In 1974, Roche Bobois opened its first showroom in the United States on Madison Avenue in New York City. The celebrated luxury French furniture brand is now in 50 countries with more than 200 stores.
The Roche Bobois story has origins in 1950, when entrepreneur Jacques Roche converted an old Paris theater into two contemporary furniture boutiques so that his sons could help usher stunning Bauhaus-inspired work out of the shops and into French homes nearby.
At another showroom called Au Beau Bois, also in the French capital city, the Chouchan family was simultaneously selling home furnishings. The families met later, when Philippe and François Roche convened with Patrick and Jean-Claude Chouchan at a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen in 1960 and afterward produced a catalog announcing their partnership.
Minimal and modernist Scandinavian design had gained prominence in the furniture industry by 1960, rendering designers such as Kaare Klint and Poul Henningsen marquee names — and Roche Bobois's principals had taken notice. Following a national advertising campaign in Elle magazine a year later, the Scandinavian furniture that the newly minted Roche Bobois was importing to Paris became a huge success. Early promotional material from the firm likely included the sleek modular wall units crafted in rosewood by Danish furniture maker Poul Cadovius. It didn’t take long for Roche Bobois to shift toward producing its own contemporary furniture line.
When the popularity of cable television took hold in more major American cities during the 1970s, sofas and other seating became integral to contemporary living-room decor. Roche Bobois’s newly launched Les Contemporains series positioned its own sofas front and center, and it also offered plush lounge chairs designed by Mario Bellini.
Bold works from the company during the decade included Marc Berthier’s Pop Art–colored tubular metal desks and chairs — the latter covered with braided fabric — as well as one of Roche Bobois’s most enduring and well-known pieces, the Mah Jong sectional sofa created by sculptor, painter and designer Hans Hopfer. Anchored by few central elements, this modular lounge sofa can be combined or stacked, giving the buyer total freedom over its appearance and the ability to maximize comfort.
Since its inception, Roche Bobois has worked with many internationally renowned architects and designers on its collections, among them Paola Navone and Vladimir Kagan. Even fashion designers such as Missoni and Emanuel Ungaro have made contributions to the company’s lineup.
In 2010, Roche Bobois marked its 50-year anniversary by debuting a partnership with French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier. A decade later, Roche Bobois teamed up with Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who designed a collection of organically shaped sofas as well as vibrant, colorful accent pillows and rugs.
Roche Bobois’s offerings over the years have included everything from mid-century modern armchairs to Art Deco case pieces to sculptural outdoor cocktail tables framed in metal wire — shop these classics now on 1stDibs.
“Bistrot de Paris” bar cabinet, wood, zinc and gilt brass, Roche Bobois , France
By Roche Bobois
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and gorgeous French bistro-style bar cabinet from the 1980s. Made of cherry wood, with a zinc top, polished gilt brass handles and details, and ornamental frosted glass door...
Crystal, Brass, Zinc
Bar Cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos
Located in Geneve, CH
Bar cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos Dimensions: large: W 45 x D 90 x H 110 cm Materials: Huanacaxaxtle Wood, Sisal Fiber, Steel, Wicker, Mirror, Leather. We are an interior a...
Steel
Burl Wood Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classicly inspired modern bar cabinet with an inset marble top and a three-quarter gallery. With a figured burl walnut exterior, curved corners, a shaped apron, brass brass-finishe...
Marble, Metal
Brutalist Italian Chestnut Wood and Brass Bar Cabinet, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Brutalist dry bar cabinet in chestnut wood. With geometric and harmonious lines, the piece of furniture is also embellished by the brass band below.
Brass
$1,931
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 14.57 in
1950s Midcentury Regency Italian Wood, Brass and Mirror Dry Bar Cabinet Cart
By Vittorio Dassi, Guglielmo Ulrich, Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Art Deco Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet cart characterized by its original Asian themed painted front wood pull-out tilt door with interior part in mirror glass, standing on its antique brass wheels...
Brass
Mastercraft Brass and Burl Wood Bar Cabinet Server
By Mastercraft
Located in Toledo, OH
Fantastic Hollywood Regency style bar cabinet server by Mastercraft. This piece is constructed of distressed brass with a burl wood top and laminate work surface. The expandable top ...
Brass
$3,745Sale Price|20% Off
H 48.43 in W 45.67 in D 15.36 in
Mid-Century Bar Cabinet in Wood and Brass, Italian Design, 1940s-50s
By Anzani, Osvaldo Borsani, Gio Ponti, Vittorio Dassi
Located in Brussel, BE
Splendid Mid-century bar cabinet made of noble woods, mercury mirror, and brass incrustations. Inside, glass and mirrors are sublimed by a lighting system connected to the opening of...
Brass
$5,735
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Midcentury Style Brass and Colored Murano Glass Bar Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade bar cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and handcut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass raised on spe...
Glass, Wood
$4,380 / item
H 51.58 in W 48.04 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Inspired Bar Cabinet Jazz in Lacquered Wood and Polished Brass
By Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Jazz bar cabinet is a high quality product by Mambo Unlimited Ideas, crafted in polished or matte lacquered wood structure and feet, brass applications and lacquered doors. It featur...
Brass
French Art Deco Bar Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
French Art Deco period mahogany bar cabinet. Circa 1940. This is such a fabulous piece for interior. 45.5w x 15d x 50h
Brass
$4,798
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Midcentury Style Brass and Colored Murano Glass Bar Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade bar cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and handcut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass raised on spe...
Glass, Wood
$8,427
H 72.05 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in L 72.05 in
Antonio Cassi Ramelli two bodies bar cabinet made of wood and brass, Italy 1950s
By Antonio Cassi Ramelli, Paolo Buffa
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
The bar cabinet, composed of two bodies and adorned with doors and shelves, represents a remarkable fusion of craftsmanship and design sensibility. Crafted from wood and brass, with ...
Brass
Vintage Brass and Oak Bar Cabinet, 1900s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage brass and oak bar designed and manufactured in the United States circa 1900s. The oak frame is paired with brass strips that wrap around the piece, adding a touch of luxury t...
Brass
Roche Bobois by Sacha Lakic Ublo Glass Curved Bar
By Roche Bobois, Sacha Lakic
Located in Rochester, England
Designed by Sacha Lakic for Roche Bobois, the Ublo collection is a fantastic example of contemporary design, Constructed from curved plywood, the bar has a softly rounded silhouette...
Smoked Glass, Wood
Sold
H 38.19 in W 55.12 in D 17.72 in
Jean-Claude Mahey, Burl Wood and Brass Dry Bar for Roche Bobois, 1978
By Roche Bobois, Jean Claude Mahey
Located in Munster, NRW
Exceptional dry bar in burl wood enhanced with brass, by designer Jean-Claude Mahey for Roche Bobois. Opening by 3 doors on the front revealing shelf, and two flaps opening on a b...
Brass