Jules Leleu (1883-1961)
Paris, circa 1925, with fine black variegated "Egyptian" marble top, burlwood veneered cabinet with central marquetry inlaid door, flanked by two short drawers over two cabinet doors, each set with bone escutcheon or finely carved bone pull with stylized bulls and rosettes, central marquetry in bone, mother of pearl, and ebony, bone inlaid skirt and foot cuffs, dovetailed drawers with mahogany linings, adjustable interior shelves, highly figured veneers throughout, paneled back, unsigned.
H. 36in., W. 51 in., D. 21 1/4 in.
Note: A nearly identical Leleu Cabinet with white marble top sold Sotheby's New York, June 1998 lot 205. The example offered here was illustrated in Interior Design Magazine, December 1991.
Provenance: Robert Metzger interiors, purchased 1987 for $30,000 (with copy of receipt); Private Collection, Brentwood, Tennessee
Condition: Good condition with scattered minor veneer cracks at laminations, other scattered flaws, some with areas of color retouch, small loss to bone piping at one side skirt and one rear foot cuff, marble top with one small repair at front corner, other light wear and scratches