Magnificent and Luxurious Antique Round French Art Deco Rug by Leleu, Country of Origin / Rug Type: French Rug, Circa Date: 1920 This exquisite round antique French art deco rug by Jules Leleu radiates soft soothing warm colors and rich natural tones from its center. Jules Leleu was a French furniture designer who lived and worked in the early half of the 20th century. He came from a long line of French designers who specialized in classic French Provincial furniture. Unlike his predecessors, Jules specialized in art Deco design pieces and later his work evolved into mid century modern. This antique French rug is an excellent example of his work that brings the influence of print French provincial design into the Art Deco world.
French provincial design depends on ornate, complex scroll work. Art Deco kept the essence of the scroll work and reduced it to its simplest form. This magnificent round rug has several iconic Art Deco elements. The striped radiating circle in the middle, the diamond shapes, and the simple scroll work border are classic Deco design elements. The use of subdued colors with a splash of red to bring them out is also in keeping with Art Deco conventions of design. The colors of this breathtakingly beautiful antique round French art Deco rug blend well with just enough red accent for an unexpected artistic touch.
This French antique round art Deco rug looks soft and touchable with a lush and luxurious wool pile. The scrolls use subtle shading to give them depth. The design is formal in that it features motifs that are at regularly spaced intervals in outwardly radiating concentric circles. This formality is softened by the roundness of the rug itself and the designs within it. Using square diamonds and sharp lines add contrast to the overall geometry of the rug.
This antique round French art Deco rug is an excellent example of French art Deco design by one of the masters of that time. It would go well in any retro art Deco, modern, Bauhaus or Scandinavian design that requires simple shapes and attention to line and form. This is a beautiful art Deco rug that will work in almost any interior decor.