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
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
$3,742
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
$37,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.2 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Modern "Cubo" Sofa by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This recently upholstered cubo (Cube) sofa was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in the 1970s. The elegance, a feature of Zalszupin designs, on this piece does not come from ...
Velvet, Wood
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
$10,940Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.47 in W 90.56 in D 39.38 in
Vintage Sofa in Light Blue and Purple Velvet by Isa Bergamo
By ISA Bergamo
Located in Milano, IT
Wonderful vintage light blue velvet sofa made in Italy by Isa Bergamo from the 1950s. The sofa is made entirely of light blue velvet and takes...
Brass
$1,538Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 31.5 in
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
$2,564Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.26 in W 70.87 in D 70.87 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Damask Velvet Corner Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Original Italian corner sofa from the 1950s, the upholstery is from the time, in damask velvet, in good condition but the intervention of the upholsterer is recommended.
Velvet, Beech
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
Vintage 1961 Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler, Chicago
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A rare and fully documented example of early 1960s American modernism, this Kroehler sofa carries an extraordinary provenance detail: the original purcha...
Upholstery
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
$3,800Sale Price|30% Off
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
$9,572Sale Price|30% Off
H 38.59 in W 86.62 in D 38.59 in
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
Italian Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, wood, Italy, 1930s An asymmetrical Art Deco sofa conceived as a single architectural volume, with a low upholstered bench flanked by built-in ...
Wood
$39,000
H 32.75 in W 57.5 in D 34 in
Art Deco Salon Set by Jules Leleu, Mahogany, Four-Piece Suite, 1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Art Deco Salon Set by Jules Leleu, France, circa 1940. Elegant four-piece seating suite in richly finished mahogany, comprising a curved-back sofa and three generous bridge chairs, n...
Mahogany
$7,491 / set
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
1930s Art Deco Pozzetto Pair Armchairs, Jules Leleu style , Walnut, Leather seat
By Jules Leleu
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1930s Italian club lounge chairs, armchairs, Art Deco, restored, new red leather bordeaux upholstery, walnut wax polished Jules Leleu style. These classic red armchairs feature a ...
Leather, Walnut
Italian Art Deco Sofa with Side Cabinet, 1930s
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Art Deco Sofa with Integrated Cabinet, wood, Italy, 1930s An Art Deco sofa built as a single asymmetrical volume, where a long low upholstered bench resolves at one end into an inte...
Wood
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
Jules Leleu three seater sofa mohair velvet 1940s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful sofa designed by Jules Leleu around 1945 embodies the smooth lines of the art deco living room sets that came on the market in the early 1930s. The smooth and round lines are a thing of beauty, finished with curved oak feet, one of Jules Leleu clubs signature. This sofa has been fully restored and reupholstered using an offwhite thick mohair velvet from Elitis, which is exceptionally soft to the touch, and 100% mohair, that enhances the sofa’s beautiful shape. Impart a luxe, homey and elegance feel to a contemporary living room with this incredible sofa. Photos of the restoration process and documentation are available upon request. The matching pair of club armchairs is also available. Literature: Mobilier et Décoration août-septembre-octobre 1945, Edition Edmond Honoré / Mobilier et Décoration year book...
Velvet
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
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 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
5 Piece Aubusson Upholstered Seating Set By Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
JULES LELEU (1883-1961)
Five –piece set comprising sofa, two club chairs and two armchairs, made of oak wood, with gilt-bronze sabots and upholstered with Aubusson tapestry.<...
Bronze