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
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
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
$1,245
H 12 in W 17.25 in D 0.1 in
"Bathers" by John E. Costigan, Original Limited Edition Signed Etching
By John Edward Costigan
Located in New York, NY
This original, limited edition etching, was realized by the esteemed American artist John E. Costigan, circa 1930. He is represented in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum, th...
Paper
$348Sale Price|49% Off
H 35.44 in W 27.76 in D 0.99 in
‘Mid Winter Landscape’ signed Lithograph, by Jacques Deperthes C1970 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
‘Mid Winter Landscape’ Lithograph print by Jacques Deperthes C1970 A large, good quality, mid-century lithographic print, hand signed by the Artist. In exc...
Metal
$421
H 44.49 in W 33.08 in D 0.4 in
Vintage Biology Educational Pull Down Chart by Jung Koch Quentell, Germany, 1969
By Lehrmittelverlag Hagemann, Dr. Friedrich Quentell, Gottlieb von Koch 1
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Vintage pull down chart Original vintage school chart, by Jung-Koch Quentell Paperprint on linen. The canvas is fixed between two woo...
Metal
$10,247
H 29.93 in W 36.89 in D 0.99 in
Large Original L S Lowry His Family Signed Ltd Edition 444/575 Lithograph Print
By L. S. Lowry
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1972, Signed in Pencil L.S Lowry LTD Edition 444/575 Lithograph Print titled “His Family” with the Fine Arts Guild blind stamp to the bottom right corner and a new, Burr Oak frame A very fine representation of Lowry’s work, this came to me in an exceptionally poor plastic 1970’s gold frame, I’ve had it replaced with a very fine English Burr Oak example with a English racing...
Oak, Paper
Mid Century Mixed Media Wall Art
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid century mixed media wall art This piece measures: 60 wide x 1.75 deep x 18 inches high Great Vintage Condition All pieces of furni...
Canvas, Paint, Paper
$375Sale Price|31% Off
H 23 in W 32 in D 1 in
"Man with Lobster" Framed Intaglio Etching by Inanger, Munich, 1973
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Interesting intaglio etching by German artist Inanger; the imagery features a man--possibly a prisoner--and the severed head and tail of a lobster. Good representation of value chang...
Wood, Paper
$276Sale 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
Alfred Philippe Roll 'French, 1846-1919' Etching, "La Vie"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
With certificate of authenticity. The black and white etching dated 1897 from the first limited edition of 525 on velin, in L. Roger- Miles, "Art et Nature", Paris, Boudet, 1897. Th...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,150Sale Price|54% Off
H 29 in W 35.5 in D 1.5 in
Signed Mid Century Seriagraph on board by Maurice de Vlamink
Located in Redding, CT
Signed Mid Century Seriagraph on board by Maurice De Vlamink. Original frame. Signed lower right. Amazing hue of colors and composition bringing this village-scape to life. Fauvist...
Masonite, Paper