Jules Leleu, Modernist Settee, Mahogany, Brass, Bouclé, 1960s, France
View Similar Items
Jules Leleu, Modernist Settee, Mahogany, Brass, Bouclé, 1960s, France
About the Item
- Creator:Maison Leleu (Cabinetmaker),Jules Leleu (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 57 in (144.78 cm)Depth: 30 in (76.2 cm)Seat Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Light patina to wood. Reupholstered in brand new high end bouclé.
- Seller Location:High Point, NC
- Reference Number:Seller: 29751stDibs: LU3228115521371
Jules Leleu
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.
Maison Leleu
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.
- Jules Leleu, Sofa, Mahogany, Brass, Fabric, France, 1960sBy Jules LeleuLocated in High Point, NCA mahogany, brass and bouclé fabric sofa or settee designed and produced by Jules Leleu, France, 1960s. Literature: Sirex, The House of Leleu, 2008, p. 327. seat height 15.5”. Reu...Category
Vintage 1960s French Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Guglielmo Veronesi, Settee, Bouclé Fabric, Brass, ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950sBy ISA BergamoLocated in High Point, NCAn organic settee / two-seat sofa. Designed by Guglielmo Veronesi, produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. Reupholstered in a brand new high-end bouclé fabric from Pierre Frey.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- Guglielmo Veronesi, Settee, Bouclé Fabric, Brass, ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950sBy ISA BergamoLocated in High Point, NCAn organic settee / two-seat sofa. Designed by Guglielmo Veronesi, produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. Reupholstered in a brand new high-end bouclé fabric from Pierre Frey.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBrass
- American Designer, Settee, Oak, Bamboo, Velvet, USA, 1960sLocated in High Point, NCA cerused oak, bamboo and grey brown velvet sofa designed and produced in the US, 1960s. Seat height: 17.25”Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsVelvet, Bamboo, Oak
- ISA Bergamo, Settee, Brass, Fabric, Italy, 1950sBy ISA BergamoLocated in High Point, NCA brass and light pink fabric settee, designed and produced by ISA Bergamo, Italy, 1950s. 14.5" seat heightCategory
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsBrass
- Italian Designer, Sofa or Settee, Fabric, Brass, Italy, 1950sLocated in High Point, NCA fabric and brass sofa, designed and produced in Italy, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsBrass
- Maison Leleu, Settee, France, C. 1960By Maison LeleuLocated in New York, NYLoveseat and pair of armchairs with gunmetal patinated bronze legs and gilt bronze sabots, by Maison Leleu. For illustrations of similar models, see Siriex, Françoise. The House of Leleu. New York: Hudson Hills...Category
Vintage 1960s French Loveseats
MaterialsBronze
- Danish 1960s Midcentury Settee in Teak and LeatherBy France & Daverkosen, Tove & Edvard Kindt-LarsenLocated in Bridgeport, CTBeautiful and elegant small 1950s easy style Danish settee with the frame, legs and armrests in solid teak. Very high design quality and workmanship. The piece is unmarked but the de...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Settees
MaterialsTeak, Leather
- French Country Louis XV Style Carved Mahogany Burgundy Wingback Settee SofaLocated in Philadelphia, PAAntique French Country Louis XV style carved mahogany settee. Item features partial down filled cushion, bolster pillow, solid woo...Category
Mid-20th Century American Louis XV Loveseats
MaterialsMahogany
- ISA Bergamo Rare Curved Settee in Ivory Bouclé, Italy, 1950sBy ISA BergamoLocated in New York, NYISA Bergamo exquisite channel back curved settee with gilt metal legs in ivory bouclé, Italy, 1950s. This elegant settee has gentle curves throughout including its channel back, seat, and signature cutout gilt metal front legs and saber back legs which exude luxury and playfulness. This unique curved settee or loveseat exhibits the the soft organic lines and the sculptural form of ISA Bergamo's 1950s designs, both classical yet modernist, and unequivocally timeless. Fully restored and newly upholstered in a luxurious Holland & Sherry Melissani White bouclé. Available is a matching ISA Bergamo pair...Category
Vintage 1950s Settees
MaterialsMetal
- French Giltwood Sofa SetteeLocated in Douglas Manor, NYA French Louis XVI style giltwood sofa settee with white new damask upholstery. Structurally sound in good original conditions.Category
Vintage 1940s French Loveseats
MaterialsFabric, Hardwood
- Antique French Mahogany Loveseat or Settee, Lion Paw Feet Unrestored c1800'sLocated in Chicago, ILAntique French settee or loveseat deconstructed and probably made in the late 1800's. When you take a hard look at the lion paw feet, you'll noti...Category
Antique 1880s French Victorian Settees
MaterialsFabric, Mahogany