Made from macassar ebony and American walnut and accented with gilt bronze and ivory, Ruhlmann first displayed the style at the landmark 1925 Paris art deco exposition.

WSJ: Rare Ruhlmann piano to be auctioned in NYC

French designer Ruhlmann (1879-1933) was known for using ivory and rare woods like Macassar ebony to make pieces with streamlined shapes and simple curves a departure from the ornate, florid carvings of the Art Nouveau style that predated him.

WSJ: Christie's to Auction Steven Greenberg's Art Deco Collection