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.
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - Chest of Drawers, Solid Cast Iron Miniature
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This Chest of Drawers Maquette (2003) offers a concentrated and revealing insight into Jim Rose’s legacy, capturing his approach to furniture as both sculptural inquiry and domestic ...
Steel
Kupjack Studios Sterling Silver Collectibles - Tiny Curated Set For the Writer
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
For the Writer Sterling Silver Writer's Set* set includes: Candelabra with candles, Ink pots with quill, cup, blotting pad, tiny piece of paper, plexi-display case with display block. *Desk not included, coming soon. Available to order.* For the first time in over 30 years, we are thrilled to present three curated sets of sterling silver, rhodium-plated miniatures. Within the three sets, you will find something for the writer, the coffee drinker, and any special celebration. Using Eugene Kupjack’s original patterns from the Miniature Reproductions of Antique Silver set...
Sterling Silver
Miniature 19th Century Victorian Figured Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Morristown, NJ
19th c. Charming antique miniature chest of drawers. The chest has a marble top. The case is figured mahogany, with four stacked drawers, the ...
Marble, Brass
$1,940 / item
H 14.75 in W 15 in D 8 in
Victorian Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers, English, Circa 1870
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A charming late 19th century mahogany minaiture chest, having rectangular top over two short and three long drawers, retaining original turned wooden knobs, flanked by rounded corner...
Mahogany
Miniature Antique Empire chest of drawers
Located in Ballard, CA
exquisite exemple of a miniature sample of an empire chest made by a "Compagnon" most likely this was for the mentor to judge the ability of his pupi...
Mahogany
The Rhino Sterling Silver Lighter
By Fratelli Lisi
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true-to-life silver rhinoceros that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative artwork in its own right. Expertly handcrafted by the F...
Sterling Silver
1950s Miniature Faux Bamboo Chest with Three Drawers, USA
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Faux bamboo miniature painted three drawer chest.
Wood
$2,791Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.5 in W 2.5 in D 1 in
Gladiator Collectible Prop Pearl Bracelet from the 2000 Movie
Located in Lomita, CA
A freshwater pearl bracelet made as a custom piece for the 2000 Paramount film, Gladiator. The jeweler says it was created from freshwater pearls that measure 5 MM. The bracelet was ...
Gold Plate
$3,425
H 10.04 in W 13.59 in D 6.89 in
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, 1810-1820
Located in Knivsta, SE
French Empire Mahogany Miniature Chest of Drawers with Marble Top, circa 1810–1820 Charming and finely proportioned miniature chest of drawers in mahogany (Swietenia mahogoni), dati...
Marble, Brass
$232Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.07 in Dm 1.5 in
Antique Spanish Silver Coin, 5 Peseta, Alphonse XII, 1882, Collectible
Located in Miami, FL
Fine Spanish coin that was previously on a silver bracelet (sold separately). Spain, Alphonse XII (1874-1885), 5 Peseta, 1882, Year: 1882 Metal: Silver.
Silver
Miniature Louis XV Style Chest of Drawers, Three Drawers, Circa 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Charming three drawer miniature Louis XV style chest of drawers. Place next to a chair as a book rest or drinks table. Would also make a nice jewelry chest.
Fruitwood
Sterling Silver and Paste Set Model of a Gentleman
By Edwin Thompson Bryant
Located in London, London
Carrying import marks for London, 1902 by Edwin Thompson Bryant, this handsome, antique silver model of a Gentleman, is wonderfully made with red and blue set paste to the Stand and ...
Sterling Silver
$30,544 / set
H 6.11 in W 3.75 in D 3.94 in
Antique 1640 Sterling Silver Communion Chalice and Paten Set
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Charles I English sterling silver communion chalice and paten set; an addition to our diverse religious s...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Italian Burlwood Miniature Chest, Three Drawers, Ca. 1970s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage miniature burlwood three drawer chest. A perfect little drinks table or book rest. All drawers are lined with green Florentine paper.
Burl
Sold
H 5.25 in W 2.5 in D 1.75 in
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - One Door Shaker Inspired Steel Cupboard-Miniature
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from welded steel with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the pull, this tall cabinet is fully functioning with a hinged door and latch. Inside are three shelves. Despite it's small size, it makes quite an impression! Jim Rose Legacy...
Steel
Sold
H 6.5 in W 8 in D 2 in
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color. Jim Rose Structure #174 found steel Measures: 6 H x 2.75 W x 5.88 D in 15.24 H x 6.99 W x 14.92 D cm Jim Rose b. 1966 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
Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Decorative Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Steel