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, Sofa, Mahogany, Brass, Fabric, France, 1960s
By Jules Leleu
Located in High Point, NC
A mahogany, brass and bouclé fabric sofa or settee designed and produced by Jules Leleu, France, 1960s. Literature: Sirex, The House of Leleu, 2008, p. 327. Seat Height (inches): 1...
Brass
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, 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
$4,038
H 35.04 in W 78.75 in D 30.32 in
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, Hardwood Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery
By Kaare Klint, Rud Rasmussen
Located in London, GB
1940s Kaare Klint Three Seater Sofa, with Mahogany Legs & Striped Wool Upholstery with Leather Trim. Usable condition. Bespoke quote ca...
Leather, Wool, Hardwood
$3,716
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
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
$4,103Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 76.38 in D 32.29 in
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
Italian Curved Three-Seat Sofa in Light Green Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric and wood, Italy, 1950s. Simplistic Italian sofa with clean lines and a high back. The sofa features small tapered wooden legs. The high back embraces the sitter in com...
Fabric, Wood
Unavailable|$1,913 / 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
$11,015 / set
H 29.53 in W 67.72 in D 28.35 in
Italian Bamboo Sofa and Stool with French Bouclé Fabric Early 1960s
Located in Paris, IDF
This beautiful bamboo sofa and stool from the Mid-Century Modern French Riviera era are bursting with nostalgia. The soothing design and naturalistic materials will promote tranquill...
Wool, Bamboo
Two-Seat Sofa, Denmark, 1950, New Upholstery Bouclé Fabric
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful two-seat curved sofa manufactured in the 1950s. Lovely shape and curves. Very comfortable seat with two feather cushions covered of blue Kvadrat velvet. Perfect condition,...
Fabric, Wool, Bouclé, Upholstery, Velvet, Beech
Chic Large French 1950s Sofa by Maison Leleu
By Maison Leleu
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic large French 1950s sofa by Maison Leleu, Paris.
Upholstery, Oak
$7,663 / 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
Jules Leleu, Art Deco Armchair, France, circa 1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
With rounded and scrolled detail on the armrest, this Jules Leleu Art Deco armchair is the picture of elegance and comfort. Bibliography: For an illustration of a similar model, se...
Velvet, Oak
Art Deco Three-seater club sofa - France, 1930s
Located in London, GB
A sloping back, generous cushioning and curved armrests define this French 1930s Art Deco sofa. Newly reupholstered in a plush long-pile alpaca ...
Mohair
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