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Rohde boldly informed De Pree that the brand’s furniture had become outdated, which was part of the reason the company was in financial jeopardy.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.
Gilbert Rohde Set of 4 Chrome Art Deco Dining Chairs in Soft New Chestnut Fabric
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Hailing from the 1930s is this timelessly sleek Art Deco set of 4 chrome Gilbert Rohde Model Z dining chairs freshly redone in new softly textured chestnut fabric. Gilbert Rohde piec...
Steel, Chrome
Art Deco Machine Age Lounge Chair designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Art Deco, Machine Age lounge chair designed by Gilbert Rohde for the Troy Sunshade Company circa 1930's. The chair features a sexy tubular chrome frame with large upholstered ...
Chrome
Art Deco Machine Age Sofa Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Company
By Troy Sunshade Company, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Art Deco Machine Age sofa designed by Gilbert Rohde for the Troy Sunshade Company, circa 1930's. The couch features a sexy tubular chrome fram...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde, Slipper Chair, Fabric, Wood, USA, 1940s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
A beige fabric and stained wood slipper chair designed by Gilbert rohde and produced by Haywood Wakefield, USA, 1940s. Seat height 16”.
Fabric, Wood
$4,800Sale Price|26% Off
Gilbert Rohde Slipper Chair
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The Gilbert Rohde slipper chair designed for Herman Miller, having an upholstered round seat supporting a separate upholstered back all on four turned legs.
Upholstery
Gilbert Rohde Slipper Lounge Chairs Reupholstered In Your Fabric Art Deco Era
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curvaceous Slipper Lounge Chairs, designed by Gilbert Rohde, American, circa 1940s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered. The price noted includes wood refin...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Art Deco Walnut & Holly Hunt Upholstery Lounge Chairs by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This bold and refined pair of Art Deco Slipper/Lounge Chairs in Walnut and Holly Hunt Upholstery were created by the esteemed designer Gilbert Rohde and originate from the United Sta...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of ‘Z’ Tubular Steel Stools by Gilbert Rohde, USA, 1940s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural pair of “Z” stools attributed to Gilbert Rohde, USA, circa 1940s. Rohde, a pivotal figure in American modernism and an early design director for Herman Miller, played a...
Steel
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Gilbert Rohde Lounge Chair Herman Miller Co. Model No. 3689 1936
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Camden, ME
A Gilbert Rohde classic chrome plated lounge chair model number 3689 Eaasy chair designed for Herman Miller in 1936. Freshly re-upholstered in a thick dark grey boucle and very comfo...
Steel, Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Heywood-Wakefield Set of 4 Dining Chairs
By Gilbert Rohde, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Fraser, MI
Set of 4 Gilbert Rohde for Heywood-Wakefield Dining chairs. Original condition.
Fabric, Maple
$2,880Sale Price / set|41% Off
Four Art Deco Gilbert Rohde For Heywood Wakefield Dining Chairs
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of four Art Deco dining chairs designed by Gilbert Rohde and made by Heywood Wakefield. Walnut frames with fabric upholstery. As shown...
Fabric, Walnut
Art Deco Streamline Lounge Chair Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco lounge chair designed by Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield, Classic Art Deco streamline design, superior 1930s quality and heavy spring construction. Painted gold wood fra...
Velvet, Wood
$6,350
Gilbert Rohde Side Chair
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Linen blend upholstery with wood legs.
Upholstery, Wood
Charming Gilbert Rohde for Sunshade chair
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Evanston, IL
Elevate your space with this masterpiece of Art Deco and early modernist design- the stunning Gilbert Rohde Sunshade chair. Originally designed in the 1930's for the Troy Sunshade C...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade 3 Position Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Chrome and Leather 3 Position Lounge Chair. Rohde did some of his most amazing designs for Troy Sunshade. Designed in 1934 this early example, later m...
Chrome
Gilbert Rodhe, Lounge Chair, Chrome, Vinyl, USA, 1940s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable chrome metal and white vinyl lounge chair with ottoman designed by Gilbert Rodhe and produced by Troy Sunshade Co., USA, 1940s. Overall Dimensions: 31.12"H x 28.06"W x...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Model 3955 Vanity Stool 1935 Modern Design
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern “Vanity Stool or Base, Model 3955” designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1935. Stamped model number on the underside. Maple wood and original brown leatherette ...
Faux Leather, Wood
Art Deco Gilbert Rohde Chair in Holly Hunt Leather w/ Tufted Back & Walnut Legs
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Art Deco Machine age side/desk chair was designed by the early modernist legend Gilbert Rohde in the United States circa 1935. It features four rectangular walnut legs- ...
Leather, Walnut
$3,480Sale Price / set|40% Off
Gilbert Rohde Streamline Art Deco Settee and Lounge Chair Set
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Gilbert Rohde designed streamline settee and lounge chair featuring a matching set both with a floating set and shaped Art Deco speed arms. Measurement...
Wood
$5,440Sale Price / set|32% Off
Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield Dining Chairs
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of six Art Deco dining chairs designed by Gilbert Rohde. Gilbert Rhode Collection, Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution Bentwood and bent plywood...
Wood
Set of Four Art Deco Chairs Gilbert Rohde Heywood Wakefield
By Gilbert Rohde, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four chairs designed in 1930s by Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield Gardener MA. Mahogany construction with arched back support. Cream color naugahyde upholstery with decor...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Upholstered Slipper Chairs
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful pair of art deco, slipper, lounge chairs by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller features a rounded profile with upholstered seat and back in a woven blue linen blend.
Fabric, Mahogany
1930s Set of 4 Gilbert Rohde Dining Chairs for Heywood Wakefield in Knoll Fabric
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a set of four dining chairs, designed by Gilbert Rohde and produced by Heywood Wakefield. Gilbert Rohde was a hugely influential designer until his passing in 1944...
Fabric, Textile, Wood
Set of 4 French Art Deco Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 4 French Art Deco blackened wood dining chairs with a rosewood veneered back rest.
Wood
1940s Set of Four Art Deco Dining Chairs
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with minor signs of use - The chairs have been reupholstered some time ago.
Wood, Fabric
$2,695 / set
H 26.5 in W 29.5 in D 16 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Art Deco Cloud Tables Attributed to Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern sculptural "Cloud" form tables in the style of Gilbert Rohde. Tapered and reeded legs in a dark stained walnut with an organic cloud form glass to...
Brass
$3,250
H 28.5 in W 27 in D 25 in
Danish Midcentury Slipper or Cocktail Lounge Chair Floral Fabric , 1950's
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very charming Danish slipper or cocktail chairs from ca. 1950. Very comfortable and light weight and thus easy to move around when the situation and guests require extra seating. W...
Teak
$12,500 / set
H 34.5 in W 25.75 in D 60 in
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade 3 Position Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Gilbert Rohde for Troy Sunshade Chrome and Leather 3 Position Lounge Chair. Rohde did some of his most amazing designs for Troy Sunshade. Designed in 1934 this early example, later m...
Chrome
Set of 4 French Art Deco Cherry Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of four fine French Art Deco cherry chairs.
Cherry
Machine Age Art Deco Arm Chair in the Style of Gilbert Rohde
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Classic Machine Age period arm chair, having speed band wrap around arms, upholstered back, and seat. This example is in very good, original conditio...
Upholstery, Wood
Billy Baldwin Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Slipper Chairs, USA
By Sherrill Furniture Company, Billy Baldwin
Located in Southampton, NJ
Classic pair of Slipper Chairs designed by Billy Baldwin manufactured by Sherrill Furniture. Exceptionally well maintained ready for use. Seats: 19" H.
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Curvaceous 1940s Slipper Chairs
By William Billy Haines
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Curvaceous Slipper Chairs, in the manner of William "Billy" Haines, American, circa 1940's. They are currently being refinished and r...
Upholstery, Wood
French Napoleon III Slipper Chair in Floral Fabric
Located in Buchanan, NY
A stunning French Napoleon III slipper chair. This slipper chair is a truly unique piece, with its vintage floral fabric and bullion...
Fabric
Elegant Art Deco Lounge Chair in Red Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, beech, fabric, metal nails, Europe, 1930s A striking lounge chair from the 1930s, characterized by its bold yet elegant silhouette and refined detailing. The softly ro...
Metal
$1,783Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 25.2 in D 28.35 in
1940s, Danish Slipper Chair Newly Upholstered in Botanical Fabric
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful and elegant Danish slipper chair dating from the 1940s, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and organic design language characteristic of mid-century Scandinavian furnitur...
Linen, Beech
Sold
H 22.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
Vintage 1939 Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Model 4140 Modern Vanity Stool
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern “Vanity Stool or Base, Model 4140” designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1939. Maple wood and brown leatherette upholstery with metal studs. The subtle taper of...
Faux Leather, Wood
Gilbert Rohde, Stool, Maple, Fabric, USA, 1930s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
A maple and floral-printed fabric stool designed by Gilbert Rohde and produced by Herman Miller, c. 1935. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Vintage fabric in fair condition ...
Fabric, Wood, Maple
Gilbert Rohde, Dining Room Chairs, Wood, Fabric, USA, 1930s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
A set of six dark-stained wood and yellow fabric dining room chairs or side chairs designed by Gilbert Rohde and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1930s. Overall Dimensions (inches...
Fabric, Wood
Gilbert Rohde Round Back Slipper Chair
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Gilbert Rohde round Back Slipper Chair. Elegant Gilbert Rohde Side Chair for Herman Miller. Completely restored in beautiful soft light green velvet. Very comfortable occasional c...
Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Sold
H 30 in W 19.5 in D 20.5 in
Set of Six Curvaceous Dining Chairs by Gilbert Rohde Refinished & Reupholstered
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Six Curvaceous Art Deco Chairs, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. They are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed ...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 30.75 in W 19.5 in D 25 in
Gilbert Rohde Z Chair in Cognac Leather and Chrome for Troy Sunshade, USA 1930s
By Gilbert Rohde, Troy Sunshade Company
Located in Miami, FL
Iconic streamline Art Deco Z chair, rendered in a tubular chrome plated bent steel frame with cognac leather seat and back, with nail head detail. Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Troy...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 10 Art Deco Saber Leg Walnut Dining Chairs by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully proportioned set of 10 Art Deco saber leg dining chairs in Walnut and taupe silk upholstery by Gilbert Rohde originates from the United States, circa 1940. These din...
Fabric
Gilbert Rohde, Stool, Mahogany, Fabric, USA, 1940s
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
A green fabric and mahogany stool designed by Gilbert Rohde and produced by Herman Miller, USA, c. 1940s. Dimensions: 22.5” H x 19” W x 20” D Seat Height: 16.5” All upholstered f...
Fabric, Mahogany
Sectional Sofa by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in San Francisco, CA
A five piece sectional sofa consisting of one corner piece, a settee and three single chairs. Rohde's Combination Chairs represented the first modular furniture system...
Mohair, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29.25 in W 34.5 in D 27.25 in
Gilbert Rohde Slipper Tub Lounge Chair, 1940's in Shearling and Leather
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Culver City, CA
Step into the world of mid-century magic with this fabulous slipper chair designed by the legendary Gilbert Rohde. With its round body and a rounded, curved, cognac leather button-tu...
Leather, Maple
Gilbert Rohde Swivel Vanity Stool
By Heywood-Wakefield Co., Gilbert Rohde
Located in Chicago, IL
Gilbert Rohde Swivel Vanity Stool for Heywood Wakefield, channel back, reupholstered with cotton fabric. Solid cherry base. 21" deep 22" wide 22.25" high...
Upholstery, Birch
Gilbert Rohde, Armchairs, Cherry, Velvet, USA, 1940s
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of cherrywood and purple velvet armchairs designed by Gilbert Rohde and produced by Herman Miller, Zeeland, Michigan, 1940s. Seat height 17.5”.
Velvet, Cherry