Jules Leleu founded Maison Leleu with his brother Marcel in Paris in 1910. The firm specialized in interior design projects and furnishings created in the era’s luxurious Art Deco style for residential and commercial spaces around the world. There were plush sofas, sleek walnut cabinets that featured marquetry and brass door pulls, and stately coffee tables with bases that terminated with substantial bronze sabots.
A designer and ensemblier, Jules 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 opulent materials — from lacquer and ivory to sharkskin and exotic woods — that were keynotes of haute Art Deco design.
Marcel and Jules’s clientele included President Eisenhower, the Ecuadorian ambassador to France and Prince Pierre of Monaco, who favored Maison Leleu’s Directoire-inspired designs. Jules’s children, André, Paule and Jean worked at the family business expanding their reach to include projects that encompassed luxury passenger ship interiors and even so far as the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as the private residences of royalty. 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).
Maison Leleu closed its doors, somewhat mysteriously, in 1973.
Alexia, Jean’s granddaughter, pursued a career in pharmaceuticals but her family history always nagged at her. Why would such a successful company close its doors and walk away from it all? By meeting with her great-grandfather’s secretary, Françoise Siriex, Alexia discovered a contract between Maison Leleu and the Shah of Iran from 1969. Maison Leleu spent the subsequent three years designing and producing over 50 displays for an event that marked the anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire, but in a devastating one-two punch, the Shah didn’t pay for the work and the Iranian Revolution put any hopes out of reach. To avoid bankruptcy, Maison Leleu disappeared.
As of 2018, Alexia has reignited the old flame and is restoring the company back to its former glory. With a strong focus on her heritage and qualities that rendered Maison Leleu exemplary — refinement and timeless design — the new Maison Leleu offers furniture, lighting and rugs and has secured partnerships with luxury brands Louis Vuitton and Cartier as well as Claridge’s Hotel.
One 1stDibs, find a collection of antique Maison Leleu seating, tables and storage case pieces.
Aglaé Cabinet in Black Parchment and Rock Crystal by Maison Leleu
By Maison Leleu
Located in Paris, France
Created in 2025, the Aglaé cabinet is a contemporary reinterpretation of a unique Maison Leleu model originally designed in 1960 and crafted in tortoiseshell. For this new edition, ...
Rock Crystal
Maison Leleu, Four-Door Cabinet, France, 1961
By Maison Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This cabinet was specifically designed for the living room of Mr. Frilet, one of Leleu’s most important clients. This cabinet is recorded in Maison Leleu’s Livre des Cre´ations under: 5457 Grand Meuble - Salon de Mr Frilet in 1961. It is also mentioned in the document: Statement Lacquer Cabinets 03 -28-1962 Sm res, dated March 28...
Gold Leaf
Maison Leleu, Mid-century Walnut Cabinet With Sliding Doors, France, C. 1965
By Maison Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Walnut cabinet with sliding doors, removable shelves and metal legs by Maison Leleu. For an illustration of a similar model, see Siriex, Franc¸oise. The House of Leleu. New York, Hudson Hills...
Metal
$32,982 / item
H 39.38 in W 78.75 in D 20.48 in
Baron 4 Door Storage Cabinet — Patinated Brass — Made in Britain by NOVOCASTRIAN
By Richy Almond, Novocastrian
Located in Washington, GB
A four-doored sideboard in hand-patinated brass. Each door operates on push-to-open, soft-close hinges. Handcrafted in the North to order, this sideboard can be commissioned in besp...
Stone, Limestone, Marble, Carrara Marble, Slate, Metal, Brass, Bronze, C...
$170,540
H 45.28 in W 56.3 in D 17.33 in
Italian Art Deco Bar Cabinet in Parchment with Inlays Signed by Anzani, 1930s
By Giuseppe Anzani
Located in Meda, MB
This bar cabinet was produced in Italy, in the late 1930s and is a really unique and special piece. Its tremendous historical and artistic value is what makes this item a real piece of art, hard to find and one of a kind. Firstly, let's talk about its history. It was produced most likely in 1939 in Mariano Comense which is a small village near Milan by the artist Giuseppe Anzani. Anzani has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest wood crafter and inlaid maker. He started his career as an engraver when he was a little child and he won awards for his skills when he was only 16. Later on, he started also to master the art of wood inlay, becoming the most skilled inlayer of all times. His fame was so big that people from all over the world used to come to his little laboratory in the small and unknown village...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Maple, Walnut, Parchment Paper
Free Edge George Nakashima 2-Door Cabinet
By George Nakashima
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An early cabinet consisting of 2 sliding doors concealing 4 drawers and a shelf. George Nakshima sliding door cabinet Open shelf on 1 side, 4 drawers...
Walnut
$4,800
H 72 in W 82 in D 16.5 in L 72 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arra...
Teak
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
$8,700
H 32 in W 106.5 in D 18 in
Custom Harvey Probber Rosewood / Lacquer and Steel Bi-Fold Door Cabinet
By Harvey Probber
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning cabinet custom made for M&T Corporate office's,,,downtown Buffalo NY,, Wonderful book-matched rosewood,,left and right b-fold doors /shelves.. center door /four drawers.. Bl...
Steel
Maison Leleu, Sideboard Cabinet, France, 1956
By Maison Leleu
Located in New York, NY
With original label dated: 9 Nov 1956 Numbered: 28261 At nearly twelve feet long, this magnificent sideboard is a marvel of unity and proportion. Made of mahogany and covered in...
Bronze
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
$4,700
H 29.75 in W 51.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Mirror and Chrome Four Door Cabinet or Credenza
By Ello Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek minimalist cabinet by Ello Furniture circa 1970's. It features mirror polished chrome sides, mirrored doors, mirrored top, and tons of storage. Clean and ready to use.
Chrome
19th Century French Boulle Inlaid Side Cabinet or Credenza
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century French Boulle serpentine fronted credenza, having shaped glazed doors to either end with shelves within. The central door with classical scrolling fo...
Brass
$38,500
H 45.87 in W 50.01 in D 15.75 in
Guglielmo Ulrich for Ar.Ca Milano Bar Cabinet in Wood and Parchment
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guglielmo Ulrich for Ar.Ca, chest of drawers, parchment, walnut, maple, Italy, early 1930s This exceptional bar cabinet by Guglielmo Ulrich for Ar.Ca Milano exemplifies the refined...
Maple, Rosewood, Parchment Paper
Sold|$4,495
H 31.75 in W 54 in D 20.5 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Danish Teak Tambour Door Stereo Cabinet
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A striking record and stereo console designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler, Denmark, crafted in rich teak and bearing the original Sibast Furniture and Danish Furnituremakers Con...
Teak
Unusual Dunbar Chest with Bifold Doors
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Dunbar chest, circa 1960s with bifold doors, concealing 2 drawers on one side and adjustable shelves on the other. Measuring 36" W and 18" D its...
$84,000Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 93.25 in W 73 in D 20 in
1970s Maison Jansen Style Custom Brass and Lacquered Wood Cabinets
By Maison Jansen
Located in Dallas, TX
These magnificent display cabinets came from an upper east side home in NYC. They appear to be custom made and possibly Maison Jansen. They are solid brass with a lacquered wood finish. There is tempered glass on the back and the sides along with four push front glass doors on the front of each cabinet. Each cabinet has five glass shelves. The lower section of the display cabinets has four lacquered doors ornamented by beautiful hammered brass handles. Each concealed section has a lacquered shelf...
Brass
$1,273Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.3 in W 37.6 in D 17.92 in
Bar Cocktail Cabinet, Walnut & Marble France, 20th Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Buffet cocktail bar made from a sewing machine cabinet Walnut lacquered Marble has been inlaid at the sewing-machine level, giving it a quality design that's practical for placing gl...
Wrought Iron
Maison Leleu, Pair of Red Lacquer Cabinets, France, circa 1957
By Maison Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Stylized foliage motif on the doors designed by Paule Leleu (1906-1987) Signed: JLeleu Stamped: LELEU Paris Numbered: 29107 Designed for the Villa Médy Roc in Cap d’Antibes (So...
Metal