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.
Set of 10 Jules Leleu French Modern Fruitwood & Tapestry Dining Chairs
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 10 Mid-Century French Modern Fruitwood Dining Chairs with original floral tapestry upholstered seat and back with 6-sided front legs with brass sabot feet (4 armchairs, 6 side...
Brass
$5,780Sale Price|20% Off
H 80.32 in W 60.24 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Verdure Scenic Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful pictorial antique French tapestry created after William Morris, inspired by the famous mille fleurs tapestries of Cluny, Paris, and featuring a richly detailed ve...
Wool
Modern French Tapestry Attribute to Hervé Lelong
By Hervé Lelong
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful tapestry from 20th century with a modern design with signature of artist Hervé Lelong, machine made with wool velvet.
Wool
$7,877
H 75.99 in W 51.97 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry Verdure Human Flirting Scene Beige after "Francois Boucher" "This is an outstanding one-of-a-kind handmade Antique French Aubusson Tapestry after "Franc...
Wool
18th Century French Verdure Tapestry 6'10" x 9'6"
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous 18th Antique Century Silk & Wool French Verdure Tapestry, Country of origin: France, Circa date: 18th Century
Wool, Silk
Large Modern French Tapestry by J.L Viard
By J.L. Viard
Located in NYC, NY
A tapestry by French artist J.L Viard for Murmure des Sylves. Tightly woven wool and wool blends. Signed on the front and again the reverse tag with an edition 21 of 100.
Wool
Beautiful Modern 20th Century French Needlepoint Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice modern Art Deco needlepoint French tapestry, with a beautiful cock and sun design. And beautiful colors with orange, yellow, purple, grey and black, entirely hand embroidered wi...
Wool
$1,136
H 25.6 in W 41.74 in D 0.4 in
Bobyrug’s Nice French Modern Tapestry with a Design of Gilles Duvert
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Beautiful little modern tapestry with an abstract design from Gilles Duvert, entirely hand embroidered with wool. ✨✨✨ "Experience the epitome of luxury and craftsmanship with our ex...
Wool
French Clown or Jester Needlepoint Tapestry, Mid-Century Modern
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A charming vintage needlepoint portrait depicting a stylized clown in profile, rendered in rich, saturated tones against a deep green ground. The subject features classic mid-century...
Yarn
Antique French Forest Scene Tapestry, circa 1880 4'6 x 10'
Located in New York, NY
Antique French Forest scene tapestry, circa 1880, 4'6 x 10'. An antique French fine hand-loomed tapestry, circa 1880. A forest scene, with trees and foliage surrounded by a floral bo...
Wool
Bobyrug’s Nice Modern French Tapestry Signed Nee
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Explore timeless beauty with a midcentury French rug by Pauline Nee. This exquisite creation bears the signature touch of Nee Creation, a French enterprise known for crafting modern ...
Wool, Cotton
Beautiful Modern 20th Century French Needlepoint Tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Nice modern Art Deco design needlepoint French tapestry entirely hand embroidered with needlepoint method with wool on the cotton foundation. This tapestry features a lush, nature-i...
Wool, Silk
Nice modern French Aubusson Tapestry by « Lartigaud »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Discover the elegance of modern French tapestry with the exquisite design by Jean Michel Lartigaud. This limited edition masterpiece, woven in vibrant shades of orange, yellow, red, ...
Wool, Cotton, Silk
Sold
H 34 in W 24 in D 22 in
Superb Set of 10 French Modern Fruitwood & Tapestry Dining Chairs, Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 10 French Mid-Century (1930/40s) Mahogany & Tapestry Upholstered Dining Chairs, (JULES LELEU) (2 armchairs, 10 sides) (PRICED AS SET)
Mahogany