Furniture Porn - The Ruhlmann Auction at Sotheby's

It was all Deco; all exquisite; all wood.



One of my all-time favorite furniture designers and makers is French Art Deco master Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. On December 16, 2010 a rare event took place at Sotheby's New York when nine unusual furniture pieces made in 1929 and 1930 by Ruhlmann`s legendary atelier were sold at auction. This marked the first time in more than 10 years that such a complete collection of his works were offered for sale.

The final hammer price of several pieces far exceeded the pre-auction estimates. The "Ventru" Sideboard in particular went for over $1,500,000.00.

Please enjoy the images that follow.






"EGYPTIEN" DROP-FRONT DESK, MODEL 1545 AR/1608 NR

Executed September 1929

Branded Ruhlmann twice and with the A atelier mark

Macassar ebony veneer over oak, varnished cellulose heightened with red color, ivory trim, silvered bronze pulls and sabots, interior lined with doe skin, ivory pulls, and fruitwood compartments

Measurements: 54 x 27 ¼ x 17 in. (137.1 x 69.2 x 43.2 cm)

Pre-auction estimate: $300,000—500,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $626,500 USD





"VUILLERME" DINING TABLE, MODEL 1014 AR/1306 NR

Executed August 1929

Branded Ruhlmann

Macassar ebony veneer over oak and silvered bronze

Measurements closed: 30 1/4 x 43 1/2 x 63 inches (76.2 x 110.5 x 160 cm)
Measurements open: 30 1/4 x 43 1/2 x 109 inches open (76.2 x 110.5 x 277 cm)

Pre-auction estimate: $200,000—300,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $866,500 USD





SET OF TWELVE "CANNELÉE" DINING CHAIRS, MODEL 77 AR/88 NR

Executed August 1929

Macassar ebony, silvered bronze sabots and fabric upholstery

Measurements: 37 1/2 inches high (95.2 cm)

Pre-auction estimate: $250,000—350,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $986,500 USD







"VASE" TABLE, MODEL 1804 NR

Executed February 1930

Branded Ruhlmann and with the B atelier mark

Together with: "Drouafine" side chair, Model 22 AR/1A NR, in American walnut and fabric upholstery, 34 in. (86.5 cm) high

Macassar ebony and American walnut veneers over oak, ivory pulls

Measurements: 28 x 48 x 19 ¾ in. (71.1 x 122 x 50.2 cm)

Pre-auction estimate: $120,000—180,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $182,500 USD






"VENTRU" SIDEBOARD, MODEL 2019 AR/2126 NR

Executed September 1929

Branded Ruhlmann and with the A atelier mark

Macassar ebony veneer over oak, ivory marquetry, silvered bronze feet

Measurements: 33 ¼ x 33 ¼ x 20 in. (84.5 x 84.5 x 51 cm)

Pre-auction estimate: $150,000—250,000 USD
Lot Sold. Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium: $1,516,100 USD

Good Design Always Finds a Way

"Modernism means freedom - Freedom to mix, to choose, to change; To embrace the new but hold fast to that which is good."

Edward Wormley 1907-1995



Ed Wormley is one of the great American furniture designers. He was hired by the Dunbar Furniture Company in the 1930s to revamp their furniture collection, and he used the opportunity to introduce Modern designs that incorporated European and Scandinavian innovations. The resulting furniture collection met with great success because it combined sophisticated design with mainstream accessibility.


Possibly the rarest and most sought after example of Wormley's work is the "Listen To Me" Chaise. This particular piece sold for $25,000.00 at a Sotheby's auction and I recognized it right away because I happen to possess an original full size blueprint of this very design.

It's because of this blueprint that I know a little secret about it too; namely that the cable and turnbuckle assembly is not there for aesthetic purposes. Instead it is there by necessity because without it the chaise would shimmy like a bowl of Jello.

Yes, good design always finds a way.