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.
Large Jules Leleu French Art Deco 5-Door Buffet
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Large Jules Leleu French Art Deco 5-Door Buffet or Sideboard A rare French Art Deco buffet by Jules Leleu with ebony inlaid marquetry and brass mounts, by Jules Leleu (1883-1961) . ...
Brass
French Art Deco Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Butterfly Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning French Art Deco credenza is designed by famous artisan Jules Leleu. It is comprised of mother-of-pearl inlay forming a butterfly motif with gold hardware, which accents the ...
Fine Art Deco Mahogany and Rosewood Sideboard Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare and elegant mahogany and rosewood Art Deco buffet by Jules Leleu inset with mother of pearl floral motifs and gilt-bronze mounts. Impressed mark and number to reverse 'C A' an...
Mahogany
Elegant Art Deco Period Inlaid Walnut Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Art Deco Period inlaid walnut buffet by Jules Leleu inset with gilded bronze hoof feet
Walnut
Two Shagreen Buffets
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
Melting buffet & Arianne buffet All R & Y Augousti pieces are handmade by artisans, ultimately making each piece unique. Custom color/sizing available on request. Wipe c...
Brass
French Art Deco Signed Jules Leleu Cabinet
By Jules Leleu
Located in North Bergen, NJ
This sunning French Art Deco cabinet is designed by famous artisan Jules Leleu. The cabinet reflects the craftsmanship and quality of the Art Deco period. The bronze trim is pictured...
Brass
Dudouyt - Spirit - Buffet - Oak - 1940 - French - Brutalist
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Evoking the structural elegance of French post-war functionalism A restrained yet monumental presence, this French sideboard from the 1940s embodies the aesthetic language of post-w...
Oak
$28,324
H 30.71 in W 47.25 in D 19.3 in
Art Deco Console by Jules Leleu, Mahogany & Amboyna, France, 1923
By Jules Leleu
Located in Roma, IT
An exceptional and early Art Deco console by Jules Leleu, dating from the early 1920s — a period marking the full emergence of Leleu’s mature decorative style. Presented at a time wh...
Mahogany, Amboyna
Light Oak Buffet, France, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing an alluring low sideboard, meticulously crafted from bleached oak and graced with plinth legs, embodying the distinct design essence of the 1950s. This sideboard harmonio...
Oak
Fine French Art Deco Rosewood and Mahogany Bar
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine French Art Deco rosewood marquetry and mahogany bar with a pull-out mirrored tablet and brass details.
Brass
Jules Leleu Attributed Art Deco French Sideboard
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Art Deco period sideboard attributed to Jules Leleu. Made of mahogany, it consists of four seperate pieces secured together with bolts. A central cabinet with a beveled frame has book matched cabinet doors decorated with an elaborately scrolled brass escutcheon. Inside are two hand dovetailed drawers above a single shelf. Serpentine cabinets on either side each house a serpentine curved shelf...
Brass
$11,800
H 38 in W 82.29 in D 17.72 in
A Composition of Stoic Geometry: French Art Deco Brutalist Sideboard, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt, Gaston Poisson
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A composition of stoic geometry, this French sideboard reveals a language of sculptural restraint and architectural rhythm. Executed in solid oak circa 1940, the piece commands prese...
Oak
Figural French Art Deco Buffet (Dominique)
By Travail Francais
Located in Bridgewater, CT
A walnut and marble buffet from circa 1930s, beautifully carved in relief with a colonial African scene. A Dominique design.
Marble
Fine Art Deco Desk Attributed to Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
A Modernist desk with patinated bronze pulls and details. The desk of striking hardwood veneers, features hallmarks of Art Deco design, including a slightly arc shaped form and high...
Hardwood
$75,000
H 36 in W 71 in D 19 in
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) Floral Mother of Pearl and Ebony Inlay Sideboard 1939
By Jules Leleu
Located in CA, CA
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) sideboard In Macassar ebony veneer, opening with two doors. Inlaid decoration of butterflies, flowers and foliage in mother-of-pearl and ebony. Curved upright...
Mother-of-Pearl
$9,500
H 37.41 in W 76.78 in D 20.87 in
Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Sideboard by Albert Guenot for "Atelier Pomone"
By Albert-Lucien Guenot
Located in Long Island City, NY
Albert-Lucien Guénot (1894-1993): A fine French Art Deco sideboard with 2 doors, 4 carved drawers, and patinated bronze legs and knobs. Edited by "Atelier Pomone" for "le Bon Marché...
Bronze
Sycamore Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
JULES LELEU (1883-1961) Sycamore veneer sideboard inlaid, with a quadrangular body opening with four solid doors adorned with wood and Pinctada maxima marquetry decor. Ovoid-shaped g...
Sycamore
Fine French Art Deco Rosewood sideboard by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 – 1961) A fine French 1930s four doors rosewood buffet with gilded bronze details. Interiors with shelves and drawers. Signed Overall depth with handles is 21"
Metal
Sold
H 37.8 in W 90.56 in D 22.05 in
French Art Deco Rosewood Sideboard Buffet Maison Jules Leleu, 1940's
By Jules Leleu
Located in Sofia, BG
This sideboard was made in France in the 1940s in the famous furniture house of Art Deco designer - Jules Leleu. The decorative elements on the doors are executed in the typical diam...
Rosewood
Elegant Art Deco Period Walnut Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Important Art Deco period walnut buffet by Jules Leleu inlaid with mother of pearl and various woods to form a floral motifs , fitted with gilt-bronze mounts. Bearing label: "Ce m...
Palisander
Sold
H 36.23 in W 95.28 in D 20.08 in
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Walnut Parquetry Buffet Sideboard Signed Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Benington, Herts
An exceptional three-door walnut and bronze French Art Deco buffet or sideboard designed and signed by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). French - Paris, circa 1940 Extremely well constr...
Walnut
Very Fine Mahogany Art Deco Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Very fine mahogany Art Deco buffet by Jules Leleu. Two fronts doors intricately decorated with marquetry fitted with fine cast gilded bronze ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 35.5 in W 55 in D 17.25 in
French Late Art Deco / Modern Neoclassical Sideboard / Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French late Art Deco / modern neoclassical sideboard / buffet by Jules Leleu, A 2-door cabinet composed in mahogany with the doors in a herringbone wood inlay and inset br...
Brass
Sold
H 33.27 in W 50.91 in D 17.45 in
Fine French Art Deco Palisander and Marquetry Buffet / Commode by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco Palisander and marquetry buffet / commode with bronze details. Signed.
Bronze
Jules Leleu Art Deco Cabinet, 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in Encino, CA
Jules Leleu, Amazing cabinet in rosewood veneer, France, circa 1930 Three doors and two drawers Nickel-plated bronze hardware, and handles in glass. Excellent condition, refinished. ...
Rosewood
Extremely Rare Art Deco Sideboard Buffet of Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Sofia, BG
Extremely rare and precious buffet sideboard of French top designer Jules Leleu Art Deco from 1940's, signed by himself. Roundings at the corners, metal edges all-over. Very fine mar...
Sycamore
Sold
H 33.5 in W 56.25 in D 17.75 in
Fine French Art Deco Sycamore and Marquetry Buffet / Commode by Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fine French Art Deco sycamore and marquetry buffet / commode by Leleu. Signed and documented page 55 of the book: Leleu, decorateurs ensembliers by Francoise Siriex. Editions Monelle...
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Buffet/Sideboard
By Jules Leleu
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful Jules Leleu French Art Deco buffet/sideboard with diamond patterned rosewood, walnut supports, satinwood and mother-of-pearl inlay, giltwood edging and raised on bronze s...
Ormolu, Bronze