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 Etched Brass Bar Cart by Bernhard Rohne
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Bar cart was designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. We replaced the glass shelves with tempered glass. Most of the brass has been polished. The black lacquered oval insets are...
Brass
$1,677Sale Price|40% Off
H 24.5 in Dm 21 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Trefoil Trifoliate Clover Pedestal Drum Table
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Mastercraft trefoil trifoliate clover shaped pedestal drum table base in original lacquered faux parchment finish with double band o...
Brass
$265Sale Price|70% Off
H 29.62 in W 34 in D 19.87 in
Mastercraft Limed Burlwood Brass Drop-Leaf Serving Cart
By Mastercraft
Located in Miami, FL
Mastercraft limed burlwood brass drop-leaf serving cart. Offered for swale is a Mastercraft mid-century drop leaf serving cart in limed burlwood vene...
Brass
$2,850Sale Price|26% Off
H 24.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid-Etched Brass Lamp Table or Side Table, 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 1970s brass lamp / side table or game table base (with glass top) features acid-etched artistry by Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft. Similar to the 'Trilobi' tables, also by Master...
Brass
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 29 in Dm 54 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Hexagonal Pedestal Table
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Chicago, IL
Artistic Mastercraft hexagonal pedestal table base finished in brass corners and Bernhard Rohne acid etched panels mounted to a wood frame. Th...
Glass
$4,800
H 15.36 in Dm 51.19 in
Stunning 1970s 'Mastercraft', Acid Etched Brass Table by Sculptor Bernhard Rohne
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Beautiful 1970s acid etched brass coffee table in a highly attractive octagon form by sculptor Bernard Rohne for 'Mastercraft', U.S.A. This artisan crafted table features a beauti...
Brass
Brass Dining Table by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Brass drum table base beautifully designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. Tremendous beveled edge glass top with faceted edges. Would make a great entry foyer table base as well.
Brass
$5,886
H 17.72 in W 40.56 in D 40.56 in
Mid Century Modern Bernhard Rohne Mastercraft Acid Etched Coffee Cocktail Table
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Mid-Century Modern Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched drinks coffee table. Please note the del...
Brass
$7,800
H 17.5 in W 39 in D 39 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Metal & Glass Brutalist Coffee Table
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A one of a kind Brutalist style Mastercraft coffee table by Artist Bernhard Rohne features acid etched brass panels set into an ebonized wood table frame with brass piping and temper...
Metal, Brass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Coffee Table
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Germantown, MD
Stunning Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft coffee table clad in brass and Bernhard Rohne's acid etched banding. Beautiful high quality glass top. Measures 45" round and 16.5" tall.
Brass
Mastercraft 1960s Rolling Bar Cart with Mirrored Glass Bottle Holder
By Mastercraft
Located in Westport, CT
Mastercraft all original mirrored brass and glass bar rolling cart, mirrored glass gilt trim, with bottle compartment.
Brass
Mid Century Modern Solid Brass Oval Tea Cart Rolling Bar
By Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice quality craftsmanship mid century modern solid brass tea cart.
Brass
$8,800
H 29.5 in W 43.5 in D 70 in
Bernhard Rohne Acid Etched Expandable Dining Table with Cabriolet Brass Legs
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Mid century brutalist acid etched expandable dining table by designer Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. All of Rohne's pieces are one of a kind each with distinctive acid etched golden...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 38 in D 22 in
Vintage Acid Etched Brass and Glass Bar Cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Imagine hosting your friends and family with this stunning vintage acid-etched brass bar cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft, crafted in the 1970s. This exquisite piece features a...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 32 in D 19.5 in
Vintage Burl Wood and Brass Bar Cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning vintage burl wood and brass bar produced in the United States, circa 1970s. Created by the renowned designer Bernhard Rohne and manufactured by Mastercraft, this bar cart ex...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 35 in D 22 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass and Glass Bar Cart, circa 1970
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely executed oval bar cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. Featuring black lacquered and acid etched wrapped brass panels displaying an abstract freeform design. The cart ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.63 in W 34 in D 18.63 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burl Wood and Etched Brass Bar Cart Server
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency extending bar cart or server By Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Furniture USA, 1970s Burled Carpathian elmwood, with etched br...
Brass
Sold
H 32 in W 37.25 in D 22 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass and Glass Bar Cart, circa 1970
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely executed oval bar cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. Featuring black lacquered and acid etched wrapped brass panels displaying an abstract freeform design. The cart ...
Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 37 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Modern Bernard Rohne Mastercraft Acid Etched Serving Bar Cart, 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an incredible, acid etched, rolling bar or serving cart, with a gold chinoiserie design, and two tiers of glass, by Bernard Rohne for Mastercraft, circa ear...
Glass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Bar Cart
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Miami, FL
A Hollywood Regency black lacquered wood, acid etched brass and glass rolling, two-tier oval serving trolley, designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft in the 1970s. The bar or tea ...
Brass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Etched Brass Bar Cart
By Bernhard Rohne
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1970s acid etched brass bar cart designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft.
Brass
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Bar Cart, circa 1970
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exquisitely executed oval bar cart by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. Featuring black lacquered and acid etched wrapped brass panels by Bernhard Rohne displaying an abstract free for...
Brass
Sold
H 24.25 in W 32 in D 19.5 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Acid Etched Brass Side Table, circa 1970s
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Peabody, MA
Two-tiered side table designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft, with abstract acid etched decoration on brass panels, affixed to a lacquered wood frame. Would make an excellent (st...
Brass
Mastercraft Etched Brass Bar Cart by Bernhard Rohne
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Bar cart was designed by Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft. We replaced the glass with quality tempered and mirror glass. All brass has been polished and repainted. The black lacquered ...
Sold
H 29.5 in W 30 in D 18 in
Bernhard Rohne for Mastercraft Burled Carpathian Elm Buffet or Bar Cart, 1970s
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne
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