Pair of Acid-Etched Brass with Ebony Lacquer Dressers by Bernhard Rohne
About the Item
- Creator:Bernhard Rohne (Designer),Mastercraft (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 26.25 in (66.68 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Depth: 17.75 in (45.09 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:
Bernhard Rohne
Widely acclaimed for the range of case pieces he designed for Michigan manufacturer Mastercraft during the 1970s, metal artist and furniture designer Bernhard Rohne has been creating distinctive acid-etched brutalist furnishings, home accessories, sculptures and other works for decades. The German-born Vancouver-based designer’s cabinets, coffee tables, credenzas and more are statement pieces in any interior and can introduce contrast and vigor into living rooms and dining rooms.
Born in Peine, Rohne attended the WKS Hanover art school. It was in his material science class that Rohne immersed a small painted copper plate into a container of acid. After some time, he couldn’t detect whether or not any kind of chemical reaction had taken place, so he left the plate in the acid and went to lunch.
When Rohne returned, yellow clouds had filled the room and the school had to be evacuated. However, when he was able to retrieve the copper plate, Rohne saw that there had indeed been a reaction between the metal and the chemical. The incident, while most definitely dangerous, sparked his interest and set him on a path of material exploration and design that collectors and art enthusiasts continue to celebrate to this day.
Rohne moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1967. During the 1970s, Grand Rapids-based furniture manufacturer Mastercraft — known to collectors of mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency design — partnered with Rohne and produced a large group of case pieces featuring applied brass plaques and panels, acid-etched with forms and patterns that are marked by the influence of Abstract Expressionism and Geometric Abstraction.
For his best known pieces, Rohne worked with brass, aluminum, copper and zinc metal sheets, which he oxidized and etched in order to create fascinating surface panels for his walnut console cabinets and sideboards that, with their patinated bronze and black lacquer doors, are sculptural attention-grabbing works in today’s interiors.
Rohne’s work, like many pieces of brutalist furniture and sculptures designed by him or like-minded metalworker Paul Evans, remains popular with interior designers and can lend unique, eccentric, human notes to an art and design collection in any home.
Find vintage Bernhard Rohne tables, storage pieces and wall decor on 1stDibs.
Mastercraft
Compared to that other furniture-makers in historically minded Grand Rapids, Michigan, the work of Mastercraft seems positively flamboyant. The company was founded in 1947 by brothers Charles and William Doezema, who hailed from a long line of cabinetmakers. They went overseas during their service in World War II, and returned home with a plan to make furniture with cosmopolitan flair. Their firm specialized in chairs and case pieces that have modernized traditional forms, finished in exotic wood veneers such as amboyna, yew, burl and fruitwood, and trimmed in brass. Bureaus and credenzas often feature cabinet fronts with decorative brass details such as silhouettes of flowers and birds, or figures that resemble Chinese characters.
In later years, Mastercraft created chairs and glass-topped coffee tables with brass frames. Some pieces included touches like the Greek key — a motif that appears in the decorative arts of both Asian and European antiquity. After Mastercraft was acquired by industry giant Baker Furniture in 1974, the company produced a large group of case pieces featuring applied brass plaques, acid-etched with semi-abstract forms by the German-born, Vancouver-based artist Bernhard Rohne.
The latter are some of the most popular Mastercraft pieces, and like all the company’s wares range in price from about $2,000 to $12,000 depending on size, condition and the amount of decorative trim. As you will see on 1stDibs, Mastercraft furnishings made a bold but artful statement — perfect for lending a bit of dash and brawn to a contemporary decor.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pair of Acid-Etched Brass with Ebony Lacquer Dressers by Bernhard RohneBy Bernhard Rohne, MastercraftLocated in San Diego, CAAn nice and rare pair of acid-etched brass with ebony lacquer three drawer dressers / commodes by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft, circa 1970s. Covering each case are abstract designs...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Acid-Etched Brass with Ebony Lacquer Coffee Table by Bernhard Rohne MastercraftBy Mastercraft, Bernhard RohneLocated in San Diego, CAAn exquisite and rare acid-etched brass with ebony lacquer rectangular coffee table with beveled glass top by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft, circa 1970s. Covering the table are abst...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- American Mid Century 1950s Petite Dresser with Marble Top by Vista of CaliforniaBy George Nelson, Vista of CaliforniaLocated in San Diego, CApetite small triple drawer dresser, by Vista of California. This piece has been totally restored the metal frame has been resprayed in black, the drawers are original finish in a cre...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMarble, Metal, Chrome
- Dresser or Chest of Drawers by Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball ModernMatesBy Leslie Diamond, Conant BallLocated in San Diego, CAStylish and functional seven-drawer dresser or chest of drawers by Leslie Diamond for the ModernMates collection manufactured by Conant Ball of Massachusetts, circa 1950s. The dresse...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBirch
- Danish Modern Eight-Drawer Teak Dresser by William WattingBy William WattingLocated in San Diego, CAAbsolutely gorgeous Danish modern eight-drawer teak dresser by William Watting, circa 1960s. The piece has been professionally refinished and looks fantastic! It is of superb quality...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Three-Drawer Teak Dresser or Chest by Borge MogensenBy Børge MogensenLocated in San Diego, CAAbsolutely gorgeous Danish modern three-drawer teak dresser / chest by Borge Mogensen, circa 1960s. The piece has been professionally refinished and looks fantastic! It is of superb ...Category
20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Modern Burl and Brass Acid Etched Dresser by Bernhard RohneBy Bernhard Rohne, MastercraftLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning and vintage modern bedroom dresser by Bernhard Rohne features etched brass designs with burl walnut construction. Spacious interio...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
- Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burl Wood and Acid Etched Brass Dresser, 1970sBy Mastercraft, Bernhard RohneLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency triple dresser or credenza By Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Furniture USA, 1970s Burled Carpathian elm wood, with acid etched bras...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Chest of Drawers and MirrorBy Mastercraft, Bernhard RohneLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chest of drawers with matching wall mirror By Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Furniture USA, 1970s Acid etched brass, with bla...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Brass and Burl Wood Dresser for Mastercraft by Bernhard RohneBy Bernhard Rohne, MastercraftLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis Mastercraft dresser features acid-etched designs, unique brass pulls, and quality vintage construction. Wonderful burl wood finish adds to th...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Bernhard Rohne Acid Etched Brass Buffet by MastercraftBy Bernhard Rohne, MastercraftLocated in Hanover, MASophisticated artistic metal craft sideboard credenza by Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft circa 1974 with a most beautiful patina reminiscent of the work of Philip & Kelvin Laverne. Pat...Category
Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Sideboards
MaterialsBrass
- Acid Etched Brass Console by Bernhard Rohne for MastrrcraftBy Mastercraft, Bernhard RohneLocated in Hartville, OHExtraordinary piece and the most recognized and converted in the entire Acid Etched collection from Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. It’s a work of Art. Condition Disclosure: Please...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsBrass