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.
H 52 in W 32.88 in D 16 in
Fine French Art Deco Bar by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 - 1961) : A fine French Art Deco bar cabinet with palisander and metal marquetry, and brass mounted details. Interiors in sycamore, mirror and chrome. Inlaid plaque...
Brass, Chrome
H 37.41 in W 53.94 in D 13.78 in
1930s French Art Decò Sideboard Buffet Dry Bar by Jules Leleu, in Walnut Briar
By Jules Leleu
Located in Vigonza, Padua
This beautiful sideboard designed and executed by J&M Leleu, Paris (Jules and Marcel Leleu atelier), all in precious walnut briar , is a piece of furniture that alone embellishes...
Walnut
H 50 in W 51.25 in D 20 in
A French Modernist Bar Cabinet, in the Manner of Jules Leleu, C. 1950.
By Jules Leleu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined French bar cabinet exhibiting the elegant modernist style associated with Jules Leleu later designs. The upper section fitted with mirrored interior and sliding glass doors...
Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Mirror, Wood
H 54 in W 69 in D 18 in
Jules Leleu Sycamore Cabinet
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional sycamore cabinet has shelves on both sides. The center section has two drawers and one section of shelves and original glass handles. It is signed on the inside of the door. Referenced in the newest Leleu book.
Sycamore
H 53 in W 30.5 in D 15.5 in
Phillip Lloyd Powell Two Door Walnut Bar Cabinet, Circa 1960
By Phillip Lloyd Powell
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Phillip Lloyd Powell American Studio craft movement solid walnut dry bar. Featuring a handcrafted narrow rectangular plinth with two piano hinged doors, two Walnut rimmed White Lamin...
Laminate, Walnut
H 58.5 in W 46 in D 18.5 in
French Art Deco Vitrine or Display Cabinet in the Style of Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Rare stunning French Art Deco burl Amboyna vitrine or dry bar. Beautiful mother-of-pearl inlay with gorgeous marquetry. Sliding glass doors open for plenty of space for display. In t...
Amboyna
H 60.5 in W 74 in D 21 in
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
H 60 in W 71 in D 22 in
French parquetry Cabinet Armoire by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cabinet with parquetry design by Jules Leleu Paris, Model no. 4178. Designed in 1951 and this example is dated to 1953. Functioning as an Armoire for wardrobe, the cabinet fe...
Bronze
H 39.25 in W 98.25 in D 21.5 in
A French Modernist Marquetry Sideboard, attributed to Jules Leleu, C. 1950.
By Jules Leleu
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A refined French sideboard designed in the elegant modernist tradition attributed to Jules Leleu. The rectangular top above a case fitted with two pairs of doors, each finely decorat...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
H 48.43 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Black Brutalist Bar Cabinet, Two Doors, Three Drawers, Belgium, 1970s
By De Coene Frères
Located in Hilversum, NL
This striking black Brutalist bar cabinet, crafted in Belgium in the 1970s, is a stunning example of minimalist design. Made from black lacquered oak, the sideboard features two door...
Oak
Jules Leleu, Vanity Cabinet, France, 1948
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Rare palissander drop front vanity cabinet by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). The drop front opens to reveal an illuminated mirror in three sections Bibliog...
Brass, Bronze
Large Two-Door Commode by Jules Leleu, France, 1939
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Macassar ebony two-door commode with mother of pearl and ebony inlay by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). Marquetry by Messager. This cabinet was exhibited in the museum show "Leleu 50 ans de mobilier et de décoration, 1920-1970" held in 2007 and 2008 at the Musée des Années 30, Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France and at La Piscine - Musée Art et Industrie...
Macassar, Mother-of-Pearl, Ebony
Jules Leleu Cabinet, France, 1956
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Vitrine by Jules Leleu in mahogany marquetry with glass sliding doors and gilt bronze legs Bears its original label dated Nov 9th 1956, and is numbered on the back: 28332 Prove...
Bronze
Jules Leleu, Pair of Tall Art Deco Cabinets, France, C. 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
These cabinets share striking details, such as hardware and finish, with a series of pieces specially created by Maison Leleu for the steamship L'Atlantique. These stunning pieces we...
Bronze
Jules Leleu, Pair of Oak Armchairs, France, circa 1948
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
This pair of cabriolet armchairs are constructed with oak frames with an upholstered seat and back, its elegant curves contrasting with its sharp lines. The angled armrests finish in...
Upholstery, Oak
Maison Leleu, Mid-century Two-door Walnut Cabinet, France, C. 1960
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Walnut cabinet with sliding doors, removable shelves and metal legs by Maison Leleu. Signed: Leleu Paris. The house of Leleu rose to prominence in the 1920s during the Art Déco per...
Metal
