Gilbert Rohde

American  [1894-1944] 

Gilbert Rohde Gilbert Rohde an American designer considered to be one of the first generation of American industrial designers established his reputation during the 1920's and 1930's. Although most widely recognized for his furniture design, Rohde also designed lighting, radios, clocks and other products that changed the Art Deco era.

In 1929 he opened a design office in New York, concentrating on interior design and developing furniture in the early 'modernist style'. In the early 1930's he established a relationship with Herman Miller Inc., a firm that had previously made products imitating various traditional styles. Rohde convinced the firm of the superiority of the ideas of modernism at a time when this direction in design was virtually unknown in the USA. During his time as a designer for Herman Miller he developed an extensive line of furniture that combined functional ideas and simplicity of form with decorative details that were characteristically 'modernistic'. Rohde's use of exotic woods, glass, mirrors and polished metals were used in groups of furniture that were modular or sectional in concept.  Rohde's for clock designs for the Herman Miller Company and lamps for the Mutual Sunset Lamp Company are classics that established his reputation as a significant figure in the development of industrial design in the USA. Gilbert Rohde single handedly raised the profile of the Herman Miller Furniture Company to the status they still enjoy today.

Rohde also designed for Heywood Wakefield, for clients and for his own furniture retailed by others throughout the years.  His daring new designs in home and office furnishings set the stage for the later designers George Nelson and Charles Eames.

** We are always looking to buy Gilbert Rohde clocks, lamps + furniture as well as other top designers + art deco furniture from the period. Please contact us if you are looking to sell.  Calls are always welcome: 305.778.2182 **

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