Jules Leleu, Yellow Upholstered Mahogany Art Deco Armchair, France, circa 1926
About the Item
- Creator:Maison Leleu (Maker),Jules Leleu (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 34 in (86.36 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1926
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Jules Leleu, Art Deco Walnut Armchair, France, C. 1948By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYThis remarkable pair of late Deco armchairs possess many of the beautiful aesthetic trappings of Jules Leleu's most famous 40s designs, and are clad in an elaborate, wildly colorful upholstery...Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Jules Leleu, Mahogany and Leather Armchair, France, circa 1945By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYMahogany and leather visitor armchair by Jules Leleu. Marked with model number.Category
Vintage 1940s French Armchairs
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Jules Leleu, Set of Four Armchairs, France, circa 1928By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYThe house of Leleu rose to prominence in the 1920s during the Art Déco period, and became known for the ornate classicism of its richly refined furniture and lavish interiors. In the...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Jules Leleu, Walnut Armchair, France, C. 1948By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYSingle walnut armchair by Jules Leleu An identical chair was shown at the Leleu exhibition, Chefs d’oeuvre de l’Afrique noire, in Leleu’s showroom on the Avenue Franklin-Roosevelt, ...Category
20th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Jules Leleu, Pair of Oak Armchairs, France, circa 1948By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYPair of oak armchairs by Jules Leleu (1883-1961) Provenance: Originally from the collection of Jean Leleu, Paris Bibliography: The House of Leleu by Françoise Siriex, New Yo...Category
20th Century French Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Oak
- Jules Leleu, Art Deco Bench with Fluted Mahogany Frame, France, circa 1925By Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYPlease note that the fluted carving seen on our bench is an element of the design vocabulary used by Jules Leleu in the mid-1920s, as seen on the chair featured on the dust jacket of the French edition of the book "House of Leleu." This is possibly a grand piano bench and was purchased several decades ago from the Calderwood Gallery...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Benches
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Set Art Deco Armchairs by Jules Leleu 1930By Jules LeleuLocated in Meulebeke, BEGreat set of Art Deco club chairs and sofa made by the French designer Jules Leleu made around 1930. Fully reupholstered in champagne color velvet. Has some great details in the cur...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsVelvet
- Fine French Art Deco Club Chair by Jules LeleuBy Jules LeleuLocated in Long Island City, NYA fine French Art Deco medium size upholstered club armchair by Jules Leleu with sycamore legs.Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Sycamore
- Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchair by Jules LeleuBy Jules LeleuLocated in Long Island City, NYJules Leleu: A fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchair with bronze sabots.Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsFabric, Mahogany
- Jules Leleu French Art Deco Bergére ArmchairsBy Jules LeleuLocated in New York, NYPair of French Art Deco mahogany Bergère armchairs with beige geometric upholstery attributed to Jules Leleu.Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Fine French Art Deco Mahogany Armchairs by Jules LeleuBy Jules LeleuLocated in Long Island City, NYA Pair of fine French Art Deco mahogany bridge armchairs by Jules Leleu. Price includes refinishing (satin - semi gloss finish). Re-upholstery not included.Category
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- French Deco Armchair in Cuban Mahogany by Jules LeleuBy Jules LeleuLocated in Minneapolis, MNFrench Art Deco armchair in Cuban mahogany designed by Jules Leleu. Frame is in very good vintage condition, clear lacquer finish shows some signs of use but is in acceptable and use...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMahogany
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
These Accomplished Female Makers Have a Penchant for Offbeat Organic Designs
Daring shapes and soft curves define the impressive output of five women furniture designers around the globe — in Ireland, Ukraine, Israel, Denmark and France.
Michael Coffey Stirs Emotions with Works Like His Satan’s Tongue Table
Drawing on both artistry and clever engineering, the master craftsman imbues his pieces with movement and drama.