A Louis XVI Gilt-Bronze Mounted Amaranth and Bois Satiné Commode, Stamped J.F. Leleu JME, Circa 1780

Jean-François Leleu (1729-1807) was one of the most distinguished Parisian ébénistes of the latter part of the 18th century. Leleu completed his apprenticeship in the workshop of the renowned ébéniste Jean-François Oeben. He left the workshop after his death as the workshop went to Riesener and became master in 1764. He quickly established himself on his own and soon counted Louis XV, the king of France, the king's mistress Madame du Barry, and the Prince de Condé among his clients.

This commode reflects the strong, masculine and architectural neoclassical forms favored by Leleu.