Press release : In the setting of a Cannes apartment, the 1950s spirit of Jules LELEU (1883-1961)

Cannes, in harmony with Jules LELEU (1883-1961)

As part of its traditional end-of-year sales, Besch Cannes Auction will be dispersing two major collections on December 30th, one of which is an exceptional testament to 20th-century French decorative art : the furniture from a Cannes apartment preserved in its original configuration, entirely designed and decorated on site by Jules Leleu (1883-1961).

This rare ensemble, which has remained in its original setting, now offers the opportunity to rediscover the harmony of an interior designed by one of France's greatest Art Deco decorators. Designed as a complete composition, the furniture—pedestal table, table, mirrors, sideboard, seating, and lighting—reflects the overall vision of Leleu, a master of clean lines and perfect balance. Each piece, designed for this specific apartment, interacts subtly with the others : measured proportions, noble materials, luminous simplicity. The ensemble forms a rare unity, faithful to the spirit of period decor and revealing a way of life that has now disappeared.

A major figure in Art Deco, Jules Leleu (1883-1961) developed an instantly recognizable style in 1920, based on pure lines, delicate proportions, and the refined use of noble materials—rosewood, maple, lacquer, and fine marquetry. His aesthetic combined modernity and luxurious simplicity, creating bright, elegant, and always perfectly balanced interiors. This mastery, combined with exceptional standards of craftsmanship, quickly attracted collectors and large commissions, seeking to combine prestige, modernity, and comfort. He participated in the Salon de la Société des Artistes Décorateurs and made his mark on the international scene by participating in the 1925 World's Fair, where his work was praised for its elegance and modernity.

Leleu was sought after for his impeccable taste, his ability to design a coherent whole—from furniture to fabrics—and for the reliability of his workshops, renowned throughout the world. His reputation, based on extremely high standards of quality and an integrated approach to design, earned him numerous international commissions. Private collectors and major institutions alike sought out his impeccable taste and sense of coherence. He was thus called upon for some of the most emblematic projects of his time : the great ocean liners Normandie, Île-de-France, and Pasteur, symbols of French prestige; the salons of the League of Nations in Geneva; the French Embassy in Washington; as well as vast private residences in Europe, America, and the Middle East.

These creations, which have become benchmarks in 20th-century decorative art, explain collectors' enduring attraction to his works, prized for their timeless elegance and exceptional quality, as evidenced by the furniture collection from this Cannes apartment, which was presented at the Hôtel Martinez in late December.

A rare example of an interior preserved in its original integrity, this sale offers the opportunity to acquire an authentic collection that reflects an era and a lifestyle that an exceptional designer was able to invent and impose.

December Tuesday 30th at 2.30pm : ARTS PASSION - Paintings, Sculptures, Decorative Arts - In the lounges of Hotel Martinez in Cannes, 73 Bd de la Croisette

For more information : Besch Cannes Auction : Tel : 33(0)4.93.99.33.49 – mail : besch@cannesauction.com

Press contact : Isabelle de Puysegur - Tel : 33(0)6 60 57 58 78 - i.puysegur@wanadoo.fr