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
Flush Mount Light in Brass and Glass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian opaline glass and brass flush mount light with three E27 bulbs. Diameter 48 cm. Height 11 cm. Weight 4 kg.
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
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
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
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
Venini, Flush Mount, Glass, Brass, Italy, 1950s
By Venini
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and Murano glass flush mount produced by Venini, Italy, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.0"H x 10.8"W x 10.8"D Bulb Specifications: E-14 (European) Bulbs Number of...
Brass
French Designer, Flush Mount, Wood, Brass, Glass, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A white opaline glass, brass, and wood flush mount or wall light designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina on brass. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dim...
Brass
Large French Vintage Wall Ceiling Light Flush Mount, 1950s
By Mathieu Matégot
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful midcentury flush mount attributed to Mathieu Matégot. France, 1950s. Perforated, enameled metal shield with brass and lucite. Lamp sockets: 4.
Metal, Brass
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
Swedish Design Mid-Century Brass Textile Flush Mount, Finland, 1950s
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Beautiful and timeless Swedish design flush mount manufactured in Shweden, 1950-1959. Large off-white Textile shade and brass mounted. This pendant takes one E27 screw base bulb for ...
Metal, Brass
French Large Bronze Crystal Flush Mounted Chandelier, 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
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