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.
Secretary / Bookcase Cabinet by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
A Macassar ebony Secretary / Bookcase cabinet with a rectangular stepped top above an open recess and a fall front enclosing a fitted interior, flanked by cupboard doors enclosing sh...
Macassar, Ebony
$10,400 / item
H 86 in W 67 in D 18.25 in
Mahogany Georgian Style Four Door Bookcase China Cabinet by Leighton Hall
By Leighton Hall Furniture
Located in Suwanee, GA
This a traditional mahogany breakfront bookcase or china cabinet with four doors by Leighton Hall. It features four bottom doors with swirly crotch mahogany fields and straight grain mahogany borders. The top four doors feature grills with individually paned glass. The drawers are masterfully dovetailed and the drawer boxes are made of oak. The hardware is solid brass. The cabinet has dimmable lighting and mortised door locks. Each section has multiple adjustable 3/8 in. glass shelves. It has a hand rubbed satin finish. This cabinet is an excellent compliment to our custom mahogany dining tables...
Mahogany
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 62 in W 42 in D 15 in
Art Deco Two Tone Solid Teak & Rosewood Showcase Cum Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Circa 1930-35 Solid, refined two tone hand crafted teak and rosewood showcase/bookcase cabinet with sturdy teak removable shelves and locking doors. Renewed hardware. Peg work...
Rosewood, Teak
19th Century English Sheraton Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Forney, TX
Elegant sophistication at its finest, an outstanding, very fine quality, monumental sized, early 19th century English Sheraton two piece bookcase cabinet. The exquisitely handcrafted...
Bronze, Ormolu
English Mahogany Wood Cabinet / Bookcase
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Great English craftsmanship two parts mahogany wood china cabinet / bookcase with interior glass shelves & exterior Greek key influence woo...
Brass
Modern Bookcase Cabinet The Peabody Collection
By Lawrence Peabody, Craft Associates
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Lawrence Peabody Manufacturer: Craft Associates Furniture Period/Model: Mid-Century Modern Specs: Black walnut, Claro walnut veneer This Lawrence Peabody modern bookcase ...
Walnut
English Grand Library Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large and luxurious 19th century English cabinet, wall unit crafted in mahogany with an architecturally significant design, featuring cornices, paneled doors, campaign brass hardware...
Mahogany
$1,795
H 54 in W 32 in D 14 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Lighted Bookcase or Display Cabinet by Henredon
By Milo Baughman, Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Milo Baughman style lighted display cabinet or bookcase with glass front doors By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, 1980s Burled olive wood, with ash case and...
Glass, Mirror, Ash, Ebony, Burl
Mogens Koch Cabinet and Bookcase for Rud. Rasmussen
By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet and a bookcase in black stained oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/COPENHAGEN/DENMARK.
Oak
$18,500
H 39.5 in W 61 in D 20 in
Art Deco Macassar 2-Door Cabinet, in the manner of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in San Francisco, CA
a rare Art Deco cabinet with rectangular top with notched corners above a conforming body fitted with two hinged doors opening to reveal a divided interior; all raised on long sweepi...
Macassar
Monumental English 19th C Ironmongers Pine Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 Monumental English 19th C Ironmongers open Pine Bookcase Cabinet in original colour Measures: W 286 x D 25 x H 113 cm.
Pine
Gradient Bookcase / Cabinet 'HALO' by Buzao
By Buzao
Located in Paris, IDF
'HALO' collection by Buzao - Bookcase or cabinet Laminated dichroic glass, gradient colors 100 x 40 x H 139 cm Studio Buzao from Guangzhou (China) is ...
Glass
Mogens Koch Cabinet and Bookcase for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch cabinet and a bookcase in stained oak. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/45 NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN.
Oak
Sold
H 74.02 in W 30.32 in D 16.93 in
Art Deco French E.J Ruhlmann Bookcase, Hardwood, Brass and Lemongrass
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind refined bookcase by E.J Ruhlman workshop French Art Deco, in an refined hardwood and lemon wood in the interior, brass to frame and embellish. It has one door on the to...
Brass