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.
Fine French Art Deco Dining Table by Jules Leleu ( 8 dining chairs available)
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco extendable dining table, in walnut with a 4 legs pedestal base and bronze details. Signed Length with the 2 matching end leaves is 107 3/4" 8 original dining...
Walnut
Jules Leleu- A French 1950s 3 Drawer Walnut Writing Table with Brass Details
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jules Leleu - A fine French Mid-Century three drawer walnut desk with brass details. A similar desk is shown page 137 of the book "Jules et Andre Leleu" by Vivianne Jutheau - Edited...
Brass
Jules Leleu Double Pedestal Mahogany Art Deco Desk with Gilt Bronze Details
By Jules Leleu
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jules Leleu (1883-1961) double-fronted mahogany and brass desk, circa 1935. Having two set of four pedestal drawers and a single frieze drawer, accented in gilt bronze. Inset with p...
Bronze
French Art Deco Kneehole Desk by Jules Leleu, Mahogany & Leather, 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco large mahogany kneehole desk with bronze column design trim and leather top. (JULES LELEU)
Bronze
Jules Leleu, Lady's Writing Desk, France, circa 1930
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
A small and unfussy writing desk with three drawers, its two gently flared legs and top in richly veined walnut. Bibliography: - Mobilier et Décoration, November 1931. Similar desk...
Walnut
Art Deco rosewood desk by Jules Leleu with a central parchment writing surface
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
Elegant French Art Deco desk by Jules Leleu, circa 1934, veneered in richly figured rosewood and centered by a rectangular parchment (parchemin) writing panel that adds a soft, matte...
Metal
De Coene Art Deco Dining Table, 1941
By De Coene Frères
Located in Antwerp, BE
Dining table by De Coene Frères chairs, model Voltaire, featured in original catalogue as the number 03-81-689 (Source: Noël Hostens, De Coene A...
Brass
$4,000
H 31.11 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860 Library Writing Table Desk with Twin Writing Slopes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original circa 1860 Mahogany library table with built in twin writing slopes This is a very r...
Hardwood
$453Sale Price|50% Off
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Birch, Mahogany
Child Rosewood Writing Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This compact desk is functional and stylish, with a minimal design and three drawers for organization. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).
Rosewood
Jacques Adnet Leather Desk and Chair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Exceptional Art Deco era desk with matching chair by French modernist designer Jacques Adnet. Entire desk is wrapped in leather. Iron frame with 4 po...
Brass, Iron
French Art Deco Table By Jules Leleu
By Paul Follot, Maison Dominique, Jean Dunand, Jules Leleu, Eugene Printz
Located in Houston, TX
French Art Deco Table By Jules Leleu. Offered is a gorgeous 1930's era French Art Deco sycamore table trimmed in stunning bronze accents and sabots and topped with a beautiful gold e...
Bronze
English Walnut Burl Three-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Created for us by an English cabinetmaker with whom we have been associated for over 30 years, this walnut writing desk has Classic lines that would blend well in a modern setting. I...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
English Walnut Burl Two-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-drawer walnut writing desk is made for us by our English cabinetmaker. Using time-honored techniques, this table is created in just the same fashion as it would have been 20...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
Art Deco Writing Desk with Fluted Legs, Circa 1940s, France
Located in Beirut, LB
This French Art Deco writing desk, dating from the 1940s, features a sophisticated D-shaped "floating" top that creates an elegant architectural niche above the central drawer and lo...
Wood
On Hold|$6,800
H 30.25 in W 41.5 in D 22.25 in L 30.25 in
Maison Soubrier French Art Deco Mahogany Desk
By Maison Soubrier, André Arbus
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant French Art Deco mahogany writing desk featuring three drawers fitted with square nickel-plated bronze pulls, slender tapering legs, and a subtly stepped top.
Bronze, Nickel
Elegant French Art Deco Desk circa 1930s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant French Art Deco Desk, France, circa 1930s. Stylish tapered leg form with geometric inlaid design between the drawers. Two deep locking drawers provide ample storage and it re...
Metal
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.5 in W 34.5 in D 23 in
19th Century French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive size 19th century French provincial writing table or desk. The table is constructed from fruitwood with a warm patina and lovely wood grain patterns. Fronted by a single s...
Fruitwood
Art Deco Desk And Chairs Set By Jules Leleu And Maxime Old
By Maxime Old, Jules Leleu
Located in New Orleans, LA
This timeless chair and desk set features the iconic designs of two French Art Deco greats, Jules Leleu and Maxime Old. Together, the chic set epitomizes the fluid elegance of this p...
Velvet, Mahogany, Lacquer
Jules Leleu Semicircle Desk
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Semi circular birch wood desk by Jules Leleu About Jules Leleu: Jules Leleu (1883 - 1961) a French designer and ensemblier, Jules Leleu was one of the key authors of the Art D...
Birch
Jules Leleu French Art Deco Extendable Dining Table
By Jules Leleu
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning French Art Deco dining table by Jules Leleu. This fine table can also be used as a desk, conference room or writing table. Recently refinished with a bar top varnish. M...
Brass, Bronze
Sold
H 29.75 in W 94.5 in D 47.25 in
Large Fine French Art Deco Extendable Walnut Dining Table by Leleu - Documented
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large Fine French Art Deco modernist extendable walnut dining table with chrome details. 2 original end leaves, possibility for 2 more. Documentation: "Art & Industrie" October 193...
Chrome
Jean Prouve Reading Table
By Jules Leleu, Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Jean Prouvé reading table for Martel de Janville Sanatorium, Plateau d'Assy, France, 1936. Enameled steel, laminate over wood, and chrome-plated steel. T...
Metal
Sold
H 28.5 in W 59.88 in D 44.5 in
A Fine French Art Deco Extendable Walnut Dining Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
A fine French Art Deco walnut dining table by Jules Leleu with two matching ends leaves. Bronze details. Length with the two leave...
Bronze
French Art Deco Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French Art Deco desk made of mahogany with three drawers, scalloped shaped apron and roundel stretcher between the front and back legs; the legs squared and tapered. The d...
A Fine French Art Deco Walnut Extendable Dining Table by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Long Island City, NY
Fine French 1950s walnut dining / writing table with two ends pull-out leaves and bronze details (sabots). Width is 110" when fully extended.
Bronze
Jules Leleu, Mahogany writing table, France, c. 1940
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany and gilt-bronze writing table with two drawers by Jules Leleu For an illustration of an identical table, see Siriex, Françoise. The House of Leleu. New York: Hudson Hills...
Bronze
1940's French Mahogany Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
Signed by French designer Jules Leleu, this 1940's table desk is composed of brass trimmed mahogany with a rectangular top with a small brown leather writing area above three drawers...
Brass
Jules Leleu, Mahogany Vanity, France, 1945
By Jules Leleu
Located in New York, NY
Mahogany writing table or vanity by Jules Leleu with its original mirror, and patinated and gilt bronze details Signed "JLeleu" on upper front leg Provenance: Designed by Leleu...
Bronze
1940's Glass Top Mahogany Desk by Jules Leleu
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
Signed by French Art Deco designer Jules Leleu, this four legged 1940s mahogany desk features three drawers and bronze trim under a molded top sheathed in glass. The piece is finishe...
Bronze