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.
Fine French Art Deco Palisander Game Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
With a removable and reversible top, one side featuring a marquetry chess / checker board, and the other covered in felt (felt to be replaced), two drawers, and fine bronze details. ...
Bronze
Elegant French Art Deco Macassar Game Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant French game table in Macassar and ebony wood with an inset chest board. with gilded brass feet signed "Leleu" Literature: Sirex, The House of Leleu, 2008, p. 225.
Macassar
Walnut Art Deco Period Game Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Walnut game table by Jules Leleu, with an inset chest board ebony wood and mother of pearl. The reverse side is made in tooled black and silver leather resting on gilded brass feet s...
Walnut
French Art Deco Table By Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu, Paul Follot, Maison Dominique, Jean Dunand, Eugene Printz
Located in Houston, TX
French Art Deco Table By Jules Leleu. Offered is a gorgeous 1930's era French Art Deco sycamore table trimmed in stunning bronze accents and sabots and topped with a beautiful gold e...
Bronze
Elegant French Art Deco Table, Macassar, 1940s
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jules Leleu
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Dining table, Macassar, France, 1940s. Majestic centre table in Macassar. This Art Deco table shows great craftsmanship. The base and legs are beautifully detailed. This table has...
Brass
French Art Deco Period Jules Leleu Manner Burlwood Work Table
By Jules Leleu
Located in Forney, TX
A visually striking Art Deco period inlaid burlwood travailleuse / work table, in the manner of iconic French designer Jules Leleu (Paris, France, 1883-1961) France, circa 1930s, ex...
Brass
Jules Leleu Pair of French Art Deco Side Tables
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
A pair of French Art Deco side tables, circa 1930s signed LELEU, in rosewood with mother of pearl inlaid.
Rosewood
Fine French Art Deco Extendable Round Dining Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco sunburst top dining / center table in palissander with a 4 legs pedestal base and bronze details. 2 original raw wood center leaves, length with ...
Bronze
Elegant Art Deco Game Table, circa 1930
By Léon Jallot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant French Art Deco game, in the style of Leon Jallot. Legs fitted with brass sabots. Removable top. Restored.
Brass
Art Deco Burl Wood Side Table by Jules Leleu, 1930s France
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Art deco style burl wood table attributed to French designer, Jules Leleu. Round top supported by curved, tripod legs meeting at a central base. Circa 1930's France.
Burl
$18,000
H 28.35 in W 74.41 in D 39.38 in
Fine French Art Deco Dining Table by Jules Leleu ( 8 dining chairs available)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco extendable dining table, in walnut with a 4 legs pedestal base and bronze details. Signed Length with the 2 matching end leaves is 107 3/4" 8 original dining...
Walnut
Fine Art Deco Coffee Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jules Leleu (1883-1961). A modernist French Art Deco mirrored table, created circa 1936. In sycamore, with gilt bronze accents. Signed and referenced in "Mobilier et Decorati...
Brass
Fine French Art Deco Game / Occasional Table by Rinck
By Maurice Rinck
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rinck - established in 1841 and directed by Maurice Rinck in the Art Deco / mid-century period. A fine game / tea table in elm with a reversible top (wood on one side and felt on the other) with four tapered legs and chrome cup...
Chrome
French Art Deco Dining Table by Jules Leleu, c.1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
A striking French Art Deco dining table crafted in rich rosewood, attributed to the renowned designer Jules Leleu. The table showcases his signature balance of sculptural elegance an...
Rosewood
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Bedside Nightstand
By Jules Leleu
Located in Forney, TX
A rare French Art Deco sycamore inlaid nightstand or end table attributed to Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Handcrafted in France in the mid 20th century, having a shaped front rectangular...
Sycamore
Art Deco Game Table Set by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
A game or card table in sycamore dark stained wood veneer upon a solid mahogany frame designed by Leleu, with four bridge chairs. Made in France, circa 1935 Signature: Leleu plaqu...
Fruitwood
Art Deco Game Table Set by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
A game or card table in sycamore dark stained wood veneer upon a solid mahogany frame designed by Leleu, with four bridge chairs. Made in France, circa 1935 Signature: Leleu plaqu...
Fruitwood