Pioneering self-taught industrial designer, writer and teacher Gilbert Rohde helped define the earliest phase of modernism in the United States. He is one of the most influential figures of 20th-century design and is credited with helping legendary mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.
Born in New York City, Rohde studied painting at the Art Students League after high school. He found lucrative employment, first as a political cartoonist and then as a catalog illustrator for American department stores. He was particularly enthralled with drawing furnished interiors.
Rohde began to design furniture in his spare time. He traveled to the Bauhaus school in Germany and the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, and drew on the Art Deco movement and the work of designers such as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann in his early pieces. Rohde opened his own studio in 1929 and secured private and commercial commissions. His clients would come to include formidable furniture makers Heywood-Wakefield and Troy Sunshade, and his innovative bentwood furnishings for them were practical and intended for the modern consumer.
In 1930, Rohde met Herman Miller founder D.J. De Pree in the company’s Michigan showroom during a business trip. By then, Rohde had a long list of prominent clients and his furniture had been exhibited in museums and galleries. Herman Miller was weathering a devastating slowdown in business, and the American furniture industry had generally been hit hard by the Great Depression.
Rohde boldly informed De Pree that the brand’s furniture had become outdated, which was part of the reason the company was in financial jeopardy. Homes had become smaller and could no longer accommodate the large Gothic– and Victorian–style furnishings and traditional reproductions of period bedroom suites that Herman Miller was offering at the time, Rohde explained.
Rohde secured a contract to design for the Michigan manufacturer. He championed the use of exotic woods and tubular steel, and created streamlined, unadorned bedroom furniture for Herman Miller — collections that included convenient vanities, which were unconventional pieces for De Pree’s company back then.
In 1933, Rohde oversaw the design of two bedrooms featuring sleek Herman Miller furniture — including innovative storage pieces he designed — as part of an International–style exhibit at the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. The installation garnered acclaim for De Pree’s brand all over the world and afforded Rohde the opportunity to execute on his visionary ideas in front of a global audience. Rohde later designed lighting, seating and more for Herman Miller and was extensively involved in the company's marketing strategy and other areas of the business.
In 1942, Herman Miller, anticipating a postwar economic boom, began to produce office furniture for the first time, but its legacy is in the home. Working with legendary designers such as Ray and Charles Eames, Isamu Noguchi and Alexander Girard, the manufacturer fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style.
Find vintage Gilbert Rohde coffee tables, lounge chairs, table lamps and other items on 1stDibs.
Rare Art Deco Electric Desk Clock by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in San Diego, CA
Super rare art deco electric desk clock with alarm by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1930s. The clock is in good vintage condition and measures 8.5"W x 2.5"D x 5"H. The cloc...
Wood
Gilbert Rohde Table Clock
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gilbert Rohde Clock Model #4706 Chrome Plated Aluminum and Glass Manufactured by Herman Miller Clock Co. An Iconic example of Art Deco Design
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Blue Mirror Clock
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller blue mirror table clock. Rohde introduced a series of clocks in the early 30's that are some of the most amazing des...
Aluminum
Gilbert Rohde for Mutual Sunset Lamp Company Brass Umbrella Floor Lamp, 1930s
By Mutual Sunset Lamp Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gilbert Rohde for Mutual Sunset lamp Company, unlacquered brass umbrella floor lamp with silk shade, all original, 1930s. Timeless rarity. P...
Brass
George Nelson Birch & Brass Wall Clock for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Birch & Brass wall clock for Howard Miller.
Brass
Giacometti Style Black Faux Plaster Floor Lamps Firenze by Baker
By Diego Giacometti
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of sculptural floor lamps, in the manner of Diego Giacometti, called the Firenze Model, by Baker Furniture, American, circa 2000s. They are constructed of a faux plaster and are...
Metal
Iconic George Nelson for Howard Miller Mid-Century Modern Starburst Clock
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
An iconic and authentic George Nelson for Howard Miller Mid-Century Modern Starburst Clock with its original stamp / maker’s mark intact. Measurements: 19.5ʺ wide, 2.5" deep and 19....
Metal
Howard Miller George Nelson Grandfather Clock Model 677
By Howard Miller
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A newer sophisticated take on the grandfather clock with the case in smoked Lucite defining the outline of the clock. The face has a brushed aluminum face with mod hands in red and w...
Chrome
Vintage George Nelson Model-2202 Sunburst Clock for Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage George Nelson Model 2202 sunburst clock for Howard Miller is an iconic example of mid-century modern design, combining playful geometry with timeless radial symmetry. Cr...
Metal
Rare Model Modernist Art Deco Blue Mirror Clock, Circa 1935
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this fabulous 1930's modernist clock originating from England by Smiths clock company. You only have to do the minimalist of researching to find out how rar...
Brass
Howard Miller Iconic Clock by George Nelson
By Howard Miller
Located in Riverdale, NY
Iconic and classic Howard Miller ball clock from the 1950's by George Nelson. Wonderful Atomic style with a central clock motif with 50's styl...
Metal
$180
H 5.5 in W 4.75 in D 2.75 in
Hammond Art Deco GRENADIER Synchronous Electric Table Chrome Clock 1930s
By Hammond Clock Company 1
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco period clock designed and manufactured by Hammond Clock Co. of Chicago. This is the Grenadier Synchronous clock featuring Laurens Hammond's innovated electric motor. The face of the clock's hour numbers, in a Deco font, are set on a gold circle with a beige background. It is stamped HAMMOND Synchronous on the front. The face is contained within a chrome front, in very good condition, and held up by two oblong chrome legs. GRENADIER is inscribed on the back brass leg. Hammonds clock are not self starting so in case the electricity goes out the clocks will have to be restarted by using the START knob on the back. The company was in business from 1928 to 1941. The production of clocks was discountinued in 1935 and the company changed its name to Hammond Organ...
Metal, Chrome
Modern Grandfather Clock by Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Chicago, IL
Modern grandfather clock by Howard Miller, chrome and Lucite.
Metal
Art Deco French Enameled Silver Desk Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This enameled silver desk clock is unsigned, so a specific maker cannot be identified, but the case was made in France, and the movement in Switzerland in the period and style of Art Deco. The silver content of the case has not been tested, but is believed to be Continental or .800 or just under .925 sterling, The front of the clock is ornately enameled with raised bright red flowers on each corner with contrasting black and red geometric panels with green accents, which are duplicated on the sides. The hinged back opens to gain access to the winding mechanism and the high grade Swiss movement has been professionally serviced and works well. Although barely visible, the clock is stamped on the bottom with a French...
Silver, Brass
George Nelson for Howard Miller Lucite Wall Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Astoria, NY
George Nelson for Howard Miller Brass and Lucite Wall Clock, hanging pendulum, label to transparent clock face. 40" H x 15" W x 5.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection.
Brass
Stunning Omega Art Deco Desk Clock c.1930s
By Omega
Located in Buffalo, NY
Very rare Art Deco desk clock with Art Nouveau applied numerals.Amazing design and quality. Manual winding 8 days movement.Tested and keeping time,, Case and movement signed Omega....
Brass, Chrome, Nickel
American Machine Age Clock Gilbert Rohde Herman Miller 1934
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Rochester, NY
American Machine Age chromed steel table / desk clock designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Zeeland Michigan, 1934. Look at all pictures and read condition report in comment se...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Clock
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller table or desk clock. Clock has the less common face version with the numbers made up of curving lines. ...
Chrome
1930s Art Deco Clock by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An electric chrome Art Deco clock with an ivory face and a red sweeping second hand.
Chrome
Rare Gilbert Rohde Glass, Lucite and Brass Kidney Shape Cocktail Table
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare cocktail table designed by Gilbert Rohde, manufactured by Herman Miller in 1939. One inch thick kidney shape polished plate glass, Lucite cylinder legs. Brass caps and feet, incredible design, beautiful original condition. Examples found (Gilbert Rohde collection, Cooper -Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Lee M...
Brass
Sold
H 6.5 in W 6 in D 3 in
Art Deco Mirrored Blue Glass and Chrome Clock by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
An original Art Deco mirrored blue glass and chrome desk or table clock by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller. A chrome base supports a thick blue-mirrored glass block face embedded wit...
Chrome
Rare Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Desk Clock
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde is probably best known for his unique and forward clock designs that were produced for Herman Miller. If you look at clock designs from the 1920s and earlier you see wh...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller 1930's Clock
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Round Chrome plated Rohde Designed Desk Clock by Herman Miller. This model is in very original condition! Chrome and face show a little wear consistent for a 80 year clock...
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Clock
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Westport, CT
Gilbert Rohde 1886-1958 Art Deco electric Clock for Herman Miller ,with polished chrome stepped base
Chrome, Metal
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Alarm Clock
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Model 4706 alarm clock designed for the Chicago Century of Progress Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933. Frame is ...
Paint