French Art Deco Carpet, by Jacques Emile Ruhlmann, Country of Origin: France, Circa Date: First quarter of the 20th century – around the 1920’s – This brilliant Art Deco rug by Jacques Emile Ruhlman is from the first quarter of the 20th century. Ruhlman’s work is iconic, and he is considered one of the artists who laid the foundation for the development of the Art Deco movement that was brought to the world in a 1925 Paris exhibition.
This piece has several elements that would come to define the Art Deco style. First off, the color says Art Deco in every way. The style was characterized by bold colors and contrast that creates sharp lines. The highly geometric form of the piece would also become a hallmark of the style. The concentric squares give the illusion of depth and distance. This would later be seen throughout art and architecture of the period.
Many of the motifs and designs would also be copied by other artists and would become a part of the artistic language that defined Art Deco style. The border pattern of this rug would become an iconic motif throughout the Art Deco style. The soft, stylized roses and leaves set against the angular lines would also become a part of the Art Deco repertoire. It also gives the piece a hint of Oriental flavor that was also popular at the time. The piece combines many elements that defined the style and captured the feeling of the era.
At the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris, an entire room was dedicated to the work of Ruhlman in an exhibition that he called Pavilion d’ un Collectionneur. In this room, his carpets were paired with pieces that included exotic woods, metal accents, and ivory pieces. In contemporary design, it is possible to take inspiration from this early exhibition in our modern spaces. Mixed metals and exotic woods are once again a part of the modern design repertoire in recent years.
This is a magnificent piece that is an important part of art history. It has an Oriental feel, but also one that is geometric and abstract. This eclectic combination of stylistic components would become familiar up through the midcentury. This antique rug would be the perfect piece for minimalist furniture and or vintage pieces. In today’s décor, it is the perfect piece for giving the room an authentic vintage feel.