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.
Ruhlmann "Drouant" Armchair, circa 1924 (4 Matching Chairs Available)
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Long Island City, NY
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879–1933) — A fine armchair in cherrywood with leather upholstery. Designed for the Drouant restaurant in Paris in 1924. Model recorded under number 101, p...
Leather, Cherry
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 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
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
Marquetry Armchair with Satinwood Inlays, New York, circa 1890
By R.J. Horner & Co.
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A late 19th century New York armchair in the early 18th century Dutch-Style in mahogany decorated with inlays in other woods of bows, birds, rinceau ...
Tulipwood, Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Paul Follot
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
Rare armchair, Gastone Rinaldi, 1960
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Berlin, DE
This very rare armchair by Gastone Rinaldi, model Roma, was manufactured by RIMA in 1960. The construction is lacquered steel, the upholstery is made of velvet.
Steel
$12,328
H 29.73 in W 22.84 in D 22.05 in
Neoclassical Empire Early 19th Century Mahogany Desk Armchair
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
An unusual North European mahogany desk armchair with original brass castors. Fully carved armrests with eagle heads, the design probably by a designer from Berlin or Copenhagen (e.g...
Brass
Rare Art Deco Armchair No 2, France, 1930s/40s
By André Arbus, Paul Dupré-Lafon, Jules Leleu, Dominique
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare, unusual Art Deco armchair, France, 1930s/40s. Fast shipping worldwide. 46 cm x 56 cm x H 94 cm SH 33cm A similar chair is available - see final photo
Fabric, Wood
$12,840 / set
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery
By Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Royère, Jacques Adnet
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of refined, organic armchairs, with a curved, sculptural form in solid oak and upholstered in a premium pure Alpaca fabric. Also available in COM. Fast shipping worldwide. ...
Alpaca, Oak
Superb, Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1930s
By Jules Leleu, Paul Follot, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A stunning pair of Art Deco French chairs from the 1930s. Would benefit from new upholstery. Listed and priced for sale as are. For reupholstery in COM by our team please enquire....
Fabric, Wood
$8,879
H 33.08 in W 44.1 in D 39.38 in
Rare Club Chair, France, 1940s / 50s, Newly Upholstered in Pure Alpaca
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A superb rare 1940s / 1950s oversized club chair reminiscent of Maison Gouffe / Jean Royere. Newly upholstered in a premium, soft, dark grey (wit...
Alpaca, Wood
$8,500
H 34 in W 25.5 in D 22 in
Alfred Porteneuve French Art Deco single armchair, restored and refinished. 1935
By Alfred Porteneuve, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco mahogany armchair, circa 1935, by Alfred Porteneuve in the style of Ruhlmann. This chair has been correctly restored and refinished and is ready to be upholstered. 25...
Mahogany
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 21.5 in D 17.5 in
Warren McArthur Aluminium Armchair Style No 1170 AU, circa 1939
By Warren McArthur Corporation, Warren McArthur
Located in Camden, ME
A Warren McArthur aluminium armchair style no 1170 AU in excellent vintage condition. This chair is a classic example of Warren's mastery of tube bending. The elongated S of the b...
Aluminum
$5,001 / set
H 33.86 in W 28.35 in D 35.04 in
1930s Rare Restored Adjustable Art Deco Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- carefully refurbished - Newly upholstered - Adjustable backrest 86-95 cm - Height of seat 39 cm
Fabric, Wood
$7,500
H 30 in W 65.75 in D 34.5 in L 30 in
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann 1925 Hydravion Sofa in off White & Gilt Legs 1980s Copy
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Richard Himmel, Interior Crafts
Located in St. Louis, MO
After Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann 1925 "HYDRAVION" Sofa, the H-42488 love seat sofa re-introduced by Interior Crafts and interior designer RICHARD HIMMEL of Chicago in 1982. This sofa with its swooped back on gold leaf legs...
Upholstery, Giltwood
Art Deco Armchair .
Located in Kraków, Małopolska
Art Deco armchair from 1930 Czech Republic. Every piece of furniture that leaves our workshop from the beginning to the end is subjected to manual ren...
Walnut
$13,900
H 33.25 in W 20.75 in D 19 in
Antique Biedermeier Armchair, Mahogany & Maplewood, Circa 1820-1840
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-brown, antique Biedermeier German single armchair made of hand crafted shellac polished Mahogany, the fiber décor is made of Maplewood in good condition. The seat backrest of...
Mahogany, Maple
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
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