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.
Set of Six Jules Leleu Rosewood Armchairs, Art Deco, France, Circa 1935–1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant set of six Art Deco armchairs by Jules Leleu, each with a shaped, gently arched back and generously proportioned seat in solid rosewood, the sinuous scroll-carved arms ter...
Santos Rosewood
Set of 6 Fine French 1930s Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 - 1961)- A set of six fine French Art Deco palisander dining chairs. Bibliography: Françoise Siriex, "Leleu Décorateurs Ensembliers", Éditions Monelle Hayot, Paris...
Palisander
4 Fine French Art Deco Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu (2 arm chairs available)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Four fine French Art Deco walnut dining chairs by Jules Leleu. These chairs, with their original Aubusson tapestry, are represented in "Mobilier et Decoration" 1950 - see picture. ...
Tapestry, Walnut
6 Fine French 1940s Mahogany Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) - Six fine French Art Deco brown mahogany dining side chairs with bronze sabots. Documented Price is per chair and does not include re-upholstery (one of the...
Mahogany
Set of 10 Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Chairs by Jules Leleu (8 Side and 2 Arm)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of ten fine French Art Deco dining chairs (eight side and two arm), in mahogany with bronze sabots. Designed by Jules Leleu for the Palais de l'Elysee in 1947 Documentation: ...
Walnut
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Walnut Chairs by Jules Leleu (10 Side and 2 Arm)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of twelve fine French 1940s dining chairs (ten side and two arm) with intertwining curved wooden backs and original off-white lacquer finish. Dimensions: Chairs: H: 37" W: 1...
Wood
SET OF 8 French Mid-Century / Art Deco Dining Chairs Signed by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
An Important SET of 8 French Art Deco / Midcentury Modern Dining Room Chairs signed by the French master designer and decorator, Jules Leleu. This rare set of chairs expresses the he...
Brass
$3,800 / item
4 Fine French Art Deco Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Four fine French Art Deco walnut bridge arm chairs by Jules Leleu. Original Aubusson tapestry, as shown in "Mobilier et Decoration" - see picture. P...
Tapestry, Walnut
Price Upon Request
Set of 10 Fine French Mid-Century Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 - 1961)- Rare set of 10 fine French Mid-Century dining chairs with a tubular lacquered metal frame and gilded brass feet. Signed
Metal, Brass
GRACE Urban dining chair, Available Now
Located in Frazão, Porto
GRACE URBAN Dining Chair: STOCK UNIT - Available for immediate delivery The sophisticated character of the GRACE Urban chair is given by the combination of the most distinct raw mat...
Stainless Steel
Six Painted Oak and Rush Dining Chairs, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Set of six unusual oak dining chairs, with a geometric patterned design carved on the wood, and a criss-cross motif on the backs, flanked on either side by rush detailing. The front ...
Rush, Oak
Set of Six Ocean Liner Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Set of six beechwood armchairs, "fauteuils de paquebot", with coiled armrest supports, reupholstered with dark green leather, standing on four slightly arch...
Leather, Beech
$18,000 / set
H 29 in W 30 in D 31 in
Art Deco Club Chairs by Jules Leleu, Blush Velvet, 1930s French Design
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant pair of French Art Deco club chairs attributed to Jules Leleu, circa 1930s, newly upholstered in blush‑pink velvet with piped edges over deep, comfortable loose cushions. The...
Velvet, Mahogany
$1,923 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 19.3 in
Set of Two Original Art Deco Armchairs, by Jules Leleu, Beech, France, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designer: Jules Leleu Source: France Period: 1930-1939 This exceptional pair of Art Deco armchairs dates back to the early 20th century and bears the signature of renowned French de...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Lacquer
Fine French Art Deco Walnut Armchair by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco walnut armchair with bronze sabots. Original Aubusson tapestry (in vintage condition).
Tapestry, Walnut
Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchair by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchair with bronze sabots.
Fabric, Mahogany
Jules Leleu Chair circa 1935 signed
By Jules Leleu
Located in CA, CA
This chair is an iconic design created by the legendary French Art Deco master Jules Leleu and fire stamped twice once J. Leleu and another Leleu Paris, A very stylish chair made of...
Beech
French Art Deco Ebonized Bench By Jules Leleu
By Jacques Adnet, Dominique, Jules Leleu, André Arbus, Maison Jansen
Located in Houston, TX
French Art Deco Ebonized Bench By Jules Leleu. This stunning French Art Deco ebonized bench or ottoman designed by Jules Leleu has beautifully curved legs and is professionally uphol...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of fine French Art Deco stained beech "bridge" armchairs by Jules Leleu.
Fabric, Beech
Fine French Art Deco Armchair by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco stained beech "bridge" armchair by Jules Leleu.
Fabric, Beech
$6,723 / set
H 37.01 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Swedish Gustavian Roseback Dining Chairs White Set of 8 1940s 2 Carvers
Located in Lewes, England
Rare Set of 6 Swedish Gustavian roseback dining chairs and 2 matching Roseback Carver Chairs in good condition in white with lovely carvings C 1940. Great for every day usage with ...
Birch
Jules Leleu, Pair of Armchairs, France, circa 1928
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
The house of Leleu rose to prominence in the 1920s during the Art Déco period, and became known for the ornate classicism of its richly refined furniture and lavish interiors. In the...
Mahogany
Jules Leleu, Set of Four Armchairs, France, circa 1928
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
The house of Leleu rose to prominence in the 1920s during the Art Déco period, and became known for the ornate classicism of its richly refined furniture and lavish interiors. In the...
Mahogany
Sold
H 36.63 in W 18.5 in D 17.75 in
Set of 8 Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) - A set of 8 fine French Art Deco mahogany dining chairs (6 side and 2 arm). Documented Armchair dimensions: H 35 5/8" W 22" D 35 3/4" A round extendable r...
Mahogany
Set of 6 Art Deco Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
An exceptional set of six mahogany dining chairs, comprising four side chairs and two armchairs. Each with a serpentine outlined back. The arms being out swept, all having upholstere...
Bronze
Set of Twelve French Art Deco Dining Chairs by 'Jules Leleu'
By Jules Leleu
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very rare set of twelve French Art Deco chairs in walnut signed, ‘Jules Leleu’. Sturdy and comfortable and with recent upholstery, circa 1930 These chairs are part of an origina...
Walnut
Set of 8 Fine French Art Deco Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 8 fine French Art Deco mahogany dining chairs (6 side and 2 arm) by Jules Leleu. Price includes refinishing. Documented: see pictures. Armchair dimensions: H 35 5/8" W 22" ...
Mahogany
Set of 12 Fine French Art Deco Walnut Dining Chairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of twelve fine French Art Deco walnut dining chairs by Jules Leleu. Stamped Leleu. A matching table is also available, see pictures. Dimensions of the extendable table are W...
Walnut
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H 40.5 in W 18.88 in D 22.5 in
Set of 10 Fine French Art Deco Walnut Chairs by Jules Leleu (8 Side and 2 Arm)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of ten fine French Art Deco dining chairs (eight side and two arm), in walnut with bronze sabots. Design by Jules Leleu for the Palais de l'Elysee in 1947 Documentation: Sim...
Walnut
Sold
H 33.5 in W 18.13 in D 22.82 in
Set of Nine French Art Deco Side and Two Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of nine fine French Art Deco walnut side chairs and two matching armchairs by Leleu. This set of chairs is part of an emblematic dini...
Set of Six 1950s Side and Two Arm Walnut Chairs by Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French 1950s walnut side and two armchairs by Jules Leleu with bronze sabots on the front legs. A set of six similar chairs (small differences) is available if you'...
Set of Six Fine French 1950s Dining Chairs by Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of six fine French, 1950s walnut dining chairs by Jules Leleu.
Jules Leleu, Set of Six Dining Chairs, France, C. 1957
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
A set of six mahogany dining chairs with bronze sabots by Jules Leleu Each numbered: 30046 For a sketch of this model, see Siriex, Françoise. The House of Leleu. New York: Huds...
Bronze