The Reply of Ruhlmann to the Central Heating

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Art history is inseparable from life. With Sotheby's, we see today how the generalization of comfort has impacted the work of Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann.

A century ago, the central heating is widespread in buildings. This progress was a threat to the conservation of old wooden objects, because it changed the heat balance and generated cracks. I do not teach you anything, as everyone knows it well today, but in 1926 Ruhlmann already worked on the consequences, admirably.

The bookcase that Sotheby's sells in Paris on June 4 is made of wood, but all the pieces of support are in silvered steel. It is constituted with four rows of five mobile boxes in mahogany. The panels are in Macassar ebony.

Ruhlmann combines wood and metal for a harmonious and aesthetic result. The master designer of the Art Déco, who was not himself a carpenter, helped enormously in these important and irreversible changes in the art of furniture which characterized the twentieth century.

Back to conclude with our sale: this furniture, 153 cm high, 196 cm wide, 40 cm deep, is estimated 300 K €. It is a unique piece which was presented the year of its creation at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

The piano designed by Ruhlmann was sold 500 K € premium included, around its low estimate.

Of more simple (perhaps too simple) shape, the bookcase has not been sold.