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.
Jules Leleu deckchair bed designed by Jean Prouvé for the Plateau d'Assy
By Jules Leleu, Jean Prouvé
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Superb deckchair daybed by Jules Leleu manufactured by Jean Prouvé for the Plateau d'Assy sanatorium in 1934. Red lacquered steel mesh frame (original paint), solid oak armrests and ...
Metal
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
4 Fine French Art Deco Walnut Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Four fine French Art Deco walnut bridge armchairs by Jules Leleu with bronze sabots. Documented. Price is per chair.
Walnut
$14,000 / item
Jules Leleu, Art Deco Walnut Armchair, France, C. 1948
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This remarkable pair of late Deco armchairs possess many of the beautiful aesthetic trappings of Jules Leleu's most famous 40s designs. ***Upholstery has changed*** Stamped: Leleu P...
Walnut, Upholstery
French Deco Armchair in Cuban Mahogany by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Minneapolis, MN
French Art Deco armchair in Cuban mahogany designed by Jules Leleu. Frame is in very good vintage condition, clear lacquer finish shows some signs of use but is in acceptable and use...
Mahogany
Set of Four French Art Deco Armchairs after Jules Leleu
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Extraordinary set of four French art deco chairs crafted from radiant mahogany after Jules Leleu. The chairs feature a large flared back with a contoured rest that is upholstered wit...
Brass
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
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
$3,150Sale Price|25% Off
H 33 in W 26.75 in D 35 in
'Cité' Leather and Steel Lounge Chair by Jean Prouvé for Vitra, Signed
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by the iconic French engineer and designer Jean Prouvé, the Cité Lounge Chair is an example of his innovative approach to form and function. Originally created for the stude...
Metal
Jules Leleu armchair, circa 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jules Leleu armchair, circa 1930
Fabric, Wood
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
Rare Art Deco Chairs, France, 1920s
By Paul Follot, Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of Art Deco chairs, France, 1920s. The chairs are currently undergoing restoration and the original fabric can be conserved or the chairs can be reupholstered in COM. P...
Fabric, Wood
$1,984 / 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
$721
H 31.89 in W 23.63 in D 18.51 in
Restored Art Deco Armchair, by Jules Leleu, Beech, Revived Polish, France, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
This elegant Art Deco armchair originates from France from the 1930s and is attributed to the influential designer Jules Leleu. It embodies the French sophistication and charm of the...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood, Beech, Lacquer
$17,500 / set
H 36.62 in W 22.05 in D 22.84 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchairs by Jules Leleu. Price includes re-upholstery with customer's own material.
Mahogany
$6,800
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Prouvé Raw Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé and G Star Raw for Vitra
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra, G-Star RAW
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Limited edition Tabouret 307, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Reissued for the Vitra x G Star Raw collaboration in 2011. Produced in limited quantities, th...
Metal
French Art Deco Ebonized Bench By Jules Leleu
By Dominique, Jacques Adnet, André Arbus, Maison Jansen, Jules Leleu
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
Sold
H 31.5 in W 22.84 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Cherry Armchairs by Jules Leleu - on hold -
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of fine French Art Deco cherry wood armchairs by Jules Leleu.
Cherry
Pair of Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany armchairs with bronze sabots on front legs.
Bronze
Lounge Chairs, Pair by Jules Leleu and Jean Prouvé
By Jules Leleu, Jean Prouvé
Located in North Miami, FL
As featured in Elle Decor, April 2015 issue Magnificent red lacquered lounge chairs, France; folded and enameled metal; Provenance: Martel de Janville Sanatorium in Plateau d'Assy...
Metal
Jules Leleu, Rare Pair of 1945 Club Chairs
By Jules Leleu
Located in Encino, CA
Rare pair of club chairs, Jules Leleu, France, circa 1945. Beautiful club chairs reupholstered in fine "Cognac" linen. Legs in solid mahogany. Fully repaired and refinished, excep...
Linen, Mahogany
Important Chairs by Jules Leleu and Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé, Jules Leleu
Located in North Miami, FL
As featured in ELLE DECOR April 2015 issue Magnificent original red lacquered lounge chairs, France, 1936; Folded and enameled metal; Provenance: Martel de Janville Sanatorium in ...
Metal
Mahogany Armchair by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Albany, NY
classical style single mahogany armchair with bronze sabots
Mahogany
Jules Leleu, Rare Pair of 1945 Leather Club Chairs
By Jules Leleu
Located in Encino, CA
Rare pair of club chairs, Jules Leleu, France circa 1945 Beautiful club chairs reupholstered in fine "camel" leather. Legs in solid mahogany Fully repaired and refinished Numbere...
Leather, Mahogany
Fine Pair of Armchairs by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of mahogany arm chairs with gilt-bronze sabots by Jules Leleu (1883-1961) Numbered: 30027 & 30028 Stamped: "J. Leleu" and ...
Bronze
Pair of Jules Leleu Armchairs
By Jules Leleu
Located in Albany, NY
A rare neoclassical pair of Jules Leleu armchairs in French walnut.
Fine Pair of Armchairs by Maison Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Fine pair of armchairs by Leleu with mahogany legs and gilt-bronze sabots. Numbered 34795, 34796 Provenance: Commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Bendell for their Paris apartment ...
Bronze
Single Walnut Armchair by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Single walnut Armchair by Jules Leleu (1883 -1961).
Stamped: Leleu Paris, Made in France & numbered: 27393
Bibliography:
An identical Pair shown at the ...
Walnut