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Rohde boldly informed De Pree that the brand’s furniture had become outdated, which was part of the reason the company was in financial jeopardy.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 for Herman Miller Amorphous Kidney Paldao Desk..Art Deco/Modernist
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Buffalo, NY
Important American desk manufactured by Herman Miller, a kidney shaped desk designed by Gilbert Rohde circa 1941 for his Paldao line. This desk pack everything you need. Exotic pal...
Brass
Birch Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield, United States, c. 1930
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York City, NY
Collectible, well-sized desk by famed designer Gilbert Rohde for Heywood Wakefield.
Birch
Nightstand by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern nightstand by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller circa 1930s. Featuring a recessed top, two shelves, and a black drawer. Fully ma...
Walnut
$2,800
H 28 in W 51.75 in D 16 in
Art Deco Art Moderne Streamline Gilbert Rohde Herman Miller Vanity c 1930's
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Art Deco, Art Moderne vanity designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, circa 1936. The vanity features a bank of three drawers, which supports a floating glass top surface,...
Glass, Birdseye Maple, Walnut
Tubular Steel Functional Desk in Birch, Heteka Finland 1930s
By Heteka, Pauli Blomstedt
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful example of the functionalist period and tubular steel furniture. This writing desk is made by Heteka Finland and is most probably by the renowned Finnish Architect Pauli ...
Metal
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Stacking Tables in Burl Acacia
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Bernville, PA
Professionally restored Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller stacking tables in Burl Acacia. Rare set of 3 stacking tables from the Paldao Group for Her...
Paldao
$8,500
H 30.75 in W 32 in D 32 in
1940s Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Collection Modern Design Game Table
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A modern “Paldao” Game Table designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, 1940s. Burl wood in contrasting colors and tapered wooden legs wrapped in muted green leatherette adorned wi...
Wood
$1,520Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 29 in W 66 in D 36 in
Vintage Herman Miller Table or Desk with Knoll Walnut Top
By Herman Miller
Located in Pasadena, TX
A vintage dining or conference table or a desk. Beautiful Knoll top made of American Walnut on a Herman Miller aluminum segmented base. We have 8 available.
Aluminum
$5,800
H 28.75 in W 66 in D 32.5 in
Action Office Writing Desk by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in New York, NY
Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller from the 1960s. Base made of chrome-plated aluminum with white plastic protectors. Lockable hinged cov...
Metal, Aluminum
Heywood-Wakefield Birch Magazine Table, Wheat Finish
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Trenton, NJ
An original Heywood-Wakefield magazine table executed in solid birch with the company’s signature Wheat finish. The design illustrates the manufacturer’s commitment to organic modern...
Birch
$2,595
H 30 in W 44 in D 22 in
Heywood Wakefield Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Desk With Built-in Bookcase
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern writing desk with built-in bookcase By Heywood Wakefield USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple, in original "Champagne" finish. Measures: 44"W x ...
Maple
Antique Heywood-Wakefield Style Mission Oak & Wicker Writing Desk
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This antique desk from the early 20th century Mission movement features a well-kept solid oak top, wicker storage baskets, and a sizable drawer for ample storage. The wicker-wrapped ...
Wicker, Wood, Oak
Dornach School Anthroposophical Desk in Birch, circa 1930
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dornach school desk, birch, Germany, 1930s This elegant desk reflects the spiritual-functional design principles rooted in the Dornach School tradition of the 1930s. Softly rounded edges, subtly arched base elements, and fluid, continuous surfaces replace conventional straight lines and symmetry, radiating a warm and dreamy presence. The proportions and curves of this design create a sense of calm and intention, not just serving as furniture but a supportive element in ones environment and life, resonating with the anthroposophical way of living. True to anthroposophical design principles, this piece avoids straight lines altogether, embracing asymmetry and mirroring the organic rhythms of nature. While the exact maker remains unconfirmed, the work bears a strong stylistic affinity to the designs of Siegfried Pütz (1907–1979), Felix Kayser (1892–1980), or Fritz Schuy (1891–1952), all prominent figures associated with the Dornach School. Dornach school or Dornach design is a comprehensive exploration of anthroposophical furniture...
Birch
$2,160Sale Price|40% Off
H 17 in W 36 in D 18 in
Geometric Art Deco Coffee Table by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, Gilbert Rohde
Located in Van Nuys, CA
The Art Deco Streamline mahogany coffee/cocktail table by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman. The table showcases a striking round half-moon silhouette on a square geometric base bringi...
Mahogany
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Desk
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Desk – Model 4106 (Mid-20th Century) Rare and iconic single-pedestal desk designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller, crafted in Zeeland, Mich...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 56 in D 28.75 in
Art Deco Kidney Paldao Wood w/ Leather Brass Studded Base Desk by Gilbert Rhode
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This refined Art Deco desk was realized by the legendary Gilbert Rohde in the United States, circa 1941. It features an amorphic kidney form table in Paldao wood two large streamline...
Brass
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 for Herman Miller Art Deco Vanity, 1936
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in South Bend, IN
An extremely rare and exceptional Art Deco or mid-century modern vanity or desk By Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller USA, Circa 1936 East Indian laurel wood and birdseye maple...
Glass, Wood, Birdseye Maple
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 Art Deco Desk
By Herman Miller, 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. Please see our other 1stdibs listings for othe...
Metal
Original Vintage Gilbert Rohde Kidney Shape Cerused Desk
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in North Miami, FL
Extremely rare from the American Art Deco era. This kidney shaped desk in black cerused oak (original finish) with tree drawers and turned legs, in as found condition is a truly a un...
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 56.13 in D 29 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Paldao Group Art Deco Double Pedestal Desk, 1941
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Art Deco kidney-shape double pedestal executive desk Designed by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller USA, circa...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 56 in L 29 in
Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Kidney Paldao and Leather Desk with Chair
By Gilbert Rohde
Located in West Hartford, CT
Stunning and in excellent condition, an Art Deco kidney shaped desk designed by Gilbert Rohde, circa 1940 for Herman Miller. The heavy thick top is made of exotic paldoa wood and is ...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 44 in W 29.5 in D 22 in
Art Deco "East India" Bookmatched Walnut Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Art Deco Machine Age desk was realized by the esteemed 20th century designer Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller as part of the East India Laurel series, circa 1935. Handcra...
Aluminum, Enamel
Sold
H 28 in W 52 in D 18 in
Art Deco Skyscraper Style Burled Walnut Desk by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Gilbert Rohde
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and understated desk was realized by Gilbert Rohde one of the most celebrated and influential designers of the 20th century in the United States in 1936. Handcrafted in ...
Aluminum