Bringing lively newness to weathered and worn found materials, artist and furniture designer Jim Rose mined scrap heaps and junkyards for the metal he used in his furniture, collages and decorative objects. He kept his eyes open for the ideal scraps of aged steel that could be bent and shaped into a base, frame or surface of his next piece, hand-picking off-colored bits to serve as inlays and accents.
Rose was long associated with the American Studio Craft movement, and many of his one-of-a-kind works can typically be characterized as a venturesome fusion of folk art and modernist design. Each piece, crafted by hand and with fastidious care in his Wisconsin studio, is representative of his work ethic and boundless imagination.
Born in Indiana, Rose studied briefly at Bard College in New York City and earned his BFA in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988. A couple of years earlier, he established his design studio, along with his wife Suzanne — an award-winning photographer — as his partner. During the 1990s, Rose and Suzanne traveled the American Northeast, where he became enamored with Shaker furniture.
When Rose returned home, he read every piece of literature he could about the history of the Shakers. The name derives from the popular moniker for an all-but-vanished American religious sect, whose members crafted honest, modest household furniture and objects as part of their belief in purposeful living and simplicity in all things. Rose incorporated Shaker methods into the production of his own designs. Rather than utilize the unpretentious hardwoods that the Shakers preferred, however, Rose worked with discarded materials, fashioning tables, case pieces and decorative objects from repurposed steel and other metals.
In the late 1990s, Rose began to include multi-colored metal into his works — adapting methods used by colonial quiltmakers. His furnishings began to take on a mosaic look, bringing a substantial amount of visual appeal and new charm to each of his distinctive creations. Rose also produced a body of work that drew on Ming dynasty designs.
With numerous showings at Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair in New York City and Chicago, Rose made a name for himself throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had solo and group exhibitions throughout his career, including in Palm Beach, Florida, and Mesa, Arizona — as well as at many other galleries in New York and Chicago. Rose’s work is held in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Racine Art Museum and other institutions.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Jim Rose storage cabinets, tables, and decorative objects.
Shaker Tripod Table, Shaker Style in Painted Steel by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This Tripod Stand (with pie crust edge & turned pedestal) reveals Jim Rose’s legacy at its most distilled and sculptural, where historical reference, material transformation, and qui...
Steel
Dos Gallos Custom Round Tripod Side Tables
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom repurposed vintage iron with bronze edged round top. Hand-forged iron legs. Sealed surfaces. Light and narrow profile. Can be made in any size. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gall...
Bronze, Iron
Dos Gallos Tiny Custom Iron and Bronze Tripod Tables
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tripod hand-forged iron cocktail tables with bronze edging around top. Great patina. Can be custom-made in square or round and in any size and height. Sold and priced individually. M...
Bronze, Iron
Pair of Brancusi Style Steel Pedestal Side Tables
By Brancusi
Located in Stamford, CT
Compelling pair of geometric steel side tables or pedestals very much in the style of Constantin Brancusi. With a soft rust colored patina, these will make great lamp stands or wonderful pedestals for sculpture...
Cut Steel
$3,800 / set
H 23.5 in Dm 16 in
Pair Martini Side Table Tripod Wrought Iron with Etched Brass Top, in stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair Martini Side Table Tripod Wrought Iron with Etched Brass Top, in stock Brass round top with etched Greek key accent, Hammered and forged iron Warm black patina that gives it a t...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Custom Iron Tripod Tables with Bronze Edging by Dos Gallos
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom hand-forged iron tripod tables with bronze edging. Can be made in custom sizes, round or square. Sold separately. Made in Los Angeles by Dos Gallos Studio. CUSTOM PRICES ARE ...
Iron
Single Tripod Hand Forged Side or Drinks Table, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Single custom tripod hand-forged side or drinks table, in stock Hand-forged iron legs, round top with lip Dark bronze patina Perfect for drinks, side, end table Ready to ship from ou...
Iron
Modern Baroque Chinoiserie Style Hand Painted Table
Located in Forney, TX
A rare hand painted ebonized parcel bronze gilt Baroque Chinoiserie Revival side table. Exceptionally executed, the contemporary antique reproducti...
Wood, Paint
Paul Frankl Style Tripod Dark Walnut End Side Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Single round top dark walnut/espresso finish wood side or end table. Solid wood construction table resting on gently curved tripod legs.
Wood
Maison Jansen Style Steel and Brass Coffee Table
By Maison Jansen
Located in Sheffield, MA
Neoclassical Revival, petite Maison Jansen style steel and brass coffee table with inset glass top and original patina, circa 1960s. Please note of wear consistent with age including...
Brass, Steel
Stunning Victorian Side Table/Wine Table on Elegant Tripod Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to sell this lovely mahogany victorian side table. In a very good condition, very solid and sturdy. We have lightl...
Hardwood
Hand-Forged Iron and Bronze Tripod Table by Dos Gallos Studio
By Dos Gallos Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-forged iron tripod tray tables with bronze edging. Great, thin profile with patinated finish. These two are available off the floor but can also...
Bronze, Iron
Victorian Turned Leg Tripod Table with Upholstered Round Top in Leopard
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Occasional table having a round top upholstered in leopard fabric with nailheads, raised on a trio of turned legs in ebonized wood, ending in touipe feet. Stock ID: D4646.
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29 in W 53 in D 22.5 in
Shaker Inspired Enfield Table, Steel Furniture, Natural Rust Patina by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This table is inspired by the forms and sensibilities of Shaker furniture. In all Shaker communities, everything created was made to be used and sometimes the same item was used for various different tasks. Here, artist Jim Rose puts his spin on the shaker table by using naturally rusted steel. This highly versatile table will add interest and functionality to any room. Jim Rose Enfield Table repurposed steel with natural rust patina 29h x 51w x 23d in 73.66h x 129.54w x 58.42d cm JR0266 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio: Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education: 1989 B.F.A., sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards: 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions: 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions: 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions: 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Steel
Pair of Jim Rose Ming Steel Chests
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Created exclusively for PAGODA RED, the Ming Steel Collection by artist Jim Rose forges a connection between Shaker minimalism and the simplified lines of Ming-dynasty furniture. The culmination of years of studying the vernacular history of furniture...
Steel
Sold
H 27.5 in W 31.5 in D 27.5 in
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - One-Drawer Plank Top Side Table, Steel Furniture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose - Legacy Collection One-drawer plank top table found steel with natural rust patina Measures: 27.50 H x 31.50 W x 27.50 D in 69.85 H x 80.01 W x 69.85 D cm JR0229 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio: Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education: 1989 B.F.A., sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards: 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions: 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions: 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions: 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds, Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art, Sturgeon Bay, WI 2006 27th Annual Contemporary Crafts, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2006 Containers of All Dimensions, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2005 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2004 Right at Home: American Studio Furniture, Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C. 2004 American Collections, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2004 More Than Drawers-Wisconsin Cabinets, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2004 Objects of Wonder, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI 2003 Planting, Potting and Pruning, Wustum Museum of Fine Art, Racine, WI 2003 Men at Work, Miller Art Museum, Sturgeon Bay, WI 2002 Case Pieces: Contemporary Studio Furniture, Elvehjem Museum of Art, Univ of WI-Madison 2002 Sitting Pretty: Contemporary Wisconsin Chairs...
Steel