Skip to main content

Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

American, 1966-2023

Bringing lively newness to weathered and worn found materials, artist and furniture designer Jim Rose mined scrap heaps and junkyards for the metal he used in his furniture, collages and decorative objects. He kept his eyes open for the ideal scraps of aged steel that could be bent and shaped into a base, frame or surface of his next piece, hand-picking off-colored bits to serve as inlays and accents. 

Rose was long associated with the American Studio Craft movement, and many of his one-of-a-kind works can typically be characterized as a venturesome fusion of folk art and modernist design. Each piece, crafted by hand and with fastidious care in his Wisconsin studio, is representative of his work ethic and boundless imagination.

Born in Indiana, Rose studied briefly at Bard College in New York City and earned his BFA in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988. A couple of years earlier, he established his design studio, along with his wife Suzanne — an award-winning photographer — as his partner. During the 1990s, Rose and Suzanne traveled the American Northeast, where he became enamored with Shaker furniture

When Rose returned home, he read every piece of literature he could about the history of the Shakers. The name derives from the popular moniker for an all-but-vanished American religious sect, whose members crafted honest, modest household furniture and objects as part of their belief in purposeful living and simplicity in all things. Rose incorporated Shaker methods into the production of his own designs. Rather than utilize the unpretentious hardwoods that the Shakers preferred, however, Rose worked with discarded materials, fashioning tables, case pieces and decorative objects from repurposed steel and other metals.

In the late 1990s, Rose began to include multi-colored metal into his works — adapting methods used by colonial quiltmakers. His furnishings began to take on a mosaic look, bringing a substantial amount of visual appeal and new charm to each of his distinctive creations. Rose also produced a body of work that drew on Ming dynasty designs.

With numerous showings at Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair in New York City and Chicago, Rose made a name for himself throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had solo and group exhibitions throughout his career, including in Palm Beach, Florida, and Mesa, Arizona — as well as at many other galleries in New York and Chicago. Rose’s work is held in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Racine Art Museum and other institutions.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Jim Rose storage cabinets, tables, and decorative objects.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
42
139
106
82
79
Creator: Jim Rose
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - Chest of Drawers, Solid Cast Iron Miniature
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from solid cast iron with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the drawer pulls, The artis...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Related Items
Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Late 19th Century Pennsylvania Miniature Walnut & Pine Paneled Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Late 19th century miniature two-drawer chest of drawers. With paneled sides and turned feet and knobs. Cosisting of Walnut with a pine secondary and nail construction. Fo...
Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Antique Miniature Folk Art Yellow Painted Dresser Chest of Drawers 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique miniature chest of four drawers, painted in yellow with brown details and red and orange folk art style flowers.
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Miniature Iron Maiden of Nuremberg
Located in Hanover, MA
Miniature "Iron Maiden" in blackened cast metal attached to its original round wood base. The front doors are pin-hinged and open to reveal pointed spikes. At base of doors is printe...
Category

1890s German Gothic Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Georgian Oak Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
An extremely attractive and very good quality late 18th century, Georgian, oak miniature chest, having well figured rectangular top, over two short and three long drawers retaining original turned wooden knobs, flanked by elegant half turned columns, raised on elegant original shaped bracket feet. A beautifully charming little piece of 18th century miniature furniture, constructed from rich, warm oak timbers which retain an exceptional colour and patina, it boasts original handles and feet. Almost certainly it was made as a sample piece of furniture originally. There is regular debate over whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who was looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents. Or whether it was made as a travelling salesman...
Category

Late 18th Century English Georgian Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Oak

Miniature Painted Italian Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Miniature hand painted five drawer chest.
Category

20th Century Italian Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Miniature Painted Italian Chest of Drawers
Miniature Painted Italian Chest of Drawers
H 19.25 in W 13.75 in D 7.75 in
19th Century Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Lovely 19th century Miniature Chest Of Drawers chest of drawers from England Bowfront miniature chest decorated with lemon tree inlays on the drawers and walnut inlays on the top ...
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Miniature Chest of Drawers
19th Century Miniature Chest of Drawers
H 12.6 in W 12.6 in D 8.27 in
Miniature Three Drawer Louis XV Style Chest of Drawers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming three drawer miniature Louis XV style chest of drawers. Place next to a chair as a book rest or drinks table. Would also make a nice jewelry chest.
Category

20th Century Italian Louis XV Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood

George III Mahogany Miniature Chest Of Drawers
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with a caddy top over four drawers with bracket feet. These were made by furniture makers for family members and friends. Also used to promote a cabinetmakers skills.
Category

1770s English George III Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Georgian Yew Wood Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming and rare 18th century Georgian yew wood miniature chest having four long drawers with original brass knobs raised on original shaped bracket feet. (There is often debate as to whether miniature furniture was made as an apprentice piece, which is when a craftsmen who is looking for a job at a workshop would create something to showcase their talents, or whether it was made as a travelling salesman's sample piece, which is when a few articles were made as scale models in advance of a road trip during which a salesman would travel the country showing prospective clients the kind of items they could produce back at the workshop and take orders from. This particular example doesn't really appear to quite fit either of those briefs however and may well have just been made as an individual, one off piece in a provincial workshop. One of the reasons for this is the construction from solid yewwood which is a rarely used material in items any larger than this as the trunks generally don't grow large enough. The overall quality is  excellent and clearly somebody has spent many, many hours  producing this wonderful piece. A really quite charming piece of antique miniature furniture...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Georgian Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Yew

19th Century Victorian Painted Pine Miniature Apprentice Chest of Drawers
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very attractive and charming late 19th century Victorian painted pine miniature chest having two short drawers and two long drawers with original porcelain knobs raised on elega...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

19th Century Nutwood and Bronze Empire Miniature Chiffonier / Chest of Drawers
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted masterpiece from the mid-1800s. This unique, top quality and great condition miniature is an absolute joy to own and look at. Top quality miniatures are hard to find and...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Empire Antique Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze, Brass

Previously Available Items
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - One Door Shaker Inspired Steel Cupboard-Miniature
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from welded steel with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the pull, this tall cabinet is fully functioning with a hinged door and latch. Inside are three shelves. Despite it's small size, it makes quite an impression! Jim Rose Legacy...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color. Jim Rose Structure #174 found steel Measures: 6 H x 2.75 W x 5.88 D in 15.24 H x 6.99 W x 14.92 D cm Jim Rose b. 1966 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds, Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art, Sturgeon Bay, WI 2006 27th Annual Contemporary Crafts, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2006 Containers of All Dimensions, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2005 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2004 Right at Home: American Studio Furniture, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. 2004 American Collections, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2004 More Than Drawers-Wisconsin Cabinets, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2004 Objects of Wonder, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI 2003 Planting, Potting and Pruning, Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine, WI 2003 Men at Work, Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI 2002 Case Pieces: Contemporary Studio Furniture, Elvehjem Museum of Art, Univ of WI-Madison 2002 Sitting Pretty: Contemporary Wisconsin Chairs...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Decorative Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Jim Rose collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.

Jim Rose collectibles and curiosities are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of steel and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original collectibles and curiosities by Jim Rose were created in the folk art style in united states during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Jim Rose collectibles and curiosities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,500 and can go as high as $1,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,500.

Recently Viewed

View All