Art Deco | The Weekend Design

Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann was mentioned in one of Elle Decor’s luxury issues in November 2012–admittedly a favorite issue. He was appropriately included in such an issue as the epitome of luxury, in an era steeped on its precipice (the 1920’s–quite literally). Ruhlmann is widely regarded as one of the finest furniture makers of the 20th century–he employed dozens of artisans, who labored endlessly to create his envisioned designs. He held the art of furniture-making more esteemed than profit or pragmatism. His words are quite telling:

A clientele of artists, intellectuals and connoisseurs of modest means is very congenial, but they are not in a position to pay for all the research, the experimentation, the testing that is needed to develop a new design. Only the very rich can pay for what is new and they alone can make it fashionable. Fashions don’t start among the common people. Along with satisfying a desire for change, fashion’s real purpose is to display wealth.

Whether you want it or not, a style is just a craze. And fashion does not come up from humble backgrounds.

His is the imprint of the art deco period. His pieces employ exotic materials, such as rare burled woods and ivory. His last wishes were quite direct, with full instruction to finish those pieces previously ordered prior to his passing and to wind-down the business thereafter–perhaps he understood succession planning better than many business owners. His pieces are now auctioned at Sotheby’s and Christie’s for quite luxurious prices–a pair of table lamps selling for $500,000.00 in December 2012. This story in the AP is fascinating. Love the early photographs below.