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.
Original Walnut ArtDeco Pair of Armchairs, Jules Leleu, France, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Original Walnut Art Deco Pair of Armchairs by Jules Leleu. Designer: Jules Leleu Source: France Period: 1930-1939 Material: Walnut Revived polis...
Wood, Walnut
$683
H 13.39 in W 9.45 in D 5.91 in
Art Deco Original Round Barbola Bevelled Mirror Floral, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
Gorgeous and totally original Art Deco Barbola Bevelled round Mirror. This is absolutely stunning beautiful piece, totally original, made in England and dates to the 1930's. Stunning...
Mirror, Plaster
$2,760 / set
H 36.62 in W 28.75 in D 1.26 in
Matching Pair of Midcentury Burr Walnut & Gold Plated Renato Zevi Wall Mirrors
By Renato Zevi
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale stunning pair of Mid-Century Modern Rento Zevi Burr Walnut with gold plating wall mirrors A very good looking highly decorative and collectable pair of mirrors. Zevi’s work has an almost cult like following, you will see a thousand different bookcases and coffee tables but a single wall mirror never comes up for sale and a pair is unheard of Each mirror has the original Renato Zevi label and one is additionally stamped made in Italy, the burr walnut frames...
Mirror, Burl
Art Deco French Wall Mirror, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's French Art Deco wall mirror with geometric and floral motif details. Lovely shape and design and typical colourway for these mirrors. The Mirror itself is in great co...
Mirror, Boxwood
Pair of French Louis XV Style Gilt Oval Mirrors
Located in Cypress, CA
Pair of French Louis XV style gilt oval mirrors. Mid-20th century. The mirrors are surmounted with a carved gilt ribbon, each decorated in a fruiting, floral and foliate motif t...
Mirror
$1,973
H 19.3 in W 14.57 in D 1.19 in
Napoleon III Black Chinoiserie Mirror from the estate of Jules Verne
Located in Hastings, GB
Stunning 19th century Napoleon III French black lacquered Chinoiserie mirror, acquired from the estate of descendants of Jules Verne’s family, the Salomon-Mortello family, following ...
Wood
Antique French Art Deco Wrought Iron Mirror, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French mirror wrought iron patinated of triangular shape, Art Deco period, circa 1930. Forged metal frame orned with stylised ribbons and holly leaves. Antique original bevel...
Iron, Wrought Iron
French Antique Oval Mirror, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
French oval mirror, early 20th century. Painting imitation wood and gilded floral ornaments framing the glass. Patina over time, origin color. Partial restored, re-gilding to the patinated leaf. Antique...
Gesso, Wood
French Art Deco Amber Peach Bevelled Wall Mirror, 1930s
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning 1930s French Art Deco amber peach bevelled wall mirror. A very decorative piece will suit any room of the house. The back of the frame is made of oak and has the original chain. Each outer glass is bevelled around the edge which pulls lights...
Mirror
$5,000 / set
H 17.5 in W 21 in D 1.25 in
Pair of Bruxelles Art Deco Mirrors, A. Leroy, Belgium, circa 1930, Labeled
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Bruxelles Art Deco mirrors, A. Leroy, Belgium, circa 1935-1940, labeled. Palm wood, original plaquets on verso, original antique glass, second new glass, (both usable, we ca...
Mirror, Palmwood
Period Art Deco Mantle Mirror Vintage Glass, 1930s
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Classic art deco mantle mirror we date to the 1930s. Great look, would be a perfect addition to any 1930s themed room or look. Glass is clear ...
Mirror
$1,500
H 48.5 in W 20.5 in D 1 in
Handsome Pair of Lattice Top Walnut Mirrors American Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome pair of solid walnut lattice top mirrors. Well-crafted and very stylish these mirror can be used in any room together or separately.
Mirror, Walnut
$4,500 / set
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 0.79 in
Pair of Chrome Metal Mirrors, Art Deco Period, France, circa 1940
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of chrome metal mirrors. Art Deco period, France, circa 1940.
Metal, Chrome
Rare Art Deco Period Gilt bronze Mirror by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare Art Deco period gilt bronze mirror by Jules Leleu, the top and base with typical bow form centered with a shell motif , fitted with electrified scrolling candlestick on each sid...
Bronze