George Nakashima

Peace Altar Table
The purchase of an unusually large walnut log in 1984 inspired Nakashima to plan six tables (early sketch above), one for each continent.
courtesy George Nakashima Woodworker

Straight-Backed Chair
Last year Knoll rereleased Nakashima’s 1948 design for the company. The chair is now produced in solid walnut with hickory spindles, but an early prototype was made entirely in birch.

1955 Catalog
Twenty-one new designs were introduced in this publication, comprising freehand pencil drawings on wood sheets.
Courtesy George Nakashima Woodworker

This technique for joining separate or split pieces of wood—a Nakashima hallmark—is traditionally used in Shaker and Japanese designs.
courtesy Ru Amagasu