What is Conoid Furniture?

For collectors and appreciators of studio craft furniture, surely the term “Conoid” has come up in their research and browsing of great works. This term is highly specific and belongs to a collection of pieces by George Nakashima. In this article, we will explain what conoid furniture is, what makes conoid furniture special, and provide some information about George Nakashima.

Defining and Distinguishing “Conoid” Furniture

The namesake of the Conoid furniture line comes from a bespoke studio on the premises of the Nakashima Homestead in New Hope, Pennsylvania, the Nakashima family’s home, inspiration, and workplace since its purchase in 1945. On the slopes of Bucks County’s Aquetong Road, the homestead was erected with a workshop and storefront as well as the family home. As time passed, more buildings were constructed on the property, including the Conoid Studio.

Beginning in 1957 and finishing in 1959, the Conoid Studio was built to unique and ambitious specifications, the “tour de force of Nakashima’s warped-shell experiments” and the sole example of these experiments built with reinforced concrete. It features south-facing glass walls and serves as Nakashima’s Design Department home base and a place for clients to choose their own tabletops from smaller slabs. When the studio was completed, Nakashima applied the term Conoid to furniture designs that he created while he was building the studio. The Conoid designs marked a seamless, yet significant, shift in his work. His architectural training became clearly apparent and was often foregrounded in his designs.

Several pieces in the Conoid line are hallmarked by the cantilever, a unique structural and design choice in which all of an object’s weight is supported only on one end of the piece. Unlike a lever, the cantilever does not move when it experiences pressure—it simply experiences a shear stress and redistributes the load. The cantilever is utilized quite often across a variety of structures, including everything from buildings and machinery to street signs and dental bridges. It is far less often seen in furniture, originally pioneered by Bauhaus designers. Since then, Nakashima’s Conoid Chair has become one of the most respected and famous pieces of cantilevered furniture.

In addition to the cantilever, the Conoid line is notable for its highly modernist and architectural aesthetic, as inspired by the curvature of both the Conoid Studio’s unique facade and Nakashima’s interest in geometric forms. The name and design each evoke Nakashima’s history in architecture and ongoing dedication to preserving the natural forms of each cut of wood.

Conoid Furniture Line by George and Mira Nakashima

The Conoid works of George Nakashima include several different types of furniture. Conoid chairs, tables of varying sizes and functions, benches, and even 2 rugs produced in partnership with Edward Fields in 1959. The original “Conoid I” rug is still displayed in the Conoid Studio today. In 2013, the Fields’ Studio revisited the designs in close collaboration with Mira Nakashima, leading to the 8’ x 10’ “Conoid II” rug.

Examples of Conoid Furniture

Below you will find some examples of Conoid Furniture, all of which are available for purchase through Moderne Gallery.

George Nakashima
Conoid Dining Table, 1984
Dimensions:
70 × 42.5 × 28.5 in (W x D x H)
177.8 x 107.95 x 72.39 cm
Material: American Black Walnut, Rosewood

George Nakashima x Edward Fields
Conoid I
Dimensions:
96 × 120 in (D x H)
243.84 x 304.8 cm
Material: Wool, silk, flax and sisal imbue

George Nakashima
Exceptional Conoid Dining Table, 1970
Dimensions:
108 × 40 × 29.25 in (W x D x H)
274.32 x 101.6 x 74.3 cm
Material: American black walnut

George Nakashima
Conoid Side Table, 1984
Dimensions:
28 × 21 × 21 in (W x D x H)
71.12 x 53.34 x 53.34 cm
Material: American black walnut

George Nakashima
Conoid Chair, 1959-89
Dimensions:
19 × 21 × 35.5 in (W x D x H)
48.26 x 53.34 x 90.17 cm
American black walnut with hickory spindles.

George Nakashima Furniture at Moderne Gallery

Moderne Gallery is proud to be a leading authenticator and purveyor of Nakashima furniture, including the Conoid furniture line. We offer classic pieces from George and Mira Nakashima’s iconic catalogues. To learn more and browse our offerings, visit our website.