EMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN (1879-1933), Circa 1925

EMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN rolltop desk

#1194

Roll-top desk in ivory-inlaid macassar ebony, ‘Boudoir du Collectionneur’ model, no. 1512AR and 1603 NR, rectangular, with a scrolling, retractable slatted top set within a raised border of ivory and macassar dentils, the front apron with two short drawers with ivory pulls and a central long drawer with circular ivory escutcheon; raised on two tapering front legs set with ivory stringing topped by ivory scrolls and ending in ivory sabots, the back legs with rounded edges ending in ivory sabots. The interior veneered in amaranth and ash and outfitted with two drawers, shelves and compartment with a door, with a brown-leather and gold gilt detail writing surface.

Desk branded ‘Ruhlmann’ (twice) and ‘A’ within a circle

Measurements

  • Height: 34 3/4 in (88.3 cm)
  • Width: 39 in (99 cm)
  • Depth:Depth: 24 in (61 cm)

Literature

Victor Arwas, Art Deco, New York:  Harry N. Abrams, 1980, p. 58 (similar model illustrated).
Yvonne Brunhammer, 1925, Paris:  Les Presses de la Connaissance, 1976, p. 52 (similar model illustrated).
Yvonne Brunhammer and Suzanne Tise, French Decorative Art, 1900-1940, Paris:  Editions Flammarion, 1990, p. 112 (similar model illustrated).
Florence Camard, Ruhlmann, Master of Art Deco, New York:  Harry N. Abrams, 1984, p. 180 (design of a lady’s bedroom including the desk), p. 224 (a design for the model), p. 287 (similar model illustrated).
René Chavance, “Le XIVème Salon des Artistes Décorateurs”, Art et Décoration, January-June, 1923, Vol. XLIII, p. 180-181 (similar model illustrated).
Alastair Duncan, Art Deco Furniture, New York:  Holt Rinehart and Winston, 1984, p. 108, ill. 57 (similar model illustrated).
Pierre Kjellberg, Art Deco, Les Maitres du Mobilier, p. 155 (similar model illustrated) and p. 14 (watercolor of the Boudoir du Collectionneur).
Alain Lesieutre, The Spirit and Splendour of  Art Deco, Secaucus:  Castle Books, 1974, p.109, p.141 (fig.115) (similar model illustrated).
Jacques Boulenger, “Regard sur le Passe”, L’Illustration, 27 May 1933.(similar model illustrated).
Les Echos des Industries d’Art, March 1927, Vol.20, Cover, (similar model illustrated).
Albert Levy,L’Art Decoratif Francais 1918-1925, Paris,: Editions Albert Levy,1925, p.17 (similar model illustrated).
Ch. Massin, Mobilier 1900-1925, Paris, Editions Ch. Massin, 1991, p.65 (similar model illustrated).

Provenance

Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Jourda, Paris, 1928.

This desk is accompanied by an original Ruhlmann bill of sale, noting details about the model, the materials, and the client for whom it was made, as well as containing the production number and the fact that the cabinet is example number 7, and also bearing facsimiles of the branded Ruhlmann signature and atelier marks.