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.
Bernhard E. Rhone Oxidized Metal Etching
By Bernhard Rohne
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bernhard Rhone Oxidized Metal Etching c.1970s, Canada. Rhone, a German born artist began experimenting with metal oxidation and acid etching in the late 1960s to create a body of wor...
Metal
$1,800 / set
H 11.5 in W 11.5 in D 1.25 in
Set 2 Bernhard Rohne Vintage Acid Etched Brass Owl & Frog Panel Framed Fine Art
By Bernhard Rohne
Located in Miami, FL
Here we offer 2 original vintage handcrafted acid etched brass metal owl and frog art pieces. Both are framed and have the original paper back label with the Models on the reverse. The frog is the symbol of prosperity, and the owl is symbol of the ghost spirit by the Haida Pacific Northwest Coast...
Brass
1927 Etching of Bowling Green Park New York by Anton Schutz
By Anton Schutz
Located in Chicago, IL
This signed etching of Bowling Green Park was done by Anton Schutz. It is dated 1927. It depicts a bustling scene in the Financial District of Lower Manh...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$275Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 12.01 in D 0.04 in
Vintage Color Etching of Brussels 'Belgium' by R. Hebbelinck, circa 1950
Located in Langweer, NL
This etching shows Maison du Roi, Brussels, Belgium. Roger Hebbelinck (1912-1987) was a Belgian artist, well-known for his etchings. Numbered 310/350.
Paper
$664Sale Price|40% Off
H 15.75 in W 16.34 in D 0.6 in
Antique Etching of a Grazing Cow by Van Troostwijk, Framed, 1810
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique etching of a grazing cow by Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk. Wouter Johannes van Troostwijk was a Dutch painter and etcher. Most of his works ar...
Paper
c.1830 Exquisite Antique English Etching Artist Proof
Located in Highwood, IL
English etching artist proof. The bottom reads as follows: Printed by Henry Fradelle and engraved by Thomas Lupton. Rebecca and Ivanhoe AS THE WOUNDED KNIGHT WAS ABOUT TO ADDRESS THIS FAIR APPARITION SHE IMPOSED SILENCE BY PLACING HER SLENDER FINGER UPON HER RUBY LIPS...
Paper
Josef Albers "Formulation : Articulation" Portfolio II, Folder 22
By Josef Albers
Located in Chicago, IL
JOSEF ALBERS (1888 – 1976) "Formulation : Articulation" Portfolio II, Folder 22 Screen-printed geometric composition printed by Ives Stillman, Inc., New Haven, CT. From the set of 12...
Paper
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 34.63 in W 39.63 in D 1.63 in
Large Framed Color Lithograph Women Horse Riders and Dancers Signed
Located in Miami, FL
A fine original color lithograph, depicting women horse riders and dancers will enhance any contemporary or modern setting. Signed by the artist on the lower right, Roy W. Name unidentified. This decorative art piece is Titled " Solstice II". The vibrant blue, white, terra cotta and mustard colors will enhance any setting. Measures: 39 5/8" Wide x 34 5/8" High x 1 5/8" Deep Ready to hang this large framed color lithograph...
Glass, Paper
$412Sale Price|25% Off
H 20 in W 25.5 in D 0.5 in
Etching Mark Catesby, Anas Bahamensis 'the Ilathera Duck' Chrysanthemum &C T93
By Mark Catesby
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Etching Mark Catesby, Anas Bahamensis (The Ilathera Duck) Chrysanthemum &c T93. Wonderful print by the “Founder of American Ornithology”, Mark Catesby, from his 18th century monumental Natural History, the first natural history of American flora and fauna. A later small edition etching original hand coloring. Plate imprint on the paper. Later frame, back unopened. This is one of the finest natural science prints...
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
$139Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.2 in
Pl. 27 Antique Print of Persian Design from Engraved Metal, Racinet 'circa 1890'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Persian -Persan-Persisch'. Chromolithograph of Design from engraved and inlaid metal ornaments. This print originates from 'l'Ornement Polychrome' by Auguste Ra...
Paper
$139Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.2 in
Pl. 67 Antique Print of Russian Motifs from Engraved and Chased Metal by Racinet
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Russian - Russe - Russische'. Chromolithograph of motifs from engraved and chased metal ornaments. This print originates from 'l'Orne...
Paper
$139Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.34 in W 11.42 in D 0.2 in
Antique Print of Japanese Metal Decorations Ornaments by Racinet
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Japanese - Japonais - Japonesisch'. Chromolithograph of Japanese metal decorations ornaments. This print originates from 'l'Orneme...
Paper
‘Floral Still Life’ Lithigraph by Ira Moskowitz
Located in Trensacq, FR
‘Floral Still Life’ by Ira Moskowitz (1912-2001) Large, Hand-signed Artist Proof. A good quality, mid-century lithograph in excellent condition, beautifully presented and professio...
Plexiglass, Wood, Paper