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.
French Art Deco Mother-of-Pearl Inlay Butterfly Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning French Art Deco credenza is designed by famous artisan Jules Leleu. It is comprised of mother-of-pearl inlay forming a butterfly motif with gold hardware, which accents the ...
Fine Art Deco Mahogany and Rosewood Sideboard Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare and elegant mahogany and rosewood Art Deco buffet by Jules Leleu inset with mother of pearl floral motifs and gilt-bronze mounts. Impressed mark and number to reverse 'C A' an...
Mahogany
Elegant Art Deco Period Inlaid Walnut Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant Art Deco Period inlaid walnut buffet by Jules Leleu inset with gilded bronze hoof feet
Walnut
Dudouyt - Spirit - Buffet - Oak - 1940 - French - Brutalist
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Evoking the structural elegance of French post-war functionalism A restrained yet monumental presence, this French sideboard from the 1940s embodies the aesthetic language of post-w...
Oak
French Art Deco Buffet in the Style of Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Gorgeous details on this French Art Deco buffet in the style of Jules Leleu in palisander wood with marquetry, mother-of-pearl, nacre and bronze inlay designs. The bronze caps, rings...
Palisander
Fine French Art Deco Rosewood and Mahogany Bar
Located in Long Island City, NY
A Fine French Art Deco rosewood marquetry and mahogany bar with a pull-out mirrored tablet and brass details.
Brass
French Art Deco Mahogany Buffet
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A classic and sleek French mahogany buffet from the Art Deco period is the perfect modern storage piece. The cabinet has its original gray and white marble top for a durable and prac...
Marble, Chrome
Jules Leleu Attributed Art Deco French Sideboard
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bradenton, FL
A French Art Deco period sideboard attributed to Jules Leleu. Made of mahogany, it consists of four seperate pieces secured together with bolts. A central cabinet with a beveled frame has book matched cabinet doors decorated with an elaborately scrolled brass escutcheon. Inside are two hand dovetailed drawers above a single shelf. Serpentine cabinets on either side each house a serpentine curved shelf...
Brass
Art Deco Buffet, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Presenting a captivating Art Deco buffet from 1950s France, carefully crafted to embody both elegance and functionality. This exceptional piece features two spacious storage compartm...
Oak
$19,478
H 37.01 in W 98.43 in D 21.26 in
Jules Leleu French Rosewood Diamond Marquetry Art Deco Sideboard, 1940's
By Jules Leleu
Located in Sofia, BG
Jules Leleu French rosewood diamond Marquetry Art Deco sideboard, 1940's This French Art Deco sideboard originates from the 1940s, It was produced by ...
Rosewood
$7,300
H 38.19 in W 70.87 in D 20.48 in
Dudouyt - Inspired - Raw Solid Oak Buffet - 1940s - France - Art Deco
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a remarkable 1940s French oak credenza, exuding the captivating allure of Art Deco brutalist design. This credenza showcases a harmonious blend of functionality and aesth...
Oak
Fine Art Deco Sideboard by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Jules Leleu (1883-1961). An important rosewood cabinet, decorated with a spray of inlay mother-of-pearl flowers and butterflies, legs with gilded bronze sabots. With the original ...
Bronze
$26,259
H 48.82 in W 72.05 in D 16.54 in
Fine Art Deco Mahogany Cabinet, attributed to Jules Leleu, circa 1925
By Jules Leleu
Located in Roma, IT
Important Art Déco cabinet, attributed to Jules Leleu, realized between 1925 and 1930. Executed in mahogany veneer with subtle figuring and a warm, satin finish, the cabinet showcas...
Mahogany, Ivory
Carrocel Custom Art Deco Style Walnut Sideboard Buffet
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
This made to order, Art Deco style buffet is crafted out of solid walnut. It has three large drawers in the middle with two curved doors on the e...
Metal
Art Deco Solid Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Very elegant credenza in solid oak, France, 1940s. Large Art Deco Brutalist sideboard. The credenza consists of two storage facilities and a central drawer column and covered with...
Oak
Sycamore Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
JULES LELEU (1883-1961) Sycamore veneer sideboard inlaid, with a quadrangular body opening with four solid doors adorned with wood and Pinctada maxima marquetry decor. Ovoid-shaped g...
Sycamore
Fine French Art Deco Rosewood sideboard by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu (1883 – 1961) A fine French 1930s four doors rosewood buffet with gilded bronze details. Interiors with shelves and drawers. Signed Overall depth with handles is 21"
Metal
Sold
H 37.8 in W 90.56 in D 22.05 in
French Art Deco Rosewood Sideboard Buffet Maison Jules Leleu, 1940's
By Jules Leleu
Located in Sofia, BG
This sideboard was made in France in the 1940s in the famous furniture house of Art Deco designer - Jules Leleu. The decorative elements on the doors are executed in the typical diam...
Rosewood
Elegant Art Deco Period Walnut Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Important Art Deco period walnut buffet by Jules Leleu inlaid with mother of pearl and various woods to form a floral motifs , fitted with gilt-bronze mounts. Bearing label: "Ce m...
Palisander
Sold
H 36.23 in W 95.28 in D 20.08 in
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Walnut Parquetry Buffet Sideboard Signed Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Benington, Herts
An exceptional three-door walnut and bronze French Art Deco buffet or sideboard designed and signed by Jules Leleu (1883-1961). French - Paris, circa 1940 Extremely well constr...
Walnut
Very Fine Mahogany Art Deco Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Montreal, QC
Very fine mahogany Art Deco buffet by Jules Leleu. Two fronts doors intricately decorated with marquetry fitted with fine cast gilded bronze ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 35.5 in W 55 in D 17.25 in
French Late Art Deco / Modern Neoclassical Sideboard / Buffet by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French late Art Deco / modern neoclassical sideboard / buffet by Jules Leleu, A 2-door cabinet composed in mahogany with the doors in a herringbone wood inlay and inset br...
Brass
Sold
H 33.27 in W 50.91 in D 17.45 in
Fine French Art Deco Palisander and Marquetry Buffet / Commode by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco Palisander and marquetry buffet / commode with bronze details. Signed.
Bronze
Jules Leleu Art Deco Cabinet, 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in Encino, CA
Jules Leleu, Amazing cabinet in rosewood veneer, France, circa 1930 Three doors and two drawers Nickel-plated bronze hardware, and handles in glass. Excellent condition, refinished. ...
Rosewood
Extremely Rare Art Deco Sideboard Buffet of Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Sofia, BG
Extremely rare and precious buffet sideboard of French top designer Jules Leleu Art Deco from 1940's, signed by himself. Roundings at the corners, metal edges all-over. Very fine mar...
Sycamore
Sold
H 33.5 in W 56.25 in D 17.75 in
Fine French Art Deco Sycamore and Marquetry Buffet / Commode by Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fine French Art Deco sycamore and marquetry buffet / commode by Leleu. Signed and documented page 55 of the book: Leleu, decorateurs ensembliers by Francoise Siriex. Editions Monelle...
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Buffet/Sideboard
By Jules Leleu
Located in Houston, TX
A beautiful Jules Leleu French Art Deco buffet/sideboard with diamond patterned rosewood, walnut supports, satinwood and mother-of-pearl inlay, giltwood edging and raised on bronze s...
Ormolu, Bronze