Cross-Legged Desk

George Nakashima
Cross-Legged Desk, 1962

Dimensions:
44.25 × 26 × 28.5 in (W x D x H)
112.4 x 66.04 x 72.39 cm

Material: American Black Walnut

A Cross-Legged Desk by George Nakashima. This work reflects an important breakthrough in Nakashima’s design work – the Cross-Legged Base: “During the years from 1957 to 1961, in his own studio furniture Nakashima gradually modified the basic rectangular cut-edge cabinets, benches, and end tables from his early days to maximize the fluid natural tree forms. During this period, two new chair designs emerged, and a new Cross-Legged Base was used in several versions, supporting both small and large tables. The single posts of the early Shaker-like pedestal tables bases expanded into complex, multiple-post variations on the same theme.” (‘Nature, Form, and Spirit’, Mira Nakashima, 2003, p. 172).

The desk’s top in an expressive single board of American Black Walnut with two free edges along the front and back lengths and curved cuts along its edges. The work’s base consists of a bi-lateral cross-legged base and a horizontal stretcher to support the form and accommodate lateral stress. Additionally, a central drawer faces the desk’s user.

“These cross-legged bases reflect a lightness and freedom, whimsy and joy, which must have pervaded Nakashima’s life at the time” (‘Nature, Form, and Spirit’, Mira Nakashima, 2003, p. 174).

“Some of the most creative moments of the poet and prophet must have taken place at a desk, so the desk must be sincere. One must start with a great or modest slab of wood of rich or simple graining. Nothing much more is actually needed, except possibly a small cabinet to store writing necessities” (‘The Soul of a Tree’, George Nakashima, 1981, p.136).

George Nakashima was born in Spokane, Washington in 1905 to Japanese parents who had immigrated to the United States. Educated and trained as an architect at the University of Washington, Nakashima received his Master’s degree in Architecture from M.I.T. in 1930. After working briefly as an architect in the United States he left for Paris seeking the creative energies of one of the great urban centers of the day. From there he traveled extensively, ending up at the home of his grandmother, living on a farm on the outskirts of Tokyo.