SOLD.

George Nakashima Conoid Bench c. 1964.

Beautifully figured crotch grain American black walnut with Hickory spindles and rosewood butterflies.

Very unusual topographic shaped slab. A remarkable and early Nakashima Conoid bench.

There is a faint partial ink inscription to underside (illegible) together with copy of original order card from Nakashima Studio: John Gallagher, South Hampton, PA 1/4/1964, ‘One in Studio’.

Introduced in 1961, the Conoid line was inspired by the curved vault and outward-facing, lyrical space of Nakashima’s Conoid Studio. Without a doubt, the Conoid Bench with Back is the most dynamic seating ever designed by Nakashima. It was designed as he slowly mastered his material and began to allow the language of natural form to speak more eloquently in his work.

The initial source of inspiration for the bench lies in the large-scale Windsor benches created in America and England during the 18th and 19th centuries. However, freeing himself from an academic replication of the Windsor aesthetic, Nakashima introduced an artistic tension into the Conoid Bench, revealing an Eastern sensibility. The yoke-back configuration of the crest rail is reminiscent of 16th century imperial Chinese furniture. While in Windsor design, the crest rail, spindles and back follow the same line, in Nakashima’s bench, the spindles conform neither to the crest rail nor the edges of the walnut plank. Instead they establish a line between the two that acts as an intermediary.

To ensure the spindles fit tightly, Nakashima heated their tips before inserting them. The heat causes the wood to contract and, as it cools, they expand to fit snugly inside each hole.

Measurements: 29.5" height, 81.5 " length, 36" depth, 12" seat height

Literature: D. Ostergard, George Nakashima Full Circle, New York, 1989, pp. 156 - 157

Shipping + Delivery: Free local (NY) delivery. We also ship nationwide and worldwide. Please contact us for shipping or delivery costs. We work to obtain the most affordable shipping rates possible while ensuring that pieces are delivered safely.