George Nakashima, the great woodworker of the mid-20th century, argued that every tree has its own soul, and his mission was to find this “living spirit” and give it a second life. During his career in New Hope, Pennsylvania, he created some of the most original and influential designs of the postwar era.
Path to Wood:
Born in 1905 in Spokane, Washington, Nakashima spent his childhood enamored with the outdoors through his involvement in the Boy Scouts. He studied forestry at the University of Washington and then switched to architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
His passion for wood came not only from his studies, but also from his deep roots in Japanese culture, where wood plays an important role.
During World War II, Nakashima, a Japanese-American, became a prisoner of internment. At the camp, he met Master Hikogawa, who taught him traditional Japanese woodworking techniques. After the war, Antonin Raymond helped free George and gave him work on his farm in New Hope, where he began his workshop.
The workshop is a modest concrete block building with an original frame consisting primarily of local oak and cypress.
Nakashima often chose veneer* to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. His tables featured cracks, patterns, and edges that highlighted the unique features of each tree. He respected the “soul of the tree” and believed that the task of the artisan was to bring it out.
Veneer is a thin sheet of wood produced using special equipment called a veneer splitter. Veneer is produced by peeling thin layers from a log or wood blank. This process produces sheets of wood with a variety of textures and patterns while maintaining the natural beauty of the wood.
His works became popular at auctions, attracting the attention of celebrities. Currently, prices for Nakashi's works are rising rapidly. At Freeman's and Wright auctions, his works sold for thousands of dollars above expected prices.
Some of George Nakashima's works:
George Nakashima's early "Conoid" single arm freeform bench, 1961, American black walnut, hickory. 29-3/4" x 120" x 31-1/2"; 0,500.
Rare Odakyu Table, 1984, English Claro Walnut and American Black Walnut, 20-7/8 x 30 x 30 inches; ,500.
George Nakashima Radio Cabinet, Nakashima Studio, 1962, American black walnut and pandanus, 29-3/4" high x 80-1/2" wide x 21-1/2" deep; ,500.
Set of 6 George Nakashima Conoid Chairs, Nakashima Studio, 1988, American Black Walnut and Hickory, 35-3/4" tall x 20" wide x 21" deep; ,800.
"Conoid" desk by George Nakashima, 1961, English walnut, American black walnut, rosewood and hickory, height 29 inches, length 65 inches, width 37 inches; ,600.
George Nakashima Special Coffee Table "Minguren I", 1979, Oregon myrtle and American black walnut, 18" tall, 51" wide, 24-1/2" deep; ,800.
Folding bed with armrest, 1979, American black walnut, woven canvas, 31" high, 65-1/2" long, 38" wide; ,250.
Legacy and Continuation:
The documentary film “George Nakashima, Woodworker” and his book “The Soul of a Tree: A Master Woodworker's Reflections” help preserve his legacy.
Nakashima didn't just create furniture. He breathed life into every piece of wood, and his philosophy of respect for nature and material lives on in his works, continuing to inspire and delight people around the world.
Source: theguardian.com; antiquetrader.com; nakashimawoodworkers.com.
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