Writing Table
ca. 1925 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879-1933) was a furniture and interior designer based in Paris during the first third of the twentieth century. His work is regarded as some of the finest in the Art Deco style, which became popular in America, Europe and beyond between about 1910 and 1939. Ruhlmann was famed for his exquisitely crafted furniture and interiors where he often employed non-European and expensive materials. The use of macassar ebony to veneer this table's surfaces would have ensured that it was affordable only to the wealthiest buyer. The designer called his more richly crafted creations his 'precious pieces'. We do not know if this table was one of these but the elegant lines and expensive materials are typical of Ruhlmann's work. The designer himself never received any formal training in cabinet-making, but he collaborated closely with the craftsmen that he recruited to ensure that his designs were carried out to the highest possible standard.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Macassar ebony veneer and solid mahogany, with a gilt-tooled calf-leather top |
| Brief description | Writing table of mahogany with macassar ebony veneer, calf leather top and gilt tooling; French, designed and manufactured by Ruhlmann, ca. 1925 |
| Physical description | Writing table of mahogany, the top and legs veneered in macassar ebony with a working surface covered in a (modern replacement) calf leather having a gold tooled border; the base of mahogany; the top with a stepped edge and three drawers at front; one long central drawer with key, one short drawer either side of this; table top supported by three legs at each side in middle and set in from the edge of the table top, legs curve to a horizontal near their bottom and locate in the sides of a rectagular base which in turn is fixed to a rectagular plinth. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label |
|
| Credit line | Given by Donald Parker |
| Object history | Given in 1970 by Donald Parker [69/3030] This table formed part of a suite said to have been shown at the Paris Expo of 1925. |
| Summary | Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (1879-1933) was a furniture and interior designer based in Paris during the first third of the twentieth century. His work is regarded as some of the finest in the Art Deco style, which became popular in America, Europe and beyond between about 1910 and 1939. Ruhlmann was famed for his exquisitely crafted furniture and interiors where he often employed non-European and expensive materials. The use of macassar ebony to veneer this table's surfaces would have ensured that it was affordable only to the wealthiest buyer. The designer called his more richly crafted creations his 'precious pieces'. We do not know if this table was one of these but the elegant lines and expensive materials are typical of Ruhlmann's work. The designer himself never received any formal training in cabinet-making, but he collaborated closely with the craftsmen that he recruited to ensure that his designs were carried out to the highest possible standard. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.363:1 to 5-1970 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 7, 2007 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
