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.
Acid Etched Brass Console by Bernhard Rohne for Mastrrcraft
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in North Canton, OH
Extraordinary 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...
Brass
$225,000
H 31.25 in W 49 in D 15.5 in
Rare Acid-Etched, Patinated Brass, "Chan Li" Cabinet by Philip & Kelvin Laverne
By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare acid-etched, patinated and polychromed brass, pewter and enamel "Chan Li" Cabinet resting on Greek Key form base by Philip & Kelvin Laverne. The sides and top engraved in th...
Brass
$7,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.25 in W 31.5 in D 17.75 in
Pair of Acid-Etched Brass with Ebony Lacquer Dressers by Bernhard Rohne
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in San Diego, CA
An exquisite 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 de...
Brass
$3,895
H 72.5 in W 42 in D 20 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burlwood and Acid Etched Brass Armoire Dresser
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood and Acid Etched Brass Armoire Dresser This armoire measures: 42 wide x 20 deep x 72.5 inches high We take our photos in a contro...
Brass
Bernhard Rohne Acid Etched Brass Dresser for Mastercraft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Acid Etched Brass, Ebonized Wood This striking Mid-Century Modern dresser showcases dramatic acid-etched brass panels by Bernhard R...
Brass
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 102 in D 18 in
Amazing Burled Amboyna Brass Three-Piece Mastercraft Credenza Buffet Chinoiserie
By Mastercraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Amazing burled amboyna and brass three-piece chinoiserie Mastercraft credenza buffet. Wow! is what you will say when you see this stunning thre...
Brass
$2,995
H 26.5 in W 32 in D 18 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Chest of Drawers, 1970s
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency chest of drawers By Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Furniture USA, 1970s Acid etched brass, with black lacquered trim, and original...
Brass
$3,895
H 31 in W 84 in D 20 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Lowboy Dresser
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 84 wide x 20 deep x 31 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Dresser has Areas of ...
Brass
$4,500
H 32.25 in W 78 in D 19 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burl Wood and Acid Etched Brass Dresser
By Bernhardt, Mastercraft
Located in South Bend, IN
A 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...
Brass
Bernhard Rohne Brass Vitrine
Located in Seattle, WA
Single acid etched brass vitrine Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. Brass over wood, mirror back interior, illuminated by two recessed fixture in top.
Brass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid-Etched Brass Credenza
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Oceanside, US
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft acid-etched brass credenza, circa 1970s. The long, architectural case is clad in brass and fitted with richly detailed acid-etched doors in Rohne’s sig...
Brass
$6,900Sale Price|27% Off
H 30 in W 78 in D 21 in
1970s Bernhard Rohne Brass Credenza for Mastercraft, Acid Etched
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Toledo, OH
Brass 6-door credenza by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. This 1970's era credenza features acid etched design work and large brass handles. 78" wide x 21" deep x 30" high. A matchin...
Brass
$8,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 30 in W 78 in D 21 in
Outstanding Acid Etched Brass Credenza by Bernard Rohne Mastercraft
By Bernhard Rohne
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Outstanding Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft credenza sideboard cabinet. Exceptional six-panel acid etched brass credenza with brass pulls housed in a brass frame. Designed by Bernhard...
Brass
Bernhard Rohne Acid Etched Brass Buffet by Mastercraft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Hanover, MA
Sophisticated 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...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 78 in D 20 in
Bernhard Rohne Mastercraft Burled Carpathian Elm and Brass Buffet Server Bar
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in West Hartford, CT
A Berhard Rohne masterwork for Mastercraft. Burled wood is Carpathian elm and there is Greek key like brass throughout. Multiple storage options below.
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 18 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burled Carpathian Elm Buffet or Bar Cart, 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional 1970s bar or tea cart designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. The cart features stunning burled Carpathian elm wood with brass details in a stylized Greek key moti...
Brass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burled Amboyna Credenza
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in South Bend, IN
Exceptional Mid-Century Modern burled amboyna credenza or sideboard designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. The credenza features stunning burled wood grain, sleek Mid-Century de...
Burl, Amboyna
Sold
H 29.5 in W 78 in D 21 in
Mastercraft Cabinet Designed by William Doezema, Elements by Bernhard Rohne
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A Mastercraft cabinet designed by William Doezema with customized acid etched brass elements by Bernhard Rohne.
Brass
Mastercraft Cabinet
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Chicago, IL
Bernard Rohn for Mastercraft Six Door Case. Acid etched doors top and sides {signed Bernard Rohn '73" Antiqued gold interior and back
Brass