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.
French Art Deco Rosewood + Leather Desk by Jules Leleu, 1940s
By Jules Leleu
Located in Chicago, IL
Jules-Emile Leleu wasn’t simply a furniture maker — he was one of the architects of French Art Deco refinement. Born just outside Paris in 1883, Leleu came from a family of decorati...
Rosewood
Jules Leleu- A French 1950s 3 Drawer Walnut Writing Table with Brass Details
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu - A fine French Mid-Century three drawer walnut desk with brass details. A similar desk is shown page 137 of the book "Jules et Andre Leleu" by Vivianne Jutheau - Edited...
Brass
Elegant Art Deco Mahogany and Gilt Bronze Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Art Deco mahogany and gilt bronze executive desk by Jules Leleu. Inset with leather top and signed in one of the drawers.
Mahogany
$3,982
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Hardwood
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 52 in W 59 in D 29 in
French Louis XVI Style Roll Top Desk in Mahogany and Gilt Bronze
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An imposing Louis XVI style roll top desk in beautifully figured mahogany and having finely chased and gilded bronze mounts; the green marble top with a bronze gallery above three lo...
Marble, Bronze
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
$37,500
H 29.63 in W 77 in D 35 in
Jules Leleu Double Pedestal Mahogany Art Deco Desk with Gilt Bronze Details
By Jules Leleu
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) double-fronted mahogany and brass desk, circa 1935. Having two set of four pedestal drawers and a single frieze drawer, accented in gilt bronze. Inset with p...
Bronze
$27,851
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
1940s Petite French Art Deco Oak Office Desk
Located in Astoria, NY
Petite French oak office desk, circa 1930s–40s. Carefully restored for structural integrity while retaining its authentic aged patina and natural surface movement. The compact form f...
Oak
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Fruitwood
French Large Art Deco Table Oak, Dudouyt, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco dining table. The table features stunning oak sanded wood grain with a stunning patina. The top is encrusted with a marquetry of diamonds. It rests on tall and Brutal...
Oak
$1,881Sale Price|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk - C. 1870
Located in Wisbech, England
Presenting an exquisite Victorian Burr and Figured Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk dating back to approximately 1870. This charming piece exudes age and character, making it a ra...
Walnut
English Walnut Burl Three-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Created for us by an English cabinetmaker with whom we have been associated for over 30 years, this walnut writing desk has Classic lines that would blend well in a modern setting. I...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
English Walnut Burl Two-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-drawer walnut writing desk is made for us by our English cabinetmaker. Using time-honored techniques, this table is created in just the same fashion as it would have been 20...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
1940s French Oak Desk attribute to Rene Drouet
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful French 1940s desk in oak with pull out extendable side leaves and double sided lockable centre drawer, supported on top and tailed U-shaped legs, finished with brushed ni...
Oak
Jules Leleu Double Pedestal Desk in French Walnut 1940s 'Signed'
By Jules Leleu
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Art Deco double pedestal desk in French walnut with curved center drawer and bookcase inset into back by Jules Leleu, France 1940's (signed “J...
Walnut
Art Deco Writing Table/ Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Fruitwood Art Deco writing table / desk by Jules Leleu with three drawers and original gilt bronze pulls. Signed on Ure-formol plaque "JLeleu" ...
Ormolu