Rare Alexander Girard Side Table in Blue Pearl Granite for Herman Miller

Alexander Girard, alongside legends like Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson, redefined postwar American design. While his peers often leaned into the austere, Girard brought the soul—infusing Modernism with a playful sense of color, texture, and pattern. Famous for his textiles designs, Girard also designed a small range of furniture for Herman Miller and Braniff Airways which was produced for only a short time.  

This original side table is a stunning testament to that creative exuberance. Custom-designed for Braniff International Airways, this isn't just a piece of furniture; it’s a fragment of aviation and design history. Rare piece of Herman Miller history often seen only in museum collections. 

Why This Piece Stands Out:

• The Stone: Our particular example features a striking Blue Pearl Granite top, dancing with white and blue flecks that truly come alive when caught in the light. 

• Italian-made stone tops were a hallmark of the higher-end production.

• The stone features distinct, reflective "eyes" or "pearls" of labradorite. These create a holographic, blue-silver shimmer against a dark charcoal background. 

• Authentic Pedigree: Unlike later reissues, this base is crafted from welded die-cast aluminum, maintaining the structural integrity of the original design. It also retains the original Herman Miller logo attached to the underside. As well as a made in Italy stamp on the Granite.

• Although the raw stone was likely quarried in Norway, Italy has historically been the world's primary hub for high-end stone finishing and fabrication, explaining the "Made in Italy" stamp found on authentic vintage Herman Miller tables.

• The Braniff Shockmount: This table features the original shockmount—a rare technical detail found only on the first production batch specifically commissioned for Braniff Airway.

This is a truly exceptional find for the serious Alex Girard collector or anyone looking to anchor a room with a piece of Mid-Century history.

Dimensions: 19.75 “W x 19.75” x 20.25 H