris, he traveled around the world and secured a job at the architectural offices of Antonin Raymond in Tokyo, which sent him to Pondicherry, India, where he was the onsite architect for the first reinforced concrete building in that country.
When the Second World War broke out he returned to the U.S. and was sent to the interment camps in Idaho with his infant daughter and wife. In 1943, Antonin Raymond successfully sponsored Nakashima’s release from the camp and invited him to his farm in Pennsylvania where he built a studio and workshop.
Nakashima explored the organic expressiveness of wood and choosing boards with knots, burls and interesting grain. He designed furniture lines for Knoll, including the Straight Back Chair, a modernist take on the traditional Windsor chair. Drawing on Japanese designs and shop practices, as well as on American and international modern styles, Nakashima created a body of work that would make his name synonymous with the best of 20th century American Art furniture.
Boasting an extensive portfolio of products ranging from office work systems and residential mid-century modern classics, to textiles and accessories, Knoll is a leader of modern and sustainable design. Iconic designs from classic designers such as Harry Bertoia, Eero Saarinen, Warren Platner, Isamu Noguchi and Florence Knoll herself make up a large component of Knoll's collection, along with innovative contemporary pieces. Knoll's products can be found in private residences and major art museums alike, including 40 products in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Founded in 1938, Knoll's reputation for design integrity has a long and decorated history under the guiding principle: "good design is good business." Knoll invests in extensive research, field studies, customer collaborations, and partners with experts from the fields of architecture, organizational behavior, technology and business management to ensure that its products adapt and respond to the evolving needs of their customers. Environmental needs and requirements are not overlooked by the design house either. In fact, Knoll is also considered a leader in production practices that reduce waste, conserve natural resources and protect the biosphere.
Knoll has a strong international presence in the design world - headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA with showrooms across North America, Europe and represented by dealers throughout Latin America and Asia.
Knoll products incur a 7.5% shipping charge at checkout, with a minimum of $85 and maximum of $500. This fee reflects White Glove Delivery for large items, which includes bringing the item to your room of choice, unpacking, removal of packaging, and assembly.
For further information on our shipping policies click here.
For further information on returns + refunds click here.
