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 (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
Fine Art Deco Sideboard by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jules Leleu (1883-1961). An important rosewood cabinet, decorated with a spray of inlay mother-of-pearl flowers and butterflies, legs with gilded bronze sabots. With the original ...
Bronze
Fine French Art Deco Bar by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 - 1961) : A fine French Art Deco bar cabinet with palisander and metal marquetry, and brass mounted details. Interiors in sycamore, mirror and chrome. Inlaid plaque...
Brass, Chrome
Jules Leleu, Pair of Tall Art Deco Cabinets, France, C. 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
These cabinets share striking details, such as hardware and finish, with a series of pieces specially created by Maison Leleu for the steamship L'Atlantique. These stunning pieces we...
Bronze
$20,000Sale Price|33% Off
French parquetry Cabinet Armoire by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cabinet with parquetry design by Jules Leleu Paris, Model no. 4178. Designed in 1951 and this example is dated to 1953. Functioning as an Armoire for wardrobe, the cabinet fe...
Bronze
Jules Leleu, Large Lacquered Walnut Cabinet, France, 1933
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Unique and important Art Deco four-door cabinet in walnut with lacquered doors and nickel-plated details. Lacquer work by Katsu Hamanaka (1895-1982)....
Walnut, Lacquer
Jules Leleu Art Deco cabinet in amboyna with inlaid medallion
By Jules Leleu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic French Art Deco cabinet (documented), by Jules Leleu (signed), in amboyna with inlaid medallion and original Breche marble top. Completely and correctly restored and refinish...
Breccia Marble
Jules Leleu, Art Deco Walnut Cabinet, France, C. 1944
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Fine walnut four-door cabinet by Jules Leleu with bronze medallion by Champreix For an illustration of an identical cabinet, see Mobilier et Décoration, no. 5. December 1946. F...
Bronze
Large Two-Door Commode by Jules Leleu, France, 1939
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Macassar ebony two-door commode with mother of pearl and ebony inlay by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Marquetry by Messager. This cabinet was exhibited in the museum show "Leleu 50 ans de mobilier et de décoration, 1920-1970" held in 2007 and 2008 at the Musée des Années 30, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France and at La Piscine - Musée Art et Industrie...
Macassar, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Jules Leleu Cabinet, France, 1956
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Vitrine by Jules Leleu in mahogany marquetry with glass sliding doors and gilt bronze legs Bears its original label dated Nov 9th 1956, and is numbered on the back: 28332 Prove...
Bronze
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Cherry Marquetry Vitrine
By Jules Leleu
Located in Baambrugge, NL
French Art Deco Cherry vitrine by Jules Leleu (1883-1961) from the 1930s and features a top compartment with two sliding glass doors and a glass shelf. A lower compartment has two wo...
Bronze
Mahogany Marquetry Side Table by Jules Leleu, Inlaid with Brass and Pewter.
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Marquetry side table by Jules Leleu, inlaid with brass and pewter. Signed: Jules Leleu. (Also available a matching pair of simple beds).
Mahogany
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
Jules Leleu mahogany cabinet nickeled metal 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in Paris, IDF
This very fine Art Deco cabinet was created in the 1930s by Jules Leleu, with flamed mahogany veneer and a nickeled metal base, and bears the workshop stamp. The piece perfectly illu...
Metal
$24,000
Jules Leleu Sycamore Cabinet
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional sycamore cabinet has shelves on both sides. The center section has two drawers and one section of shelves and original glass handles. It is signed on the inside of the door. Referenced in the newest Leleu book.
Sycamore
Jules Leleu, Vanity Cabinet, France, 1948
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Rare palissander drop front vanity cabinet by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). The drop front opens to reveal an illuminated mirror in three sections Bibliog...
Brass, Bronze
1930s French Art Decò Sideboard Buffet Dry Bar by Jules Leleu, in Walnut Briar
By Jules Leleu
Located in Vigonza, Padua
This beautiful sideboard designed and executed by J&M Leleu, Paris (Jules and Marcel Leleu atelier), all in precious walnut briar , is a piece of furniture that alone embellishes...
Walnut
Maison Leleu, Mid-century Two-door Walnut Cabinet, France, C. 1960
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Walnut cabinet with sliding doors, removable shelves and metal legs by Maison Leleu. Signed: Leleu Paris. The house of Leleu rose to prominence in the 1920s during the Art Déco per...
Metal
Jules Leleu Art Deco cabinet in amboyna with mahogany interior
By Jules Leleu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic French Art Deco cabinet by Jules Leleu (signed), circa 1925, in amboyna with interior fittings in mahogany, and with original Breche marble top. Completely and correctly rest...
Breccia Marble
$3,575
H 104 in W 104.5 in D 35 in
Late 19th-Early 20th C. Large Scale Walnut French Dressing Cabinet With Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An incredible ensemble acting as its own complete sitting room. A large scale carved walnut cabinet in the Louis XV style with double beveled mirrored doors for the deep side compart...
Brass
$6,475
H 76.78 in W 70.08 in D 17.33 in
Cocobolo cabinet, restored to high gloss made in France by Jules Leleu, Art Deco
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
20th century Art Deco display cabinet. Completely restored to the high gloss. Material: Palisandr Cocobolo. We guarantee safe a the cheapest air transport from Europe to the whole w...
Wood, Palisander, Cocobolo
French Limed Oak Armoire
Located in Antwerp, BE
Limed oak two door armoire. Height 210 cm. Width 127 cm. Depth 64 cm.
Glass, Wood, Oak
$4,500
H 81 in W 35 in D 17 in
Antique French Louis XV Style Armoire Cupboard Linen Cabinet Bonnetiere Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Louis XV Oak Armoire, Wardrobe, Bonnetiere, Cupboard or Cabinet ~~c. 1900 Perfect statement piece that can accommodate any number of storage needs...
Oak
$4,096Sale Price|20% Off
H 51.19 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Art Deco Bar Cabinet, Lemonwood, French Geometric Design
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind Art Deco bar cabinet made in France around 1940. It displays exquisite craftsmanship in both design and materials. The simple design is influenced by the polygonal for...
Wood, Fruitwood, Rosewood
Tall Art Deco cabinet – France 1930
Located in Girona, Girona
Tall Art Deco cabinet in solid mahogany and burr mahogany with 4 doors opening to 2 storage compartments, patinated nickel-plated metal handles. French polish. France circa 1930.
Metal, Nickel
$1,600Sale Price|36% Off
H 92 in W 46 in D 19.5 in
French Neoclassical Style Tall Mirrored Cabinet/Armoire
Located in Southampton, NY
French neoclassical style tall mirrored cabinet/armoire Beautiful reproduction, originally with legs, legs were cut off. Selling as is. Parcel-...
Mahogany
$3,700
H 73 in W 32.5 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Breton Armoire Wardrobe Linen Cabinet Double Doors Drawer c. 1900
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Oak Breton Double Door Armoire Bonnetiere, Linen Cabinet, Bookcase with Drawer~~c. 1900 Highly requested classic French Breton design~~Bre...
Oak
$3,200
H 67 in W 29.75 in D 18 in
Antique French Breton Armoire Wardrobe Linen Cabinet Drawer Carved Chestnut 19th
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautifully Carved Antique French Chestnut Breton Armoire with Drawer~~c. 1890s Highly requested classic French Breton design~~Breton (sometimes known as Brittany) furnitur...
Chestnut
French Art Deco Credenza After Jules Leleu
By Dominique, Jacques Adnet, André Arbus, Jules Leleu, Andre Sornay
Located in Houston, TX
French Art Deco Credenza After Jules Leleu. This lovely French Art Deco credenza has a beautifully decorated geometric pattern to it with three doors, three drawers with shelves. Our French Deco credenza...
Sycamore
Art deco cabinet, 1930, French
Located in Nice, FR
Art Deco period cabinet in rosewood and mahogany veneer, Marquetry work on all the facades. French furniture 1930 Furniture that can adapt to all interiors. This piece of furniture i...
Palisander
French Art Deco Six-Door Buffet in the Style of Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Gorgeous French Art Deco six-door buffet in the style of Jules Leleu. With beautiful Rosewood and mother-of-pearl inlay along with stunning marquetry. The middle doors open to reveal...
Mahogany
An Important 1940s Signed Cabinet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in CA, CA
This important 1940s cabinet by Jules Leleu shows him at the very height of his artistry and skill in constructing the most exceptional furniture of the period. The finely balanced f...
Satinwood
Art Deco Secretaire Abattant by Jules Leleu Signed, Circa 1935
By Jules Leleu
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco Rosewood marquetry secreraire cabinet by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Stepped top over a parquetry and marquetry inlaid drop-front secretaire cabinet, with ebony and mother o...
Rosewood
Sold
H 55.12 in W 60.63 in D 18.51 in
Nice Sycamore Marquetry Cabinet with Bronze Feet by Jules Leleu, France, 1956
By Jules Leleu
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant sycamore marquetry two doors cabinet with double columns gilt bronze feet. The interior with six adjustable shelves.Stamped on the back wit...
Bronze
Rare Inlaid Cabinet Signed J. Leleu, France, Circa 1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare wood veneered cabinet opening in front with three doors each revealing two removable shelves. The doors are adorned with a luxuriant marquetry of wood and mother-of-pearl flower...
Brass
Art Deco Inlay Cabinet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
A 2-door Art Deco cabinet made from Rosewood with Bronze details along the sides. Each door is made with a marquetry veneer and mother of pearl and ebony inlays depicting different ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony, Rosewood
Sold
H 51 in W 30 in D 17.5 in
French Mid Century Ebony Bar by Art Deco Furniture Designer Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
An exquisite mid century bar by famed French Art Deco furniture designer, Jules Leleu (1883-1961), in fine Maccasar ebony with marquetry i...
Abalone, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony, Sycamore
Pair of Art Deco Bedside Chests by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A serpentine shaped sides and front pair of two drawer chests with saber legs covered in sycamore parqutry veneer and having peach mirror tops designed and produced in Paris by Jules...
Sycamore
Walnut Parquetry Sideboard by Jules Leleu, c1950
By Jules Leleu
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Walnut parquetry sideboard by Jules Leleu c1950 An exceptional quality four door sideboard designed and produced by Jules Leleu in the early 1950s in Paris France, the sideboard is ...
Walnut
French Art Deco Signed Jules Leleu Macassar Cabinet
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Rare and magnificent Art Deco Macassal inlaid cabinet. Front part inlaid with végétal design. Slightly curved front doors. Signed piece by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Very excepti...
Macassar
Elegant Art Deco Sycamore Marquetry Cabinet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Art Deco period sycamore marquetry cabinet by Jules Leleu. Fitted with gilt bronze locks and resting on patinated steel and gilt bronze fee...
Sycamore
Art Deco Cabinet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare and elegant mahogany Art Deco cabinet with fine gilt bronze mounts by Jules Leleu. Signed Leleu and numbered.
Art Deco Rosewood Marquetry Cocktail Cabinet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
An Art Deco rosewood marquetry cocktail cabinet by Jules Leleu, (1883-1961). Stepped top over a parquetry and marquetry in...
Bronze