Léon Jallot Furniture
Léon Jallot was a French cabinetmaker who, just as modernism was gaining steam, preferred the pared-back elegance and traditional techniques associated with the design of French Provincial furniture and other styles that took shape prior to the 20th century.
While decorative flourishes and ornamentation were prominent in the Art Nouveau style of his time, Jallot advocated for the simple merits of good craftsmanship. He was a true woodworker, creating striking armchairs, cocktail tables and cabinets in oak, ash and pearwood that have a stately, architectural quality.
Jallot was born in Nantes in 1874 and started working with wood to create sculptural furniture when he was very young. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and began working at the store of Parisian entrepreneur and art dealer Siegfried Bing in 1898. Jallot soon assumed the role of Art Nouveau director at Bing’s storefront. He helped coordinate and oversaw Bing's exhibit at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900.
Jallot left Siegfried Bing’s employ in 1901 to become a founding member of the inaugural Salon of Société des Artistes Décorateurs. The organization was established to sponsor annual salons and encourage an interest in the fine arts and design. In 1903, Jallot also opened his own decorating workshop, where he worked on everything from furniture and decor to upholstery and textiles. He exhibited at the Salons of Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1908 and the Salon d'Automne in 1919.
Jallot introduced his son, Maurice Jallot, to the cabinetmaking business in 1921. Maurice took after his father in the impressive skills and passion that he developed for design, and the two became partners. They exhibited several of their commissioned pieces together at 1925’s International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris — the art fair that introduced the Art Deco style to the world.
Jallot retired in the 1940s, and Maurice carried on the business until the end of the decade.
Today, some of Léon Jallot's pieces are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His furniture was also showcased at an exhibit in 2017 called "The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s" at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
On 1stDibs, find antique Léon Jallot seating, tables, case pieces and more.
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Wood, Pearwood, Burl
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Giltwood
1910s French Art Nouveau Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Walnut
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Pearwood
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Shagreen, Rosewood
1910s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Léon Jallot Furniture
Amboyna
2010s North American Modern Léon Jallot Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Upholstery, Hardwood, Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century Moroccan Moorish Léon Jallot Furniture
Bone, Wood
1930s French Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Léon Jallot Furniture
Brass
1930s Belgian Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Faux Leather, Wood
Late 20th Century English Art Deco Léon Jallot Furniture
Maple
20th Century Belgian Léon Jallot Furniture
Mirror, Wood
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Léon Jallot Furniture
Bronze
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Léon Jallot Furniture
Velvet, Lucite
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Léon Jallot Furniture
Mahogany, Glass, Wood
2010s Italian Renaissance Léon Jallot Furniture
Crystal, Gold Leaf, Gold
