Endeavoring to create exquisite work that would endure forever, designer Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann defined the grandeur of the French Art Deco movement of the 1920s. His luxurious storage cabinets, seating, other furniture and interiors garnered considerable popularity alongside the growth in post–World War I Paris’s population of newly wealthy residents.
The Paris-born Ruhlmann was the son of a decorating contractor, a business he took over in the early 1900s and expanded into furniture and interior design. But by the end of his career, he was best known for being a skilled ensemblier, a term for a designer who not only makes furniture and decorates spaces but rather personally crafts each and every piece required in the space, from doorknobs to sofas. This practice ensured that the space was harmonious and consistent with Ruhlmann’s vision, and it contributed to the lasting popularity of his designs.
Ruhlmann enjoyed the patronage of the newly affluent and was encouraged by the popularity of Art Deco. While the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements were early influences, he is renowned for the modernity of his Art Deco–era designs, which reflected the celebratory nature of the times, including an integration of opulent flourishes; luxurious materials like Macassar ebony, amboyna burl, ivory and precious metals; and skilled craftsmanship and construction techniques.
Renowned all over the world, Ruhlmann was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to design a cabinet in 1925, embellishing its curved door with a sophisticated floral motif by way of an ornate marriage of wood and ivory veneer. Also in 1925, at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes, arguably the exhibition that introduced Art Deco on an international level, his pavilion was the most popular.
By the time the economic depression of the 1930s materialized, Ruhlmann’s exorbitantly expensive designs were no longer viable. But the majesty and elegance of the ’20s remain an important part of design history, and Ruhlmann has been described as “perhaps its finest exponent.”
Find a collection of authentic Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann furniture on 1stDibs.
Natural Varnished Walnut "Lalou" Mirror, Jacques Emile Rulhmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural varnished walnut "Lalou" mirror - Jacques Emile Rulhmann Dimensions: 40 W x 20 D x 55 H cm Materials: Natural varnished walnut, mirror Customizable finish Lalou was the...
Mirror, Walnut
Ruhlmann 'Virgule' Dressing Table Mirror
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
‘Virgule’ dressing table mirror in silvered bronze. The circular mirror stands on a silvered bronze foot shaped like a comma, hence the name "Virgule", meaning comma in French. It is...
Bronze
Ruhlmann Rare Sycamore Dressing Table Mirror
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare dressing table mirror with trapeze-shaped base in sycamore veneer. Reference number 3816AR and 3767NR in the Ruhlmann Archives, Musée des Années 30, Boulogne Billancourt. Émile...
Mirror, Sycamore
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Art Deco Table Mirror, Brazilian Rosewood, 1928
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
Jacques Emile Ruhlmann & Jules Deroubaix Extremely rare Art Deco Mirror in Solid brazilian rosewood, circa 1928. Signed RUHLMANN underneath and stamped DEROUBAIX on the easel. Jules...
Mirror
Black Lacquered Birch "Lalou" Mirror, Jacques Emile Rulhmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Geneve, CH
Black lacquered birch "Lalou" mirror - Jacques Emile Rulhmann Dimensions: 40 W x 20 D x 55 H cm Materials: Black lacquered birch, mirror Customizable finish Lalou was the first...
Mirror, Birch
Slash Mirror by Arielle Assouline-Lichten
By Arielle Assouline-Lichten
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cube base with 6" round mirror, brass edges and rubber backing. The perfect addition to your desk or vanity. The mirror is removable. Choose between three color bases -concrete, wh...
Mirror
$641 / item
H 17.33 in Dm 15.75 in
“Fit Mirror” Travertine Marble and Rusty Iron Minimalist Mirror by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Fit Mirror is a sculptural mirror defined by the dialogue between stone and metal. Its base is composed of three carefully treated blocks of Travertine ...
Marble, Travertine, Iron
$308 / item
H 14.97 in W 4.73 in D 11.82 in
“Sun Mirror Brass” White Carrara Marble Minimalist Mirror by Aparentment
By Josep Vila Capdevila
Located in Terrassa, Catalonia
The Marblelous Sun Mirror is a minimalist style mirror consisting of a treated Carrara marble base. The back part of the mirror is made of solid brass and treated with special oils f...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass
Art Deco Dressing Table Mirror or Vanity Mirror from France
Located in Austin, TX
A fine French free-standing vanity mirror or dressing table mirror of chrome and mirrored glass from the Art Deco era, with a swiveling square mirror surface and felt back, supported...
Chrome, Metal
$1,865
H 24.81 in W 30.32 in D 5.12 in
Italian Art Deco Mirror Dressing Table, Psyche Mirror in Walnut with Two Drawers
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian Art Deco mirror dressing table, psyche mirror in walnut with two drawers. Polished with shellac and wax. Measures in cm: ...
Mirror, Walnut
Round American 1930's Burlwood Vanity Table Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Burlwood vanity table mirror with round mirror glass and brass hardware, Circa 1930's.
Brass
French Antique Mirror with Cherubs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage " petite " psyché mirror from the mid century with cherubs decor. Mirror is adjustable.
Brass
Antique English Barbola Dressing Table Mirror, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique English barbola dressing table or vanity oval mirror with easel, circa 1920. This beautiful mirror has beveled glass and is crowned with a gesso floral swag. It would ...
Gesso, Mirror
$2,564
H 30.32 in W 30.32 in D 5.12 in
Italian Art Deco Mirror Dressing Table, Psyche Mirror in Walnut with Two Drawers
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Italian Art Deco mirror dressing table, Psyche mirror in walnut with two drawers Polished with shellac and wax. Measures cm: H 77...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage Studio Koa Wood Foldable Mirror
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid century round foldable mirror with adjustable stand in koa wood. This versatile hand crafted piece is compact in size and can used as a table or small van...
Wood
$2,331Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.05 in W 14.57 in D 6.3 in
French Vanity Mirror in Gilt Hand Forged Iron, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning hand wrought iron oval table / vanity mirror or standing mirror with foliage details, France, 1940s. This lovely oval mirror is all made by ha...
Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Iron
Antique French Ebony Dressing Table Mirror
Located in London, GB
This beautiful mirror will look wonderful placed on a woman’s dressing table. It features an ebony frame which is intricately carved with a variety of motifs, inspired by classical design. The item is composed of an oval mirror, which is set within a shaped rectangular wooden frame. The frame is crowned by a medallion containing a portrait of a woman’s head in profile. This is decorated with a ribbon bow and flower swags which are held by two female figures, positioned either side of the medallion. The women have classical style nude...
Mirror, Wood, Ebony
Art Deco Mirror by Emile Rulhmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Genuine Art Deco mirror designed by E.Rulhmann and made by Porteneuve. It’s completely restored and everything is original including the double face ...
Stained Glass, Rosewood
Sold
H 18 in Dm 16.33 in
Émile Ruhlmann Art Deco Silver Plate over Bronze Antelope Vanity or Table Mirror
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in North Miami, FL
This exquisite and substantial period vintage Art Deco signed Émile Ruhlmann tabletop or vanity mirror is silver plate over bronze. It is called ...
Silver Plate, Bronze
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Macassar Ebony Mirror Art Deco 1930
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879-1933) Mirror in solid macassar ebony with a round glass. Signed underneath and stamped "A" from the "Atelier A" Measures: Mirror diameter: 15"3/4 ...
Macassar, Mirror, Ebony