Rose Iron Works and Art Deco at the Cleveland Museum of Art – July 6 – October 19, 2025.
A rose by any other name would still be Art Deco, well at least in this case. Chris and I took a whirlwind drive from Rochester and back in one day to catch this wonderful exhibit before it closed. The Rose Iron Works of Cleveland, Ohio created some very iconic Art Deco pieces. Our first encounter with their work was back in 2017 at the Cleveland Museum of Art / Cooper Hewitt’s joint exhibit The Jazz Age. On display were three pieces, a mirror and console table and the Muse with Violin screen.
The Jazz Age – American Style in the 1920s
Cooper Hewitt, 2017
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- Console table and mirror (1930) by Paul Fehér (American, born Hungary, 1898-1990) for the Rose Iron Works.
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- The Muse with Violin screen by Paul Fehér, 1930.
We had originally planned to see the exhibit at the very end of August, but a sciatic nerve issue prevented any travel at that time. So this was our last chance to catch the exhibit. Since Cleveland is less than four hours from Rochester it was a doable day trip.
Chris is ready to enjoy the exhibit.
This was an intimate exhibit rather than comprehensive. But what was there was choice. Tracing the work of Martin Rose from his European origins through his to his iconic Art Deco pieces made in collaboration with Paul Fehér at his Cleveland iron works.
Rose Iron Works Art Nouveau Plant Stand
Circa 1907, copper and bronze plant stand designed by Martin Rose for the Rose Iron Works.
Grille for Halle Brothers Co. (1927)
Commissioned by the Halle Brothers Co. in 1927 this grille was for a dress room. It is now in two pieces and missing its side panels.
Bottom, center section of the Halle Brothers dress room grille.
Top center section of the Halle Brothers Co. grille
Vintage photograph showing the Halle Brothers Co. grille showing it in its complete state.
Designs by Paul Fehér
The designs of Paul Fehér for Rose Iron Works are some of the best examples of Art Deco metal work made in the United States. While he is best known for the Muse with Violin screen, his work encompassed many objects.
Designs for Door Handles and Lamps
Design for door handles and lamps, 1930.
Door handle of monel (nickel alloy), aluminum and light switch cover of steel, aluminum, circa 1930.
Floor Lamp
As sales declined due to the Great Depression, Fehér created a number of moderne pieces to display in the Rose Iron Works showroom, to attract potential customers. This lamp was one of the pieces.
Floor lamp for display in the Rose Iron Works showroom. The glass tubes of the shades are modern replacements.
Detail of the shade showing the replacement glass tubes.
1931 photograph of the Rose Iron Works showroom, featuring the floor lamp and mirror and console table.
Fountain
Circa 1930, Fehér made a drawing of a fountain. The copper and aluminum fountain would not be executed until 1950.
A Paul Fehér drawing for a fountain, circa 1930.
Copper and aluminum Rose Iron Works fountain, 1950.
The Muse Screens
But the real highlights of the exhibit were the two muse screens, Muse with Violin (1930) and Muse with Flower (2025).
Muse with Violin Screen
Drawing in chalk and crayon of Muse Screen, with an unexecuted central figure.
Workshop drawing for Muse with Violin Screen, 1930.
A Paul Fehér masterwork, Muse with Violin, 1930, for the Rose Iron Works.
Muse with Flower
In 2022, third-generation Rose Iron Works owner, Bob Rose embarked on a project to create two new Muse screens. One of the new screens featured the unexecuted Paul Fehér figure from 1930. Muse with Flower Screen’s central figure was inspired by a picture of Rose’s wife smelling a flower. Using a combination of old techniques, such as original tools and molds and 3-D printing, the new screens continue Rose Iron Works Art Deco craftsmanship that began nearly 100 years ago.
Muse with Flower Screen (2025). Designed by Bob Rose for Rose Iron Works.
Even though it was a small exhibition, it was well worth the drive from Rochester and back.
Anthony & Chris (The Freakin’ Tiquen Guys)
