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.
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Style French Art Deco Armchairs, Pair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of French Art Deco club chairs or dining armchairs In the manner of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann France, Circa Late 20th Century Black lacquered sculptural mahogany ...
Nickel
$339,238 / set
Ruhlmann Pair of 'Crapaud' Macassar Ebony Archairs
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of “Crapaud” armchairs in Macassar ebony and Macassar ebony veneer, with a broad arched apron resting on two square-section tapering front legs and two saber-shaped back legs. T...
Upholstery, Ebony, Macassar
Ruhlmann 'Cannelure' Mahogany Chair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Mahogany 'Cannelure' chair with sculpted gondola backrest over a white silk velvet seat raised on saber front legs capped with silver-plated sabots and curved rear legs. Reference ...
Bronze
Ruhlmann Rare 'Hydravion' or 'M. Berger' Armchair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare ‘Hydravion’ or ‘M. Berger’ Armchair reupholstered in red velvet, with deep seating and a reclining backrest. The chair rests on two gilt carved beechwood front legs ending in vo...
Bronze
$76,036 / set
Ruhlmann Set of Four Macassar Ebony Chair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four chairs in Macassar ebony.This model was created for the sculptor Joseph Bernard, as a variant of the model made for the pavilion of the Cité Universitaire. Stamped 'Ruhlm...
Ebony, Macassar
$70,187 / set
Ruhlmann Pair of 'Becker' Macassar Ebony Chairs
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of 'Becker' chairs in solid Macassar ebony with a full backrest carved with five slats: one with a rounded backrest, the other with a rectangular backrest. The chairs present...
Upholstery, Ebony, Macassar
Ruhlmann 'Drouant' Oak Chair with Silvered Bronze Feet
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
‘Drouant’ chair in oak with silvered bronze feet. Ruhlmann designed this chair for the fashionable Drouant restaurant in Paris in 1924. The subtle elegance of the design, with its gr...
Bronze
Ruhlmann Mahogany Desk Armchair, edited by Porteneuve
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Alfred Porteneuve
Located in Berlin, DE
Armchair in mahogany wood with silvered bronze sabots on the front legs, designed by Ruhlmann and edited by Alfred Porteneuve in 1935. Upholstered in a wool and silk fabric by Maison...
Bronze
Ruhlmann Pair of 'Ear Cuffed' Indian Rosewood Bergère Armchairs
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
The pair of “Ear Cuffed” Bergères made from Indian rosewood. The armchairs feature a gracefully curved backrest framed by two ear-like extensions. The flattened armrests are designed...
Bronze
$52,640 / set
Ruhlmann Pair of Polished Walnut Armchairs
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of armchairs in polished walnut. The slightly arched back legs extend seamlessly into the open back frame, crafted from solid walnut. The front legs connect elegantly to the bel...
Upholstery, Walnut, Fabric
Pair of Art Deco Leather Club Armchairs
Located in Swadlincote, GB
A superb pair of Art Deco style club armchairs, Birch arms and dark brown leather upholstery, very comfortable chairs with loose cushions in overall very good condition. You are wel...
Leather, Birch
Napoleon III Style Velvet Crapaud Armchairs, Provence, 1940
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant pair of French mid-20th century Napoleon III style crapaud armchairs, sourced in Provence, France. The chairs present the enveloping silhouette typical of the style, with ...
Velvet, Hardwood
"Julia" Chair with Wooden Arms in Ebony
By Alessandra Delgado
Located in Alto da Lapa, SP
When she created Julia chair with wooden arms, Alessandra Delgado wanted a piece with delicate features, exploring the curves of the wood with a design ins...
Wood
$5,950 / set
H 30 in W 32 in D 36 in
Pair Art Deco Club Chairs - France Circa 1930s - Green Velvet Speed Armchairs
By Jules Leleu, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Jacques Adnet
Located in Decatur, GA
Pair of vintage Art Deco tank or speed armchairs, France circa 1930s. Streamline Moderne silouhette. Completely restored with new super plush green velvet. Excellent condition and su...
Velvet
$3,462
H 32.49 in W 17.33 in D 20.87 in
Elegant Art Déco Macassar Wood Chair Hand Crafted in the Style of J. E. Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Salzburg, AT
Elegant Art Deco chair in the style of Jacques Emil Ruhlmann. Partly solid macassar wood, partly veneered. The surface is lacquered in high gloss. In the small volute at the end of t...
Metal, Nickel
$3,860 / set
H 29.25 in W 28.5 in D 27 in
A Stunning Pair of Small Leather Club Armchairs in the Art Deco Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning pair of club armchairs in the Art Deco style of neat proportions, fabulous quality and upholstered in gorgeously rich elegant brown leather with decorative brass studding ...
Leather, Wood
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Jules Leleu, Paul Follot, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of Art Deco chairs, France, 1920s. The chairs are currently undergoing restoration and the original fabric can be conserved or the chairs can be reupholstered in COM. P...
Fabric, Wood
On Hold|$4,562 / set
H 35.44 in W 26.78 in D 25.99 in
Pair of Anton Lucas Art Deco Armchairs in Oak and Macassar Ebony, 1925
By Anton Lucas
Located in The Hague, NL
This rare pair of armchairs was designed by Anton Lucas and produced in Leiden, The Netherlands circa 1925. The frames are made of solid oakwood, with a geometric front detail in Mac...
Mohair, Upholstery, Velvet, Wood, Macassar, Oak
Pair of Velvet Chairs
Located in North Charleston, SC
A pair of velvet and wooden chairs in the style of Louis XVI. Oval back chairs with fluted legs. In good condition! From Europe. Exact age unknown.
Velvet, Wood
Lombok Armchair Indoor or Outdoor
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair lombok Indoor or outdoor with structure in steel and natural rattan. With cushion seat and back included. Colors finish in taup, brown, or ocher. Lead time production if on ...
Steel
Half-Moon Armchair Indoor or Outdoor
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair half-moon Indoor or outdoor with structure in steel and natural abaca from Borneo. With cushion seat and back included. Colors finish in linen cream (indoor), or grey or lig...
Steel
1940s Pair of Rare Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Good original condition with some signs of use - Original fabric upholstery with signs of use - Suitable for new upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
Ruhlmann 'Tivo' Model Kingwood Dressing Chair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
‘Tivo’ Side Chair in Brazilian kindwood with its original leather seating and ivorine ‘sabots’. Reference number 29AR and 57NR in the Ruhlmann Archives, Musée des Années 30, Boulogne...
Leather, Kingwood
Ruhlmann 'Boudoir Collectioneur' African Mahogany Armchair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
“Boudoir Collectionneur” or “Rond bas Magnin” armchair in African mahogany, silvered bronze, and velvet. Referenced under nos. 35AR and 222NR in the Ruhlmann archives, Musée des Anné...
Bronze
Sold
H 20.08 in W 17.72 in D 32.68 in
J.E.Ruhlmann Rare Set of Six Chairs Model "Rendez-vous des pêcheurs de truite"
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Emile- jacques - Ruhlmann The artist has tried to make an exquisite work that will last in the time, it is the Art Deco french mouvement in France in the 1920's. After fisrt worl...
Rush, Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 47 in D 27.5 in
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Oak Desk and Chair, Cité Universitaire de Paris, 1932
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in High Point, NC
A desk and chair by French Art Deco master Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Tooled oil-cloth applied to the top of the desk. Chair with a corded seat. ...
Hemp, Oak
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Fauteuil Guindé, Armchair, France, C, 1925
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in New York, NY
Fauteuil "Guinde" Fine early Art Deco mahogany armchair by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann Upholstered in a Ruhlmann designed damask, Envol, as shown in the original period interior. This f...
Fabric, Mahogany
E. J. Ruhlmann, Oak Drouant Chair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
E.J RUHLMANN Oak Drouant chair The picture is showing two chairs but only one is available E.J. Ruhlmann: Rare and Elegant 1940 Oak Chair This model is from the "DROUANT " serie...
Oak, Leather
E.J. Ruhlmann: Rare And Elegant 1930 Oak Chair
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
E.J. Ruhlmann: Rare and Elegant 1930 Oak Chair This model is from the "DROUANT " series that Ruhlmann made in the 1920s and 30s
Oak, Fabric