French Deco Rug by Paule Leleu BB8228 8'3" × 11'5" $26,000

A wonderful example an Art Deco rug by Jules Leleu (1883-1961), a French furniture and carpet designer. Signed Leleu, in the lower right corner, this is one of the more restrained vintage rugs designed by Leleu. While it has the typical Leleu diamond motifs, the grid-like allover pattern on an open field makes it one of the more minimalist and formal of Leleu’s rugs. The rug is rendered in green, red, beige, gray, camel, taupe and ivory.

Art Deco is a style of visual arts, architecture and design that first appeared in France just before World War I. The Art Deco movement led to a fast evolution of the rug and textile design, among other art forms. Rug design evolved from traditional floral and highly ornamental to a style of angular elegance with geometric, abstract and modern figurative motifs. The design is frequently spare, geometric, and architectural. The rugs created during this period remain elegant and refined to this day.