Léon Jallot was a French cabinetmaker who, just as modernism was gaining steam, preferred the pared-back elegance and traditional techniques associated with the design of French Provincial furniture and other styles that took shape prior to the 20th century.
While decorative flourishes and ornamentation were prominent in the Art Nouveau style of his time, Jallot advocated for the simple merits of good craftsmanship. He was a true woodworker, creating striking armchairs, cocktail tables and cabinets in oak, ash and pearwood that have a stately, architectural quality.
Jallot was born in Nantes in 1874 and started working with wood to create sculptural furniture when he was very young. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and began working at the store of Parisian entrepreneur and art dealer Siegfried Bing in 1898. Jallot soon assumed the role of Art Nouveau director at Bing’s storefront. He helped coordinate and oversaw Bing's exhibit at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1900.
Jallot left Siegfried Bing’s employ in 1901 to become a founding member of the inaugural Salon of Société des Artistes Décorateurs. The organization was established to sponsor annual salons and encourage an interest in the fine arts and design. In 1903, Jallot also opened his own decorating workshop, where he worked on everything from furniture and decor to upholstery and textiles. He exhibited at the Salons of Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts in 1908 and the Salon d'Automne in 1919.
Jallot introduced his son, Maurice Jallot, to the cabinetmaking business in 1921. Maurice took after his father in the impressive skills and passion that he developed for design, and the two became partners. They exhibited several of their commissioned pieces together at 1925’s International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris — the art fair that introduced the Art Deco style to the world.
Jallot retired in the 1940s, and Maurice carried on the business until the end of the decade.
Today, some of Léon Jallot's pieces are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His furniture was also showcased at an exhibit in 2017 called "The Jazz Age: American Style in the 1920s" at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
On 1stDibs, find antique Léon Jallot seating, tables, case pieces and more.
Leon Jallot Sculpted Walnut Desk and Chair
By Léon Jallot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French transitional (from Art Nouveau to early Art Deco) desk and en suite chair by Leon Jallot in sculpted walnut and walnut burl, circa 1910. This desk ...
Walnut
$28,500 / item
Leon Jallot desk in macassar ebony
By Léon Jallot
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic French Art Deco desk designed by Leon Jallot, circa 1925, in macassar ebony with sculpted panels. This desk is unrestored in the photographs. Dimensions are 53” wide x 31.5” ...
Macassar
$18,795 / item
H 29.5 in W 78.5 in D 39.5 in
Luxury Italian Giorgio Ebony Macassar and Sycamore Desk in High Gloss Finish
By Giorgio Collection
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in the epitome of luxury with this exquisite desk. Its ebony Macassar top, adorned with a Zebra veneer filet in high gloss polyester, exudes opulence. Velvet-lined drawers offer plush storage, while brushed stainless steel feet add a modern touch. A fusion of craftsmanship and elegance, this desk is a statement of refined taste and sophistication. Desk with top in ebony Macassar with 6 mm filet in Zebra veneer in high gloss polyester with 1 full extension drawer with bottom velvet. inside and 1 file drawer on each side. Center pencil drawer...
Macassar, Ebony
$2,000 / item
H 30 in W 16 in D 18 in
Walnut Wood and Cork Chair, Dining or Writing Desk Chair, Porto Chair
By Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
The Porto chair embraces the fusion of timeless elegance and functional minimalism. This streamlined chair complements your urban wood dining table or writing desk in the office. Wit...
Wood
$10,230 / item
H 29.93 in W 31.5 in D 87.8 in
Modern by Giuseppe Carpanelli Cartesio Writing Desk in Ebony
By Carpanelli
Located in Desio, IT
Writing desk made with a mix of raw materials: wood, leather, stainless steel and glass. Drawers in curved plywood, with a Makassar ebony finishing, equipped with drawers with full-e...
Ebony
$7,195
H 30.5 in W 70 in D 34 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood and Macassar Ebony Executive Desk by Henredon
By Milo Baughman, Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern or Art Deco style executive writing desk In the manner of Milo Baughman By Henredon, "Scene Two" Collection USA, Circa 1970s Stunning bo...
Macassar, Burl
Office chair and desk vintage MIM
By MIM Roma
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Beautiful vintage desk chair dating from the 1980s last century. Manufactured in Italy by the company MIM mim mobili spa, this chair has a chrome-plated metal frame with integrated s...
Metal
$4,000Sale Price|48% Off
H 29 in W 65 in D 38 in
Macassar Ebony French Art Deco Dining Table in the style of Dominique, c. 1940
By Dominique
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeous French Art Deco dining table in exotic Macassar Ebony wood, which would also work beautifully as a desk, was just restored in a French Polish lacquer. From circa 1930s ...
Macassar
$7,120Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.625 in W 70.5 in D 42 in
Exceptional Antique Art Deco Large Macassar Ebony Wood Executive Desk
Located in Detroit, MI
This exceptional antique Art Deco Macassar ebony wood large executive desk circa 1930 is expertly handcrafted from solid wood, maple and Macassar ebony wood veneer with gorgeous colo...
Brass, Metal
Léon Jallot, Early Art Deco Side chair, France, c. 1922
By Léon Jallot
Located in New York, NY
Carved fruitwood Art Deco side chair by Léon Jallot. Provenance: This set of furniture, comprised of a pair of armchairs, a pair of side chairs, ...
Fruitwood
Art Deco desk in Macassar ebony - France, 1920s
Located in London, GB
This graceful Art Deco writing desk, harking of the style of French cabinetmaker and decorator Eugène Printz, is made from richly hued and beautifully grained Macassar ebony veneer. ...
Macassar
Modern Christian Liaigre Style Macassar Ebony Desk
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Custom desk with macassar ebony veneer wood top sitting on stainless steel legs. Could also be used as a console. No manufacturer markings. Came from multi-million dollar condo. S...
Aluminum
$3,198
H 40.56 in W 24.22 in D 20.48 in
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Victorian Carved Walnut Desk Chairs
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality pair of antique Victorian carved walnut desk chairs having an outstanding quality carved walnut shape top rail, fantastic shaped burr walnut centre splat, shaped ...
Walnut
$7,881 / item
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 47.25 in
Macassar Writing Desk with Bronze-Patina Brass Deatils by R&Y Augousti
By R & Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Sonia writing desk is the perfect piece for your room. A more subtle version to her sister the iconic writing desk, the Sonia has elegant legs inlaid in Macassar wood and bronze-...
Brass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 70.08 in D 39.38 in
Art Deco Desk by Léon Jallot, Black Lacquer Wood & Brass, France
By Léon Jallot
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a Kind and very refined Blck large desk or office table, original from the period and Art Deco style, following the style and work of Léon Jallot and his son Maurice. Made o...
Bakelite, Wood