Buffet (No. 3321 Formal Dining Group)
Design Date 1933
Designer Gilbert Rohde (1894-1944, American)
Manufacturer Herman Miller Furniture Company (1923-1960), Zeeland, MI
Media American black walnut and walnut veneers, chrome-plated steel
Dimensions 35 1/4 x 66 1/4 x 17 inches
In his design for this buffet, part of a dining room set, Gilbert Rohde was inspired by French Art Deco, which often included multi-colored wood veneer patterns composed of multiple types of exotic wood. Three walnut veneers (burl, straight stripe and butt) are used in this piece. The bent metal legs made of square, rather than tubular, metal are also characteristically Art Deco. This buffet was produced by Herman Miller in 1933, and is shown in a Herman Miller ad of spring-summer 1934. It remained in production until 1942. The buffet features hidden liquor-bottle storage (because it was designed during Prohibition) and drink trays with cork linings. The drink trays can be removed to use as serving trays.
ON VIEW in Art Deco Gallery 6
Markings unmarked
Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Accession Number 2012.0367
