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 and Porteneuve Semi-circular Mahogany Desk
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Alfred Porteneuve
Located in Berlin, DE
A mahogany desk, designed by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and edited by Alfred Porteneuve. Semi-circular top resting on two drawer units with silvered bronze handles. A mahogany desk, d...
Bronze
Ruhlmann 'Cabanel Basse-Boule' Indian Rosewood Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
“Cabanel Basse-Boule” table in Indian rosewood and rosewood veneer on a Hungarian oak frame. The thick top rests on four large fluted spheres set on circular plinths with open rectan...
Oak, Rosewood
Ruhlmann 'Tournecol' Tinted Oak Side Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
“Tournecol” side table or nightstand in solid oak and oak veneer with an oblong shape, open compartment, and drawers resting on a roller base. Referenced under N° 1009AR and 1049N...
Oak
Art Deco Purpleheart Table by J.E. Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Zurich, CH
Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann (* August 28, 1879 in Paris; † November 15, 1933 in Paris) was a French interior and furniture designer. His elegant and finely crafted furniture and interiors...
Purpleheart
Ruhlmann 'Sulzer' Honduran Mahogany Desk
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
'Sulzer' Desk in honduran mahogany with silvered bronze details. Referenced in the Ruhlmann Archives under 1504NR. Stamped Ruhlmann with the Atelier A mark and dated 1932 on the unde...
Bronze
Ruhlmann Rare Two-Tier Macassar Ebony Console
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare two-tier console in Macassar ebony, a variation of the console originally created by Ruhlmann in 1915. The rectangular top, framed by an elegant gadroon, rests on four tall, sli...
Ebony, Macassar
Ruhlmann Kindwood and Gilt Bronze Side Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Kingwood side table with two platforms and four elegantly curved legs with gilt bronze sabots. Stamped ‘Ruhlmann’ and with the Atelier ‘A’ mark. Reference number 1001NR in the Ruhl...
Bronze
Ruhlmann 'Consolette' Mahogany and Marble Console Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Console table known as 'Consolette’ in mahogany with a black marble top and elegantly curved leg. Referenced in the Ruhlmann Archives under nos. 4002 NR t 1034 AR. The model exhibite...
Marble
Ruhlmann 'Rasson Model Macassar Ebony Small Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Alfred Porteneuve
Located in Berlin, DE
One small table ‘Rasson’ Model in Macassar ebony with glass top. The table was designed by Ruhlmann and edited by Porteneuve. Stamped 'Dessiné par Ruhlmann, Edité par Porteneuve'. Re...
Glass, Ebony, Macassar
$18,910Sale Price|20% Off
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Gueridon in Wood and Brass
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Milano, IT
Rare Art Deco Gueridon with square top. Execution of the Atelier E.J. Ruhlmann, Paris, early 1930s. Jacques-E'mile Ruhlmann - Atelier J. E. Ruhlmann. Frame veneered in fine solid wood, brass tips. Slight defects due to age and use. This rare gueridon is the perfect addition to Art Deco style furniture...
Brass
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, "Modèle Sultzer, " Art Deco Desk, Mahogany, 1932
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in New York, NY
This rare writing table in polished mahogany and silvered bronze is marked by E´mile-Jacques Ruhlmann's signature aesthetic motifs, manifest in its set of flared and tapered legs, an...
Bronze
Pair of French 1940’s Walnut Burl and Ebonized Consoles
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in North Miami, FL
Pair of French 1940’s walnut burl and Ebonized consoles with incorporated mirrors attributed to Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann.
Mirror, Burl, Walnut, Wood
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Cherry and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, cherry, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in cherry. The...
Brass
French Empire Style Bronze and Mahogany Desk Leather
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very decorative French desk in the empire style. Structure in solid mahogany and veneered, it is composed of an empire green leather under hand, three drawers with double handles and...
Bronze
French Art Deco Desk in Mahogany and Satinwood
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
French Art Deco Desk An exceptional quality French art deco desk produced in the 1920s from Mahogany and satinwood, the desk has a thick Hyde leather inset top, two lockable drawer...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Elegant Italian Small Desk in Walnut and Mahogany
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Writing desk, walnut, mahogany, brass, formica, Italy, 1950s Very elegant desk made in Italy in the 1950s. The framework is executed in walnut. The upper part of this piece is made ...
Brass
Sleek Art Deco Circular Side Table in the Style of Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art Deco Side Table Silverplated Sabots, Style of Ruhlmann France, Circa 1930s This exquisite Art Deco Side Table, made in France during the 1930s, epitomizes the timeless elegance ...
Silver Plate
Elegant French Art Deco Table, Macassar, 1940s
By Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Dining table, Macassar, France, 1940s. Majestic centre table in Macassar. This Art Deco table shows great craftsmanship. The base and legs are beautifully detailed. This table has...
Brass
Oak Parquetry Round Side Table, Dark Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak parquetry round side table with tapered oak legs. This beautiful round two-tier side table has an arranged radial design on its oak parquetry top and shelf. Shown in dusk...
Wood
Art Deco Dinning Table
By De Coene Frères
Located in London, Park Royal
Art Deco table by De Coene Freres made in a striking flame mahogany of spicy brunette and cinnamon red wood tones accentuated by a highly polished lacquer finish, traditional to the ...
Bronze
Victorian Mahogany Dickens Desk
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany dickens desk, having four drawers on each side of the top, locked with a side locker, with three green leather inserts an...
Mahogany
Italian Art Deco Dining Table
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Italian Art Deco Dining Table This stunning Art Deco dining table, a true masterpiece of Italian craftsmanship from the 1930s. Adorned with exceptional figured walnut and contrastin...
Walnut
White Oak Side Table
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This white oak side table is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is a hand-made mitered box from white oak veneer and ...
Oak
French Art Deco Dining Table by Charles Dudouyt
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
### French Art Deco Dining Table by Charles Dudouyt A magnificent French Art Deco dining table by Charles Dudouyt, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and bold architectural line...
Oak
Art Deco Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann Style Dressing Table
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Kingston, NY
Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann style Art Deco dressing table, France, "chinoise laquee" abstract eggshell inlay design by Dunand, in black lacquer, marked with ...
Wood
Art Deco Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Extension Dining Table, circa 1929
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Buffalo, NY
Beautiful and rare example, Art Deco extension table, model 1315 NR, circa 1929, Stampted Ruhlmann and a, stunning figured, richly grained Mac...
Macassar
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
E.J. Ruhlmann: Rare And Elegant 1930 Desk In Oak And Ash
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
Rare elegant desk by Emile-Jacques RUHLMANN in oak and ash with a suede top and a single large drawer with a brass knob. This very rare desk was part of the interior design for the student rooms at a University in Paris in the 1930s. Only 20 of these desks were sold at auction in 2002 when the university changed their furnishings. We also have an original 1930 chair...
Oak, Ash
E.J. Ruhlmann: Rare And Elegant 1930 Desk In Oak And Ash
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Encino, CA
Rare elegant desk by Emile-Jacques RUHLMANN in oak and ash with a suede top and a single large drawer with a brass knob. This very rare desk was part of the interior design for the student rooms at a University in Paris in the 1930s. Only 20 of these desks were sold at auction in 2002 when the university changed their furnishings. We also have an original 1930 chair...
Oak, Ash
Art Deco Dining Table by Jacques Emile Ruhlmann
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage French art deco dining table by noted designer Jacques Emile Ruhlmann. The piece has a pedestal base with stylized "scrolled" feet and...
Wood