Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann is considered one of the greatest of the French cabinetmakers of the twentieth century and is often compared to such great ébénistes as Jean-Henri Riesener, who worked for Louis XVI. Ruhlmann brought elegance, refinement, and taste to French cabinetmaking, qualities unequaled by his contemporaries and unsurpassed by his successors.

A copy of a Certificate of Authenticity from Ruhlmann shows that this bed was executed in Studio B in June 1930 for the residence of Madame Jane Renouardt at 2 Rue Buzenval, St.-Cloud. It is listed as "bed (sun) model no. 807, example no. 2 and the letterhead bears Ruhlmann's title and addresss, "Meublier à Paris, 27 Rue de Lisbonne." It also bears the stamp of his signature and Studio B. Jane Renouardt was a well-known actress on the French stage and commissioned the firm of Süe et Mare to design and build her house at St.-Cloud in 1924.

The bed employs Ruhlmann's favorite wood, Macassar ebony, on a white oak base with a brilliant cellulose finish. The headboard is a remarkable example of the skill of Ruhlmann's craftsmen. The "sun bed" was eventually moved from St.-Cloud to Madame Renouardt's apartment in Paris. A second "sun bed", similar in design but lacking the two small built in tables, was also made for Madame Renouardt and her husband.

Ruhlmann had an elite and extravagant clientele. Because his work required a great deal of time and skill to complete, and because he used rare materials, Ruhlmann's furnishings were very expensive. For example, it is recorded that one of this craftsmen word 252 1/2 hours to make this bed, which was sold in 1930 for the exorbitant sum of 11,375 francs, equivalent to about one-half of the workman's annual salary.