A designer and ensemblier, Jules Leleu was one of the key authors of the Art Deco movement. While he did not win the fame of such contemporaries as Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean-Michel Frank, Leleu had a longer career and was easily their peer in the conception of trim, refined furniture forms and in the use of the opulent materials — from lacquer and ivory to sharkskin and exotic woods — that were a keynote of haute Art Deco design.
Leleu was born into a family of artisans and decorators. Their firm, Maison Leleu, had existed since the 18th century and Jules would guide it through much of the 20th. (The business lasted until 1973, headed at the end by Jules's children.) He studied architecture, served as an aviator in World War I, and after the conflict took up design full-time.
Leleu presented work at the 1925 exposition in Paris that gave us the term Art Deco, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York purchased a burl amboyna wood commode by Leleu directly from the show.
As the desks, dining tables and other furniture on 1stDibs show, Leleu was a stickler for precision craft and preferred to let his materials do the talking — his furniture is generally spare and sleek; its presence is established by figuring (or patterning/graining) in the wood and the occasional marquetry medallion. He had a keen eye for currents in design and an adaptable sensibility.
Maison Leleu would embrace many of the starker forms of modernism after the 1940s, as well as new materials such as artificial lacquer and plastics (then considered cutting-edge rather than cheap). Jules Leleu is a guiding light of 20th-century modernism: a man whose work represents both a devotion to traditional handiwork and an appreciation for the next wave in design.
Find Jules Leleu tables, sideboards, dining chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Rare Fine French 1950s Glass and Brass Flush Mount by Leleu
By Martin et Guenier, Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 – 1961) - A fine French Mid-Century ceiling light mounted on a round brass frame, which holds a frosted glass diffuser and twisted cane-shaped acrylic ornaments. ...
Bronze
Murano Glass Flush Mount or Wall Lamp, Italy, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large and elegant Mid-Century Modern Sputnik flush mount or wall lamp. Manufactured probably in Murano in Italy, 1950s. The lamp is executed in opaline glass, and gilded metal. I...
Metal
$2,341
H 12 in Dm 24.8 in
Large 1950s Mid-Century Glass Art and Brass Leaf Three-Light Semi-Flush Mount
Located in Lisse, NL
Some ceiling lights are designed merely to illuminate a room; this beautifully balanced 1950s fixture was clearly intended to become part of its architecture. At almost 25 inches in...
Metal, Brass
French Art Deco Milk Glass Large Flush Mount, Bronze Mounted, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A large Art Deco leaded glass ceiling lamp with bronze mounts, France 1950s. Beautiful large conical milky white glass shade reflecting a pleasan...
Bronze, Lead
Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful ceiling light with hand-painted glass shade and brass metal base. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in good vintage c...
Brass
Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Ceiling light with painted surface and base in porcelain. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in very good vintage condition. The lamp uses...
Porcelain, Glass
Scandinavian Flush Mount Ceiling Light, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful ceiling light with copper cup, shades in painted steel, and opaline glass cupola. Designed and made in Norway from ca 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in ver...
Metal, Brass, Copper
French Large Bronze Crystal Six-Light Flush Mounted Chandelier, France, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Impressive large faceted crystal six-light flush mount, France, 1950s. Chains of faceted crystal prismas in several sizes conneting to a solid gilt bronze frame forming a dome ending at the bottom with a large crystal ball...
Crystal, Brass, Bronze
Iridescent Murano Glass and Brass Floral Flush Mount
Located in Antwerp, BE
Iridescent Murano glass and brass floral ceiling light or wall light. Italy,1970s Measures: Diameter 54 cm. Height 30 cm. Five E14 bulbs.
Brass
Antique Crystal Chandelier / Flush Mount, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant mid-century ceiling fixture dating to the 1950s, featuring a circular chrome-plated metal frame adorned with faceted crystal elements. The upper band is decorated with geomet...
Crystal
French Designer, Flush Mount, Metal, Glass, Brass, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered metal, white opaline glass and brass flush mount designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Some patina on brass and minor scratches on black fixture. Wear consist...
Metal, Brass
Arredoluce Attributed Chandelier Flush Mount, Italy 1950s
By Arredoluce
Located in Long Island City, NY
Arredoluce chandelier, attributed. Designed and manufactured in Italy in 1950s. Opaline glass, patinated brass. 10 branches with glass shades. Restored with beautiful patina. Rewired...
Brass
Flush Mount Ceiling Light, Norway, 1950s
Located in Oslo, NO
Decorative ceiling lamp with surface decorated shade in glass and porcelain base. Designed and made in Norway from circa 1950s first half. The lamp is fully working and in very good ...
Porcelain, Blown Glass
Fine French 1960s Flush Mount by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Mid-Century Ceiling light with a bronze frame, four lateral Lucite diffusers and four Holophane glass bottom diffusers. Documentation: "Leleu, decorateur ...
Bronze