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.
Mid-Century Modern Sofa in Smoked Pewter Velvet & Ebonized Walnut by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This elegant Mid Century Modern sofa was realized by the legendary Jules Leleu in France circa 1960. It offers the clean silhouette, attention to detail and timeless (yet perennially...
Velvet, Walnut
$3,791Sale Price / set|20% Off
Jules Leleu Vintage Chairs in Wood and Green Leather
By Jules Leleu
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful set consisting of four wooden chairs designed in the 1930s by Jules Leleu, French manufacture. The chairs have very eccentric shapes, both hard geometric and soft and comfo...
Leather, Wood
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
Mid-Century Modern Petite Sofa or Loveseat Attributed to Overman
By Overman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural looking sofa from the 1970s. It features original upholstery and chrome-plated steel legs.
Steel
Florence Knoll 2-Seater Sofa, Classic Mid Century Modern, Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Florence Knoll 2 seater 'lounge series' sofa with original 2nd generation upholstery in a coarse woven off-white mottled wool fabric. This sofa d...
Chrome
$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
$1,540 / set
H 40.56 in W 18.51 in D 20.87 in
Pair of Original Art Deco Chairs, by Jules Leleu, Beech, France, 1920s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Designed by Jules Leleu, a French designer at the top of French 20th Century decoration who distinguished himself during the Art Deco style's renaissance. This item features classic...
Fabric, Wood, Leather, Beech, Lacquer
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 34 in W 68 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Bovenkamp Style Sofa in Ruby Red Velvet with Organic Dark Wood Arms
By Bovenkamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century, three-seater sofa with organic carved dark wood arm rests and legs in a characteristic of the post-war style esthetic, reminiscent of the output of Dutch furniture...
Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
Mid-century Modern Italian Curved Small Sofa 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved sofa from the 1950s, Italian production. Original upholstery of the time, we recommend replacing the fabric.
Velvet, Beech
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Sofa in the Manner of Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-Century Modern chrome sofa in the manner of Harvey Probber, circa 1960s. Our team of expert craftsmen professionally reupholstered the sofa in a beautiful Olympic blue color. It ...
Chrome
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Gigi Radice, Minotti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and blue velvet upholstery and black lacquered metal legs. The upholstery has been redone.
Metal
$12,000 / 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
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) - A Pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchairs with bronze sabots. Bibliography: Françoise Siriex. Leleu Decorateur ensembliers: Editions Monelle...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Modern Two Cushion Sofa in Dark Blue Velvet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Our modern two cushion sofa is upholstered in a dark blue velvet with an infinity cotton feel and features a light blue polyester trim. This sofa is h...
Velvet, Polyester, Poplar, Walnut