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.
$74,093 / 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
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
$68,393 / 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
Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann Pair of Early 20th Century Chairs for Cité Universitaire
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in PARIS, FR
Emblematic pair of chairs by Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann for la Cité Universitaire in Paris.
Fabric, Oak
$6,806 / set
H 36 in W 18 in D 23 in
Set of 4 Black Leather Cantilevered Dining Chairs with Matt Chrome Feet
By Peter Draenert
Located in Chicago, IL
Elegantly finished and extremely comfortable design chairs by Draenert. Made in Germany. Set of 4 cantilevered chairs in black leather with matt chrome skids. Dimensions 18"...
Chrome
$6,800 / set
H 40.5 in W 24 in D 27 in
Set of Eight French Art Deco Style Macassar Ebony Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A dramatic set of eight 20th century French Art Deco style dining chairs featuring an exotic Macassar ebony veneered and lacquered finish. The large set consists of eight armchairs. ...
Ebony, Macassar, Fabric
$4,400 / set
H 33.5 in W 26 in D 18.38 in
Antique Pair of Wrought-Iron and Leather Savonarola Chairs, early 20th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
PAIR OF POLYCHROMED WROUGHT-IRON AND SADDLE-LEATHER SAVONAROLA CHAIRS With cerule form, probably early 20th century 33 1/2" H x 18 3/8" D x 26" W; 19 1/4" H to seat A very compelli...
Wrought Iron
$2,193Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 22.84 in D 22.05 in
Pair of Finnish early 20th century brutalist hand carved pine chairs
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the timeless charm of our Pair of early 20th century brutalist pine chairs. Hand-carved from one piece of wood, these unique pieces showcase extraordinary craftsmanship and ...
Pine
$2,204 / set
H 36.03 in W 15.36 in D 18.31 in
Rustic Wood French Chairs Set of Four, Art Deco Style, Circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of four rustic wood French chairs. Manufactured in French, circa 1950. In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Ma...
Rattan, Wood
$9,119
H 35.04 in W 19.69 in D 20.08 in
1/2 ART-DECO NEOCLASSIC CHAIR att. to JEAN PASCAUD, France 1930
By Jean Pascaud, Léon Jallot, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in PARIS, FR
Armchair Attributed to Jean Pascaud – France, circa 1940 A refined French armchair dating from the 1940s, attributed to Jean Pascaud, featuring a gracefully curved blond wood frame ...
Fabric, Oak
$3,773 / set
H 40.95 in W 15.75 in D 14.97 in
Pair of Early 20th Century Italian Sgabello Chairs with Inlay
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A striking pair of Italian sgabello chairs dating from the early 20th century, distinguished by their architectural silhouettes and geometric b...
Black Walnut
$3,381 / item
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
Pair of decorative chairs
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Pair of decorative organic wood chairs
Wood
Set of Four French Art Deco chairs
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning set of four French Art Deco chairs. Two of the chairs having arm rest while the other two are armless. Upholstered with floral design on the seat back and the seat. The wood...
Wood
Early 20th Century English Garden Chairs
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Early 20th century English garden chairs. Made of cast iron with some paint loss. We have three available.
Iron
Pair of Early 20th Century French Low Rustic Oak Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rustic solid oak chairs exude a robust charm with their sturdy, handmade quality and stark geometric silhouette. The elemental design highlights the durable oak construction,...
Oak
$16,850 / set
H 33 in W 39.5 in D 33 in
Pair of French Art Deco Club Chairs Attributed To Jacques Adnet
By André Arbus, Jacques Adnet, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu, Dominique
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of French Art Deco Club chairs by Jacques Adnet. Pair of French club chairs or lounge chairs by Jacques Adnet. This stunning pair of sculptural French Art Deco club chairs, loun...
Oak
Pair of Art Deco 'Cloud' Chairs
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A pair of Art Deco 'Cloud' Chairs by Harry & Lou Epstein. Birdseye Maple veneered with moss green fabric re-upholstery.
Fabric, Birdseye Maple
$38,000
H 33.08 in W 23.23 in D 26.38 in
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 '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
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
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: 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