Jules Leleu

Numbered: 8.4860, Stenciled: Leleu

Considered in their time as meubles d’exception, these two single-door cabinets in tortoiseshell designed by Jules Leleu represent a landmark achievement of the French Art Deco. Classical in shape and expertly executed, these two cabinets were specifically created for two of Leleu’s most important Parisian clients.

The tortoiseshell, exceedingly rare, is placed in tiles on the exteriors of the cabinets. Imported from the French South Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the tortoiseshell is an extremely fine material, the presence of which makes these cabinets more than exceptional. The pairing of the jade and rock crystal accents with the tortoiseshell construction is truly unique. These differing elements were developed by the most skilled craftsmen of the time—Maison Bonnet for the tortoiseshell and Hervé Obligi for the stone.

The cabinet featuring the jade accents was created for French dye industrialist Mr. Schmitt, for his apartment on the Boulevard Suchet in Paris, and was probably delivered in 1963. The apartment’s aesthetic was pure Leleu—bright, brilliant lacquers and patinated metals. This remarkable cabinet was placed near the entrance, elevated in the typical style of Leleu presentation. It would have been the first thing a visitor saw upon entering. The renowned author and historian of Leleu, Françoise Siriex, refers to this cabinet in her monograph The House of Leleu: Classic French Style for a Modern World 1920-1973 as “the gem of the apartment.”

The other cabinet, featuring rock crystal, was created for M. Frilet, one of Leleu’s foremost clients, and was probably delivered in 1957. Frilet was so enthused with the work of Leleu (and that of Jules in particular) that he became an avid collector of Jules’ designs upon the patriarch’s death in 1961. What is truly intriguing about this cabinet is the visibility of the gilt bronze screws holding the rock crystal accents in place, making for a sophisticated and unique presentation. 

The design of these cabinets was duly recognized in its time. The one featuring rock crystal (or an identical, possibly from André’s personal collection) was used as a prop in the films En cas de malheur (U.S. title: Love is My Profession), 1958, and Le repos du guerrier (U.S. title: Love on a Pillow), 1962, both starring Brigitte Bardot.