{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O131459"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O131459/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL1526/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AL1526/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AL1526","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O131459/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O131459","accessionNumber":"CIRC.363:1 to 5-1970","objectType":"Writing table","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"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.","physicalDescription":"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.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Ruhlmann, Emile Jacques","id":"A6725"},"association":{"text":"maker","id":"x40240"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"ebony","id":"AAT12055"},{"text":"mahogany","id":"AAT12221"},{"text":"leather","id":"AAT11845"}],"techniques":[{"text":"tooling","id":"AAT256003"},{"text":"veneering","id":"AAT53878"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Macassar ebony veneer and solid mahogany, with a gilt-tooled calf-leather top","categories":[{"text":"Furniture","id":"THES48948"}],"styles":[{"text":"Art Deco","id":"AAT21426"}],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2006AL1526"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES344264"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES344264"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES344264"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES344264"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES302805"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Writing table","id":""}],[{"text":"Drawer","id":""}],[{"text":"Drawer","id":""}],[{"text":"Drawer","id":""}],[{"text":"key","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Paris","id":"x29068"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1925","earliest":"1920-01-01","latest":"1929-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Donald Parker","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Width","value":"1224","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Height","value":"745","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"Dimensions taken from object file; not checked on object.","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Given in 1970 by Donald Parker [69/3030]\r\n\r\nThis table formed part of a suite said to have been shown at the Paris Expo of 1925.\r\n","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Writing table of mahogany with macassar ebony veneer, calf leather top and gilt tooling; French, designed and manufactured by Ruhlmann, ca. 1925","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"Writing Table\r\nDesigned by Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (French, 1879-1933)\r\nMade by Ruhlmann, Paris\r\nMacassar ebony veneer, the top covered in (replacement) calf lather with gold tooling\r\nAbout 1925","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["CIRC.363:1-1970","CIRC.363:2-1970","CIRC.363:3-1970","CIRC.363:4-1970","CIRC.363:5-1970"],"accessionNumberNum":"363","accessionNumberPrefix":"CIRC","accessionYear":1970,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","Writing table","Drawer [1]","Drawer [2]","Drawer [3]","key"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-12-08","recordCreationDate":"2007-02-07","availableToBook":true}}