Upon graduating from the École Boulle, Armand Albert Rateau joined the renowned decorator Georges Hoentschel. At 23, he became the artistic director at Alavoine et Compagnie, one of the leading decoration firms of the time.

In 1919, Rateau set up his own practice in a private mansion, which became a focal point for his aesthetic choices, gradually defining his style. One of his most notable achievements was designing Jeanne Lanvin's apartment at 16 rue Barbet-de-Jouy in Paris, the former mansion of the Marquise Arconati-Visconti. Much of this furniture is now preserved at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, thanks to a donation by Jeanne Lanvin's daughter and son-in-law, Prince Louis de Polignac.

In the 1920s, Rateau developed a distinctive style, inspired by antiquity and incorporating an original animal-themed repertoire. Contrary to the trends of the time, his bronze furniture appealed to the most refined aesthetes. His European and American clientele included wealthy collectors, businessmen, and aristocrats.

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