About Jules Leleu

Following his first exhibition in 1922 and throughout his career, Jules Leleu was considered to be one of the most talented designers of his time. He created furniture, furnishings (lamps, etc) and interiors for some of the greatest ocean liners, embassies and private residences from the 1920's through the 1950's. He contributed many works predominantly in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. Jules Emile Leleu, was born in Boulogne sue Mer/Pas de Caiais in 1883. Leleu studied under the influence of Academie of the Beaux in Boulogne sur Mer with Theophile Deman, at a private academy in Brussels. Leleu studied at the Ecole Jean Goujon in Paris with Secame and at the Ecole of the Appliques in Paris. In 1901 at age 28 he takes over, together with its brother Marcel Leleu, the parental paintings business and begins to work as interior designers. He creates in 1918 in Paris, his own studio for interior decoration. His furniture drafts of the 1920's and 1930's are manufactured in its Moebeltischierei in Boulogne. His furniture and designs were always of the highest quality and materials, never compromising on luxurious details and fine craftsmanship. Rare woods and precious materials such as ivory or mother-of-pearl were used to inlay pieces; silver or bronze to highlight a curve; fine Aubusson tapestries to dress a chair. He opens a Studio in 1924 in Paris, in the today's Avenue Franklin Roosevelt, new showrooms. His sketches of interior arrangements for more than twenty various product lines, under the Ile de France. He creates an intensive joint venture with the cooperation from various artists and friends, such as Edgar William, Brandt, Andre Lurcat, and Jean Dunand. In 1925 he displays at the Exposition Industrielle et Arts Decoratifs. After the Second World War, began to work on various sketches of lamps from brass bronze with glass beads or stones. Mr. Leleu died in Paris, France in 1961. With a career spanning some 60 years, Jules Leleu and his children, Andre and Paule, have left an incredible impression on the world of decorative arts.