Skip to main content

Gilbert Rohde Furniture

American, 1894-1944

Pioneering self-taught industrial designer, writer and teacher Gilbert Rohde helped define the earliest phase of modernism in the United States. He is one of the most influential figures of 20th-century design and is credited with helping legendary mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.

Born in New York City, Rohde studied painting at the Art Students League after high school. He found lucrative employment, first as a political cartoonist and then as a catalog illustrator for American department stores. He was particularly enthralled with drawing furnished interiors.

Rohde began to design furniture in his spare time. He traveled to the Bauhaus school in Germany and the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, and drew on the Art Deco movement and the work of designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann in his early pieces. Rohde opened his own studio in 1929 and secured private and commercial commissions. His clients would come to include formidable furniture makers Heywood-Wakefield and Troy Sunshade, and his innovative bentwood furnishings for them were practical and intended for the modern consumer.

In 1930, Rohde met Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree in the company’s Michigan showroom during a business trip. By then, Rohde had a long list of prominent clients and his furniture had been exhibited in museums and galleries. Herman Miller was weathering a devastating slowdown in business, and the American furniture industry had generally been hit hard by the Great Depression.

Rohde boldly informed De Pree that the brand’s furniture had become outdated, which was part of the reason the company was in financial jeopardy. Homes had become smaller and could no longer accommodate the large Gothic– and Victorian–style furnishings and traditional reproductions of period bedroom suites that Herman Miller was offering at the time, Rohde explained.

Rohde secured a contract to design for the Michigan manufacturer. He championed the use of exotic woods and tubular steel, and created streamlined, unadorned bedroom furniture for Herman Miller — collections that included convenient vanities, which were unconventional pieces for De Pree’s company back then.

In 1933, Rohde oversaw the design of two bedrooms featuring sleek Herman Miller furniture — including innovative storage pieces he designed — as part of an International–style exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The installation garnered acclaim for De Pree’s brand all over the world and afforded Rohde the opportunity to execute on his visionary ideas in front of a global audience. Rohde later designed lighting, seating and more for Herman Miller and was extensively involved in the company's marketing strategy and other areas of the business.

In 1942, Herman Miller, anticipating a postwar economic boom, began to produce office furniture for the first time, but its legacy is in the home. Working with legendary designers such as Ray and Charles Eames, Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard, the manufacturer fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style.

Find vintage Gilbert Rohde coffee tables, lounge chairs, table lamps and other items on 1stDibs.

4
to
4
4
4
4
3
4
4
2
2
4
2
2
2
1
4
4
59
13
11
9
8
Creator: Gilbert Rohde
Dealer: Modest Designs
Gilbert Rohde 'Paldao Group' Modular Bookcase System
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare 3-piece storage system, one of the earliest modular furniture designs, veneered in exotic Paldao burl door-fronts and figured Paldao sides. The dark stain finish is original and beautiful, with a rich rosewood color. The drop-down secretary door is set with an elegantly cast brass knob, and opens to a hidden desk...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rare Pair Gilbert Rohde #3770 Six-Drawer Dressers
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare design for Herman Miller features a curved case in opulent tropical wood veneer with sold hardwood handles, in a masculine streamlined design, with the surprising addition ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Stainless Steel

Gilbert Rohde Paldao Secretary Display Case for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bookcase with drop-front secretary desk and storage drawers in paldao wood. Glass dividers separate storage compartments, and cork-lined back. Retains Herman Miller tag. Great origin...
Category

1940s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Paldao

Early Gilbert Rohde Console
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Fantastic example of early American Modern Age design. Chromed steel base, with demilune cork and mahogany top is the epitome of jazz-age experim...
Category

1930s American Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Cork

Related Items
Six-Drawer Bamboo and Cane British Colonial Style Dresser or Chest.
Located in Bellport, NY
A handcrafted six-drawer dresser of bamboo and cane, all drawers are on slides. for easy handling, woven cane fronts and bamboo frames. A transitional and neutral piece that works...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish British Colonial Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Cane

Gilbert Rohde Dresser 4041 Kroehler New York World's Fair 1940 Two-Tone 44" long
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Designer : Gilbert Rohde Model ; Dresser 4041 Honeymoon Furniture for Young America, Maker : Kroehler Exhibited : 'America at Home' at the New York World's Fair 1940. Created by Gilbert Rohde, 1940's foremost furniture designer, expressly to demonstrate modern living displayed in the 'America at Home' building at the New York World's Fair 1940. Honeymoon furniture by Kroehler is outstanding in contemporary furniture design. Notice its space saving compactness, its sturdiness, its freedom from dirt catching corners. Honeymoon furniture offers comfort, convenience and economy never before possible in the small home or apartment The use of two different coloured woods to create a two-tone effect is very striking and complements the simple form. This unusual chest of drawers is a signature piece that injects character into any interior. The raised sides sit proud of the top elevating the chest creating an elegant tray effect. The front is fitted with three drawers with original wooden knobs in contrasting dark brown laurel. The sides have a projecting section of contrasting dark brown laurel at the front which defines the form. Inverted triangular feet. "Kroehler Made" metal tag. Designer unknown. Kroehler In 1902, Peter E. Kroehler bought the Naper ville Lounge Co., a maker of wooden lounge chairs and upholstered furniture. Kroehler built a new factory in Naperville in 1913 after the original facility was destroyed by a tornado. Soon thereafter, he renamed the company Kroehler Manufacturing Co. This enterprise soon operated across the country and employed several hundred men and women in the Chicago area. By the middle of the 1940s, with over $20 million in annual sales, Kroehler was the second-largest furniture maker in the United States. During the 1960s, when the company employed close to 8,000 people around the country, annual revenues passed $100 million. The company struggled during the 1970s, closing its historic Naperville factory in 1978 and ending its operations in the area. In 1981 Kroehler was acquired by the ATR Group of Northbrook, which put the company up for sale. By the early 2000s, furniture was still manufactured under the Kroehler name by two unrelated companies, one in North Carolina and the other in Ontario, Canada. Gilbert Rhode : American, 1894 - 1944 Gilbert Rohde (1894-1944) is best known for helping to create the modern design at Herman Miller Inc. Gilbert Rohde furniture design was focused on mass production and bringing modern products to the greatest number of consumers. He is also credited with designing the first examples of biomorphic furniture in America-which would ultimately shape mid century modernism. US industrial designer, born in New York. He became familiar with cabinetmaking in his father's shop. He studied at the Art Students League and Grand Central School of Art in New York. Early work was as a drama and music critic, cartooninst, reporter, and furniture illustrator. He traveled to France and Germany in 1927 and was inspired by modernism. He opened his own office in New York in 1927, designing furniture and showrooms, and consulting with manufacturers like General Electric and Hudson Motor Car Company. In 1931 HeywoodWakefield Company introduced a compact armless leatherette side chair with bentwood rear legs designed by Rohde, which sold 250,000 over the next eight years. Rohde also developed a later version for the Herman Miller Furniture Company, which was sold dis-assembled and made by what Rohde called an "automobile type of assembly." By 1929 he had established a relationship with D.J. Depree, president of the Herman Miller Furniture Company in Zeeland, MI and prepared some designs for him. Dupree appointed him director of design there in 1932 as part of his decision to shift the company’s orientation from traditional to modern design. His first modern design for the company, a No. 2185 Group bedroom suite was shown at the Chicago Century of Progress. Also in 1932, Rohde exhibited his furniture designs in a "Design for Machine" exhibit in Philadelphia, along with designs of Russel Wright. The Herman Miller Clock...
Category

1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Birdseye Maple

1930s Art Deco Bookshelf in the Manner of Gilbert Rohde Refinished
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
1930s Art Deco Bookcase, in the manner of Gilbert Rohde, American, circa 1930s. This came from the same estate as the Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller desk...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Metal

Finn Juhl Rosewood Modular Bookcase System
By Finn Juhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rosewood "Diplomat" model modular bookcase system, designed by Finn Juhl for France and Sons, Denmark, circa 1960s. This set is extremely versatile and can be laid out any way you li...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Metal, Chrome

George III Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
With architectural broken pediment cornice over a pair of mirror doors opening to a fitted interior, the base with hinged slant lid with red leather surface opening to a fitted inter...
Category

1770s English George III Antique Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
George III Mahogany Bureau Bookcase
H 94.25 in W 40.5 in D 23.25 in
Custom English Walnut Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
Veneered in the finest walnut burl, this demilune / console has straight-grain crossbanding and inlays of satinwood. The lightly tapered legs are a Classic look, but allow this table...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Georgian Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Burl, Satinwood

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Elegant Georgian style cabinet with classical pediment, geometric glazing bars over the twin doors with three adjustable shelves within, the lower section with a fall front, fully li...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese George III Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
George III Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
H 88.5 in W 40.75 in D 22 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Group Bookcases, Newly Refinished
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern bookcase cabinets Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller "Paldao Group" USA, 1940s Exotic book-matched pald...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Glass, Paldao

Bond Burled Wood Six-Drawer Dresser
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly Chic. From our chic burled wood collection—warm mappa wood floats between acrylic legs with stainless steel accents. Six generous drawers showcas...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Lucite, Wood, Burl

Bond Burled Wood Six-Drawer Dresser
Bond Burled Wood Six-Drawer Dresser
H 32 in W 52.5 in D 18 in
Custom English Mahogany Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
This inlaid demilune / console features a radial top with satinwood crossbanding and ebony stringing. A central fan medallion of satinwood offers a fitting balance to the outside ban...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Olive, Ebony, Mahogany

Grosfeld House Secretary Bookcase by Lorin Jackson
By Grosfeld House, Lorin Jackson
Located in Hanover, MA
Lorin Jackson for Grosfeld House 1940s cabinet bookcase in mahogany featuring a pull-out secretary with writing surface. Distinctive Grosfeld "Glassic" Lucite ring pulls with sunbu...
Category

1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Brass

Custom English Satinwood Demilune / Console
Located in Woodbury, CT
Handmade for us by our English craftsmen, this little demilune / console shines with the reflective qualities inherent in satinwood. Light dances off the grain and gives the surface ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Georgian Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Olive, Rosewood

Previously Available Items
Gilbert Rohde Model # 3770 Nightstand
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rarely seen nightstand by Gilbert Rohde in beautifully figured burled rosewood with thin steel pulls. Features one drawer and a larger lower compartment. Model # 3770 for Herman Miller.
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Steel

Gilbert Rohde Model # 3770 Nightstand
Gilbert Rohde Model # 3770 Nightstand
H 27.25 in W 16 in D 13.75 in
Gilbert Rohde East Indian Laurel Bookshelf
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This rare three-tiered open étagère for the Herman Miller Furniture Company has beautifully figured East Indian Laurel veneer connected by two brass colum...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Gilbert Rohde East Indian Laurel Secretary Cabinet
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1934. From the desirable East Indian Laurel Group, this line exemplified chic American Art Deco. With ebonized lacquered trim and nickel plated hardware. Top drawer folds down into pull-out desk with cubbies...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Wood

Gilbert Rohde East Indian Laurel Secretary Cabinet
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1934. From the desirable East Indian Laurel Group, this line exemplified chic American Art Deco. With ebonized lacquered trim and nickel plated hardware. Top drawer folds down into pull-out desk with cubbies...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Rare Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Dresser
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very early Gilbert Rohde tall chest showcases the streamlined glamour of American Art Deco. White Holly cabinet inlaid with black walnut, bakelite handles and chromed tube metal base...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Materials

Holly

Rare Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Dresser
Rare Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Dresser
H 46 in W 33 in D 18.5 in
Complementary Pair of Gilbert Rohde Chests w/Secretary
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Great early pair of Gilbert Rohde cabinets with high-Jazz Age style. Ebonized Mahogany cabinets on brushed aluminum legs. Asymmetrical inset handles provide most of the Art Deco desi...
Category

1930s American Vintage Gilbert Rohde Furniture

Gilbert Rohde furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Gilbert Rohde furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Gilbert Rohde furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Gilbert Rohde were created in the Art Deco style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Norman Bel Geddes, Sally Sirkin Lewis, and Leo Jiranek. Prices for Gilbert Rohde furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10 and can go as high as $55,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,200.

Recently Viewed

View All