Rare Jules Leleu Art Deco Marquetry Sideboard #2845

A rare Art Deco commode / sideboard by Jules Leleu with ebony and mother of pearl inlaid marquetry and bronze mounts, by Jules Leleu (1883-1961) model number 2873.

French - Paris, circa 1939.

A masterpiece of design and craftsmanship by the renowned Art Deco designer and influencer Jules Leleu. The shaped top over twin bowed and convex doors centre by a marquetry butterfly and floral spray of ebony veneers and mother of pearl inlay by Messager). Each door opening to reveal a sycamore lined interior and an adjustable shelve with its edge veneered, above a gilt bronze outlined apron, raised on shaped end supports clad with gilt bronze mounts and sabots.

In excellent condition and of wonderful colour retaining both of the original steel and bronze keys, an extremely rare piece by one of the key designers in beginning the Art Deco movement Jules Leleu, very reminiscence of his famous ‘Feu d’artifice’ commode - fireworks commode. 

Literature

The identical commode / sideboard is pictured in Francoise Siriex book ‘Leleu Decorateurs Ensambliers’ Edition Monelle Hayot Paris - page 47.

Alos in Yvonne Brunhammer ‘Le Style 1925’ Editions Baschet Et Cie Paris p45.

Jules Leleu (1883-1961)

His family firm of Maison Leleu had existed since the eighteenth-century and he helped to guide it through much of the twentieth century. 

Leleu exhibited at the prestigious 1925 Exposition des Arts Decoratifs, winning a Grand Prize there and one of his pieces was purchased by the Metropolitan Museum in New York* (Acc.No. 46.93). He was also an active participant in the annual Salon D’Automne and Salon des Artistes Décorateurs. 

Leleu was a prolific ensemblier, with a large number of private and public clients including the French ocean liners, Ile-de-France, Atlantique, Normandie and France. Amongst other important commissions were a dining room for the Élysée Palace, and the Grand Salon des Ambassadeurs at La Societé des Nations in Geneva, named the Salon Leleu, which is still in existence today. His pieces are highly prized and can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Musée les Arts Décoratifs, and Collection Mobilier National in Paris which holds over one hundred of his pieces.

Leleu is celebrated for his conception of refined furniture forms and precision craftsmanship. His furniture is generally spare and sleek. He made significant use of opulent materials that were a keynote of haute Art Deco design and favoured the use of woods with warm tones, such as amboyna, Macassar ebony and palisander all of which imparted richness and elegance. He had his own distinctive and sophisticated style, often sober and reflective of traditional French furniture design, but also modern in line and use of materials and always in excellent taste. 

This beautiful haute Art Deco piece would make a stunning statement piece in any contemporary home.

SALES

The highlight of Jules Leleu sales has to be the Grande Commode, constructed in shagreen, mahogany and gilt bronze which realised 198,750 Euros at Sotheby’s Paris, 24 November 2010.