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 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 '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'. R...
Glass, Ebony, Macassar
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, Wood, Walnut, Burl
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 36.25 in W 52 in D 19 in
French Art Deco Style Steel Ebonized Lacquered Walnut Marble Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This French Art Deco style steel, ebonized lacquered walnut, and marble console table embodies the bold elegance and refined craftsmanship that defined the glamour of the 1920s and 1...
Marble, Steel
$6,396Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.5 in W 49.5 in D 26 in
Modern Superb French Art Deco Macassar Ebony Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann Style
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This modern superb French Art Deco Macassar ebony table in the manner of Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann captures the timeless sophistication and luxury associated with one of the most celebr...
Macassar
Pair of French 1940s Consoles
By Travail Francais
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Pair of 1940s wall consoles in cast iron and Sienna marble top. Measures: Height 32.3", width 30.1".
Marble, Iron
$13,890 / item
H 31.5 in W 66.93 in D 15.75 in
Art Deco Fontaine Console Table, Macassar Ebony, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, GF Modern
Located in Lisboa, PT
Art Deco Fontaine Console Table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Fontaine console table is named after Jean de La Fontaine, the renowned Frenc...
Onyx, Marble, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel, Gold Leaf
Rare Gilbert Rohde Macassar Ebony Table model #3773
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A Gilbert Rohde Dressing Table Manufactured by Herman Miller 1937 Can be used as a Vanity or a desk Beautiful Grain pattern to Maccasar Ebony Original surface to Nickel Plated Metal...
Macassar
$17,175
H 33 in W 74 in D 17 in
'Giorgio Collection' Luna Ebony Macassar Wood High Gloss Italian Console Table
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco style console with top in sunburst ebony Macassar wood with 6mm filet in Zebra veneer in high gloss polyester. 1 full extension ebony center drawer with bottom velvet and eb...
Chrome
Macassar Ebony Coffee Table
By Objectiques
Located in Bronx, NY
Gorgeous example of the best of Macassar ebony in this oval coffee table in high-gloss, very durable finish with matte lacquered base. This can also be ...
Ebony, Macassar, Maple
Mahogany Console Table
By Jimeco ltda
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This decorative console table is made in mahogany with the bowed legs in champagne colored silver leaf. The foot as well as the tabletop have several curved layers and are made with ...
Silver Leaf
$18,500
H 17 in W 58 in D 31 in
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann French Art Deco Style Rectangular Coffee Table, Macassar
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Manhasset, NY
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann French Art Deco Style Rectangular Coffee Table, Macassar Ebony Low table is the style of Émile-Jacques Ruhlman's "Cabanel Basse-Boule" coffee table originally ...
Wood, Ebony, Macassar
Burl Wood and Metal Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With a unique surface using contrasting squares of burl wood, this Mid-Century Modern console table features an interesting base of metal with a yellowish golden tint. Please confirm...
Metal
Oak Parquetry Two Tier Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
An oak parquetry two-tier console table with mirrored herringbone oak parquetry on its top and drawer faces. This two-tiered table includes three fr...
Wood
Mahogany Console Table
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
A George III period mahogany side table in the neo-classical Adam style. The moulded serpentine top raised over a carved frieze of classical decoration, the long central drawer finel...
Mahogany