Leather, Primavera, and Steel Desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1946

George Nelson’s masterpiece of utility, the 4658 residential desk produced from 1947-1953 is adept at filling the needs of an efficient home office. The desk is constructed of richly grained Primavera finished on all four sides, the writing surface covered in beige leather as are the sliding doors on the storage superstructure which is raised by two aluminum posts allowing for the extension of the work surface creating more space for oversize paperwork or larger projects. The superstructure contains drawers, cubbies, and open shelf space as does the typewriter compartment well to the left of the writing surface. The desk is replete with a perforated, satin chrome file basket which slides out and accommodates Pendaflex file folders while the whole of it rests on a sturdy and stable welded steel frame finished in satin chrome.