George Nakashima 'Slab' Coffee Table in English Walnut

George Nakashima for George Nakashima Studio, 'Slab' coffee table, English walnut, United States, 1964

American woodworker and designer George Nakashima demonstrates his mastery of craft with this quintessential coffee table. Created as a custom piece in 1964, the table is designed to celebrate the unique character of the wooden slab that forms its top. Executed in English walnut – a rarely used material within his practice – the table emphasizes the distinctive character of the slab through its free-flowing edges. The grain is more subtle and the tone of the wood is more even, giving it a more serene expression. The top itself is also more linear compared to other pieces by Nakashima, which often feature more pronounced organic edges. Therefore, the top merges elegantly with the base’s stark simplicity. The asymmetrical composition further enhances the piece’s visual strength and timeless appeal.

Biography
George Nakashima (1905-1990) was a well-known woodworker, architect and furniture designer from Japanese descendants. He was born in Spokane, Washington and enrolled in the University of Washington program in architecture. After his graduation in 1931, he decided to live his life as a bohemian in France. Afterwards, he spent some time in North Africa and eventually settled in Japan for some time. There, he started working for Antonin Raymond, who was an American architect. While working for Raymond, Nakashima extensively toured Japan while trying to understand the Japanese architecture and design. Around 1940, Nakashima decided to leave Japan and returned to the US. However, like many others with a Japanese ancestry, he was interned during World War Two and sent to Camp Minidoka in Idaho. There, Nakashima met a master woodcarver who tutored him in Japanese crafting techniques. From him, he learned to master traditional Japanese hand tools and joinery techniques. From here onwards, he began to use woodworking with discipline and patience, striving towards perfection in his designs. In 1943, he was released from the camp and invited by Antonin Raymond to live in his farm in New Hope, Pennsylvania. During this period, New Hope formed the home port for many great designers such as Phillip Lloyd Powell and Paul Evans. Nakashima was a very spiritual and philosophical designer. The basis of Nakashima's work was derived from his practice of integral yoga. Therefore, primary goal of Nakashima's work was to live in harmony with nature rather than to destroy it for their own use. Above all, Nakashima wanted to embody a message to all modern societies that we must constantly remember the eternal in all that we do. He often said of his own work that he gave trees a second life. His designs are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and are often 'signed' with dovetails and butterfly connections. With these ideas in mind, Nakashima created his own style based on Japanese designs and shop practices, combined with the American and International Modern Styles. Therefore, he became one of the best 20th century American Art furniture designers.