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 Acid Etched Armchair in Brass by Bernhard Rohne, circa 1970's
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Troy, MI
Bernhard Rohne Mastercraft Acid Etched Armchair Rare armchair designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft circa 1970s Brass frame with sloped tufted seat in original champagne velvet...
Brass
Pair of Leather Armchairs Roche & Bobois circa 1970
By Roche Bobois
Located in Grenoble, FR
A pair of beautiful armchair with new leather in perfect condition Roche& Bobois 1970 stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
$2,900
H 27 in W 27.5 in D 26 in
Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Barrel Back Lounge Chair by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic well built asian inspired lounge chair produced by Mastercraft in the early 1970s. It features a heavy brass framing with the original decorator fabric. Ready for use.
Brass
$15,000 / set
H 31.25 in W 23.75 in D 21.5 in
Brass and Silk Greek Key Armchairs by Mastercraft Set of Four
By Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
Set of four Brass and Silk Greek Key Armchairs by Mastercraft. The chairs have silk upholstery.
Brass
$8,930Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 36.75 in W 21 in D 21 in
Greek Key Brass & Velvet Dining Chairs by Mastercraft, c. 1970 Italy, Set of 6
By Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and sought after set of six dining chairs by Mastercraft, crafted in the 1970s and featuring the iconic Greek Key motif in patinated brass. These sculptural chairs are a q...
Brass
Pair of Bronze Base Armchairs by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of armchairs by Mastercraft. Manufactured manufactured in Spain in the 1970s. This pair does need to be rebuilt and reaupulstered. Is excellen...
Brass, Bronze
$3,176Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.56 in W 29.14 in D 27.56 in
Pair of Scandinavian armchairs in pine circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A scandinavian pair of pine and fabric armchairs circa 1970
Pine
$4,118
H 27 in W 25 in D 21.5 in
Metallic Cowhide in Zebra Print Brass and Leather Armchair by Mastercraft
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautiful and heavy, finished with a zebra print cowhide leather with gold metallic spots. This is a perfect single accent chair. Heavy and sturdy.
Brass
$3,974Sale Price / set|41% Off
H 36.62 in W 26.78 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Vintage Armchairs, French, circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice pair of vintage armchairs is made of clear wood and fabric. This is a French work, circa 1970.
Fabric, Wood
Suite of 6 bamboo armchairs circa 1970
Located in Mouscron, WHT
suite of 6 bamboo armchairs circa 1970 the cushions are missing, very stable armchairs with small discolorations the price is for 6, possibility of purchasing by pairs
Bamboo
$4,186 / item
H 32.68 in W 27.17 in D 31.5 in
Vienna Lounge Armchair, in natural Beech and straw; Acid Green Upholstered Seat
By Emmanuel Gallina
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Vienna longue A living room armchair in wood and straw, that recalls the exclusive club atmosphere but in a contemporary key. Vienna is an extraordinarily comfortable and elegant lounge armchair designed by Emmanuel Gallina who loves to quote Brancusi when saying that “simplicity is complexity resolved”. Inspired by Vienna at the end of the 19th century, then up to the 1950s by Marcel Gascoin, through the visions of the American E.J. Brussel. A tribute to Alfred Sloan’s American pragmatism joined to European styling and, in this particular case, to the renowned Italian talent constantly aiming to harmonize beauty and functionality. In solid beech and straw, Vienna is a perfect combination between digital machines and handcraft. The structure is in solid beech. The back and sides in hand-braided Vienna straw fixed in a milling. Cushions in polyurethane foam in different densities. Removable lining in different fabric categories: cotton, felt, linen, eco-leather, wool, velvet or can be coated with C.O.M. fabric. Optional 2nd cushion available. Finishing is in natural beech or beech painted walnut Canaletto. In the Vienna collection...
Upholstery, Beech
Stateville Ross Upholstered Maple Armchairs, circa 1970s, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Pair of stateville ross upholstered maple armchairs, Circa 1970s. Seats in good condition. Clean striped upholstery. Measurements: 24"W x 26"D x 35"H arm height is 26", seat height i...
Upholstery, Maple
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 31 in W 28 in D 24 in
Mastercraft Asian Inspired Faux Bamboo Brass Lounge Chair, Mid-Century
By Mastercraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Asian-inspired Mastercraft modern lounge chair with brass frame and vintage cushions. The curved brass arms and back are faux bamboo, with horizontally scrolled...
Brass