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, Art Deco Sofa with Rounded Back, French, 1930s
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
A lush, upholstered sofa with rounded arms, back, and feet. These last, executed in French polished beech, serve as a charming, subtle accent. A 1930s de...
Upholstery, Beech
Art Deco Salon Set by Jules Leleu (3 pieces)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco 3-piece salon set by Jules Leleu made out of mahogany. The set is composed by a sofa and 2 bridge chairs. Made in France Circa: 1945 Sofa: 57.50"W x 34"D x 32.75"High Bridg...
Mahogany
$1,929 / set
H 33.08 in W 24.02 in D 25.2 in
Set of Two Restored 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 It has been re-polished with polyutherane piano lacquer by our professional refurbishing team in Czechia according to the orig...
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Beech, Lacquer
Fine Custom Upholstered High-Back Sofa with Triple X-form Stretcher
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom upholstered settee with sloping and flared arms, the back and arms raised above the seat (see photo 9). With a fabric covered apron, button tufted shallow seat cushion, uphols...
Wood
$3,712
H 28.94 in W 69.69 in D 38.39 in
ViNTAGE HAND DYED BROWN LEATHER ART DECO THREE SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Art Deco style reddish brown leather sofa with overstuffed feather ...
Leather
Sofa Three-Seat by Jules Leleu, France 1940's - New Upholstery
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brussels, BE
Sofa three-seat by Jules Leleu, France 1940s, new upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood
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
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Velvet Sofa, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A large Italian sculptural sofa designed by Guglielmo Ulrich, very comfortable. Recently upholstered in light blue velvet with a light gray velvet border, in a minimalist way, which ...
Velvet, Beech
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
1930s Restored Art Deco Sofa, Czechoslovakia
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carrefully refurbished - Newly upholstered- walnut finish - can be used with or without pillows - Seat height with pillows is 48cm
Fabric, Wood
$1,929 / 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
$10,289 / set
H 48.43 in W 59.85 in D 25.6 in
Theatrical "Egyptian" Living-Room Set, France, circa 1940s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and extravagant living-room set comprised of a settee, two armchairs and a table, of Egyptian inspiration. Polychrome decor. The seating pieces are raised on paw feet (front)...
$5,571
H 27.56 in W 60.63 in D 27.96 in
Danish 1930s Banana Form Curved Sofa or Loveseat in 'Nude' and Dark Grey Velvet
Located in Kastrup, DK
Banana sofa with curved backrest, Danish design 1930-1940. Reupholstered in two shades of cotton blend velvet from Baker Home in 'Nude' and dark gr...
Velvet
$701
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
Jules Leleu French Art Deco settee
By Jules Leleu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco settee/sofa by Jules Leleu, circa 1936. Leleu was honored to furnish the French Salon at the League of Nations in Geneva (1936/7...
Wood
Jules Leleu, Large Curved Back Sofa, France
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
An unusual, large curved back sofa by Jules Leleu in cream upholstery and six sturdy wooden legs.
Upholstery, Wood
Fine Art Deco Sofa by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco sofa by Jules Leleu with mahogany feet Provenance: This sofa, along with its matching pair of armchairs were purchased directly from M...
Mahogany
Jules Leleu, Mahogany Settee, France, C. 1958
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Blond mahogany settee with gilt bronze settee by Jules Leleu Numbered: 29820 See house of Leleu by Françoise Siriex, Hudson Hills Press, New York, 2007, p 366 for a similar sofa.
Bronze
Fine Three-seat Settee by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Fine three-seat settee in walnut by Jules Leleu
Walnut, Upholstery