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Rohde boldly informed De Pree that the brand’s furniture had become outdated, which was part of the reason the company was in financial jeopardy.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.
Art Deco Secretary Cabinet Desk in Book Matched Walnut by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This rare and captivating Art Deco Drop Front Secreter Desk in Book-matched Hand-Rubbed Walnut is by the esteemed furniture designer Gilbert Rohde and originates from the United Stat...
Walnut
Art Deco Palladio Fall Front Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller c. 1940’s
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Elegant and sophisticated drop front desk designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller as part of the much sought after Palladio series, circa 1940’s. The desk features a burl veneer ...
Wood, Burl
George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in San Mateo, CA
Double pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...
Chrome
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Bookshelf by Herman Miller Refinished
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Bookcase, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. Part of Rohde's modular East Indian Laurel Group. This piece is currently being ref...
Metal
$3,850
H 40.5 in W 32 in D 15 in
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Cabinet 1930s Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Refinished
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Cabinet, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. This is from Rohde's Modular East Indian Laurel Line of furniture, which was Herman ...
Metal
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 36 in W 43 in D 19 in
Pr Art Deco Art Moderne Dressers by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller c 1930's
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of streamline Art Moderne dressers designed by Gilbert Rohde, for Herman Miller c 1936. The dressers feature opposing right and left c...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Gilbert Rohde Paldao Cabinet for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Hanover, MA
Gilbert Rohde designed this chest for Herman Miller as part of his 1941 Paldao Line of streamline modernist and modular furniture in exotic veneer. This is model no. 4103, two-door cabinet with distinctively incised large round pulls, interior fitted with two adjustable shelves behind the left door and five pull-out drawers behind the right door, fronts finished in black enamel. The case top and sides are Paldao wood; the doors are in highly figured burl Acacia. The finish is called "Beaver" which is natural color, no stain, satin varnish. The back is numbered "4130." All of Rohde's designs for Herman Miller are marked with a 4-digit number; the first two numbers indicate the year, and the second two numbers indicate the individual piece. Newly refinished and ready to place in your home. The Herman Miller Furniture Company was devoted to manufacturing period reproduction furniture until Pioneer industrial designer Gilbert Rohde walked into their Grand Rapids showroom in 1930. A devout modernist, Rohde convinced D.J. De Pree to focus on modern furniture throughout the 1930s, and to produce exclusively modern furniture by the time Rohde died in 1944. Work by the pioneering American industrial and furniture designer, Gilbert Rohde, is notable for its thoroughly modern, informal, and multifunctional qualities. Rohde’s ability to create appealing modernist furnishings for middle-class homes, while also devising merchandising strategies to sell these goods, places him within a unique framework in American design history. Born and raised in New York, Rohde was the son of a cabinetmaker. He attended New York City public schools and his post-high school education included courses at the Art Students League and the Grand Central School of Art. Rohde’s visit to Europe in the spring and summer of 1927 (with later trips in 1931 and 1937) to see the Bauhaus in Dessau and the French modernist design that debuted in the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, profoundly inspired his concept of design and the role it should play in daily life. The French Art Deco and German rationalist styles he saw in Europe influenced the furniture he designed from the late 1920s into the 1940s, pieces he created to suit a rapidly changing American lifestyle. In addition to his work for Herman Miller Inc., Rohde also designed for several other furniture firms, including Thonet, Troy Sunshade, and Heywood-Wakefield. What set Rohde apart from his contemporaries was his all-encompassing understanding of the furniture industry, from design and production to marketing and showroom display.[1] During his time with Herman Miller Inc. (1932-1944), Rohde set the standard for collaborative efforts between designers and furniture firms, with George Nelson and Charles and Ray Eames later...
Mahogany
$3,850
H 42 in W 40 in D 17 in
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Paldao Cabinet Refinished Drop Front Secretary Bookcase
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Cabinet, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. This piece is currently being refinished and will look wonderful when completed. Thi...
Metal
Art Deco Figured Walnut Desk, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this exceptional Art Deco English walnut desk of good proportions and dating to the 1930's. A high level of craftsmanship and materials used is evident thro...
Chrome
$7,900 / set
H 39 in W 32 in D 12.5 in
Gilbert Rohde Herman Miller East India Laurel Group Art Deco Bookcases - A Pair
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A pair of book-matched East India Laurel Wood Series bookcases (nos. 3634 and 3632) designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller. Each case has three shelves and a single cabinet door...
Wood
1930s Art Deco Brazilian Rosewood Chest Designed by Gilbert Rohde
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Art Deco Brazilian rosewood chest designed by Gilbert Rohde. Amazing quality and design, slightly bowed front design, five drawers behin...
Nickel
$3,850
H 40.75 in W 24 in D 15 in
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Cabinet 1930s Herman Miller Mid Century Modern Refinished
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Art Deco Cabinet, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, American, circa 1930s. This is from Rohde's Modular East Indian Laurel Line of furniture, which was Herman ...
Metal, Nickel
Art Deco Walnut Writing Desk Bureau, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Fabulous 1930s Art Deco heavily figured walnut bureau in the most wonderful shape. Not only does this great bureau look great its very functional too. The top opens up to reveal ev...
Chrome
Art Deco Stylish Figured Walnut Desk, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this impressive and totally original Walnut desk dating from the 1930's raised on round shouldered legs. Originating from France, it offers not only functi...
Brass
1930s Art Deco Walnut Desk
Located in London, GB
A beautiful example of 1930s design, this Art Deco walnut desk features a rounded rectangular top with extendable leaves supported by bold, sculptural pedestal bases. Crafted in rich...
Metal
$8,500 / set
H 34.5 in W 44.5 in D 18.5 in
Pair of Chest of Drawers by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of three drawer chests, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller in the the 1930's. Bleached mahogany cabinets with original padded naugahyde drawer fronts. Great detailing...
Mahogany, Naugahyde
$4,800
H 34.5 in W 46 in D 19 in
1930s Art Deco Brazilian Rosewood Six-Drawer Dresser by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Art Deco Brazilian rosewood six-drawer dresser designed by Gilbert Rohde,, Amazing quality and design, slightly bowed front design. Features six generous size drawers with simp...
Nickel
Sold
H 42 in W 40 in D 17 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Cabinet Secretary Desk in Bird’s-Eye Maple, 1940
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible cabinet secretary desk designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, c. 1940s. This striking piece exemplifies Rohde’s transition from Art Deco to early ...
Birdseye Maple
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Executive Office Group Desk 1942
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Chicago, IL
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Executive Office Group Desk, 1942 Teak veneer executive desk with brass-plated steel pulls, vinyl accents, and six drawers including two sliding trays...
Brass
Gilbert Rhode for Herman Miller EOG No. 17 Receptionist Desk
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare Gilbert Rohde EOG No. 17 Receptionist Desk manufactured by Herman Miller in the 1940s. The desk is in original, unrestored condition. It's compose...
Steel
Art Deco Secretary Cabinet Desk in Book Matched Walnut by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This rare and captivating Art Deco Drop Front Secreter Desk in Book-matched Hand-Rubbed Walnut is by the esteemed furniture designer Gilbert Rohde and originates from the United Stat...
Walnut
Gilbert Rohde Art Deco Desk for Herman Miller circa 1930s Refinished
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Atlanta, GA
Streamlined Art Deco Desk, designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1930s. It is executed in beautifully grained paldao wood. This desk is currently being refinished and ca...
Metal
Vintage Executive Walnut Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exceptional vintage executive walnut desk designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller in the United States, circa 1940s. This desk represents in a significant way the expression of t...
Steel
Gilbert Rohde Brazilian Rosewood Vanity for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Kalamazoo, MI
This Brazilian rosewood vanity is a stunning item from Gilbert Rohde’s 3707 series for Herman Miller, produced in 1937. Rohde’s sublime early modern stylings of minimalist planes, floating volumes, and simple but refined details are all on display within this single vanity...
Brass
Gilbert Rohde 4140 Vanity for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Hanover, MA
Beautifully refinished mahogany vanity/coiffeuse by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller with original off-white "leather cloth" (Fabrikoid) top and padded drawers. Kneehole: 26" high x 22" wide x 17.5" deep See our separate listings for other pieces from this same collection. See pages from original 1941 Herman Miller catalog.
Faux Leather, Mahogany
1940's Kidney Shaped Cerused Desk by Gilbert Rohde
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Dallas, TX
A truly a unique piece! Stunning and extremely rare Art Deco desk designed by Gilbert Rohde, circa 1940. The desk is uniquely designed with architectural lines. The heavy kidney-form top floating above three drawers with brass pulls and turned angled legs all refinished in a black cerused oak finish. Quite a functional piece of furniture: the work surface can accommodate a computer as well as other necessities, with plenty of leg-room underneath. The desk has been refinished and is in mint condition. Rohde is credited with designing the first examples of biomorphic furniture...
Brass
Gilbert Rohde Vanity / Desk for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A early vanity or small desk with six angled leatherette padded drawers, floating top design and upturned angled sides with leatherette. Sitting on flared legs the piece is in a dark...
Mahogany
Sold
H 49.38 in W 60.13 in D 17 in
Gilbert Rohde Paldao Bookcase Cabinet with Secretary Desk, Newly Restored
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern bookcase cabinet with drop-front secretary desk Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller "Paldao Group" USA, 1940s Ex...
Glass, Paldao
Rohde for Herman Miller Vanity
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Classic Gilbert design for Herman Miller Art Deco vanity. This interesting vanity has a floating freeform top surface over two banks of drawers. The vanity ...
Ash, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 44 in D 22 in
Rare Art Deco Gilbert Rohde Herman Miller East Indian Laurel Desk, circa 1930s
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Art Deco Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller East Indian Laurel desk, circa 1937. Amazing quality and design, featuring East Indian Laurel wood retaining its original pencil drawer,...
Nickel, Chrome
Gilbert Rohde 'Paldao' Desk for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Gladstone, NJ
Gilbert Rohde 'Paldao' desk for Herman Miller.
Gilbert Rohde Secretary for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Model 3970 from Rohde's "Walnut Group" collection for Herman Miller. Walnut case with strips of white holly inlaid along sides. Original Lucite drawer pulls. Writing surface flips do...
Lucite, Wood