Jean Prouve, "Compas" Desk
View Similar Items
Jean Prouve, "Compas" Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Jean Prouvé (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 77 in (195.58 cm)Depth: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU9947865681
Jean Prouvé
Engineer and metalsmith, self-taught designer and architect, manufacturer and teacher, Jean Prouvé was a key force in the evolution of 20th-century French design, introducing a style that combined economy of means and stylistic chic. Along with his frequent client and collaborator Le Corbusier and others, Prouvé, using his practical skills and his understanding of industrial materials, steered French modernism onto a path that fostered principled, democratic approaches to architecture and design.
Prouvé was born in Nancy, a city with a deep association with the decorative arts. (It is home, for example, to the famed Daum crystal manufactory.) His father, Victor Prouvé, was a ceramist and a friend and co-worker of such stars of the Art Nouveau era as glass artist Émile Gallé and furniture maker Louis Majorelle. Jean Prouvé apprenticed to a blacksmith, studied engineering, and produced ironwork for such greats of French modernism as the architect Robert Mallet-Stevens. In 1931, he opened the firm Atelier Prouvé. There, he perfected techniques in folded metal that resulted in his Standard chair (1934) and other designs aimed at institutions such as schools and hospitals.
During World War II, Prouvé was a member of the French Resistance, and his first postwar efforts were devoted to designing metal pre-fab housing for those left homeless by the conflict. In the 1950s, Prouvé would unite with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret (Le Corbusier’s cousin) on numerous design projects. In 1952, he and Perriand and artist Sonia Delaunay created pieces for the Cité Internationale Universitaire foundation in Paris, which included the colorful, segmented bookshelves that are likely Prouvé’s and Perriand’s best-known designs. The pair also collaborated on 1954’s Antony line of furniture, which again, like the works on 1stDibs, demonstrated a facility for combining material strength with lightness of form.
Prouvé spent his latter decades mostly as a teacher. His work has recently won new appreciation: in 2008 the hotelier Andre Balazs purchased at auction (hammer price: just under $5 million) the Maison Tropicale, a 1951 architectural prototype house that could be shipped flat-packed, and was meant for use by Air France employees in the Congo. Other current Prouvé collectors include Brad Pitt, Larry Gagosian, Martha Stewart and the fashion designer Marc Jacobs. The rediscovery of Jean Prouvé — given not only the aesthetic and practical power of his designs, but also the social conscience his work represents — marks one of the signal “good” aspects of collecting vintage 20th century design. An appreciation of Jean Prouvé is an appreciation of human decency.
- Jean Prouve BookLocated in New York, NYRare Jean Prouve book, Jousse /Seguin-Enrico Navarra, 1998. Perfect condition.Category
Late 20th Century French Books
MaterialsPaper
$2,000 - Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille BookLocated in New York, NYDeLorenzo 1950, Jean Prouve/Serge Mouille, 1985 exhibition catalog.Category
Antique 19th Century American Books
- Le Corbusier Desk / TableBy Le CorbusierLocated in New York, NYLe Corbusier table or desk, 1931-1932 Grey enameled metal and wood. All original. Provenance: Pavillon Suisse, Cite Universitaire, Paris.Category
20th Century French Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal
$30,000 - Pierre Jeanneret, 1959-61 Pigeonhole Desk in East Indian Rosewood and LeatherBy Pierre JeanneretLocated in New York, NYPierre Jeanneret, 1958 "Pigeonhole" office desk w/ bookcase in east indian rosewood with leather top Provenance: Secretary and Administrative Bui...Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Robert Venturi "Chippendale" Chair for KnollBy Robert Venturi, KnollLocated in New York, NYBlack laminate plywood, black leather seat. Six available.Category
Late 20th Century American Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pierre Jeanneret De-Mountable Daybed with Headrest, Circa 1956By Pierre JeanneretLocated in New York, NYPierre Jeanneret, De-mountable Daybed with Headrest in Stained Cedar Wood, Cotton Straps and Leather upholstery. Provenance: Commissioned for MLA Hostel and Flats, Private Residence...Category
20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Daybeds
MaterialsCedar
- Jean Prouvé, Cafétéria n°512 Table, a.k.a "Compas" Table, circa 1950By Jean ProuvéLocated in Paris, FRBent sheet steel and laminated wood top H. 68.5 x L. 130 x P. 70 cm H. 26.97 x L. 51.18 x D. 27.56 inches.Category
Vintage 1950s French Desks
MaterialsSteel
- Compas DeskBy DrugeotLocated in Courbevoie, FRLeaning against the wall, the COMPAS desk is ideal for small places. Simple lines, original design and still so functional: 2 removable flaps giving access...Category
2010s French Desks
MaterialsOak
$1,747 / item - Jean PROUVE - "Standard BS"Located in Saint ouen, FRJean PROUVE (1901-1984). "Standard BS" desk in folded and white lacquered sheet steel and oak suspended pedestals. Manufactured by the Jean Prouvé workshops around 1948. H: 74 cm - W...Category
Vintage 1940s Desks
MaterialsWood
$49,140 - Jean Prouvé, Bureau "Surveillant" Bois Métal Laqué Et Plateau Formica Noir 50'sBy Jean ProuvéLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRjean Prouvé (1901-1984, France) : Bureau " Surveillant" Rare modèle du bureau "surveillant : structure des pieds à section carré en métal laqué noir, caisson bois plaqué et plate...Category
Vintage 1950s French Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- Jean Pascaud Student Desk in oak 1930By Jean PascaudLocated in Encino, CAJean Pascaud (1903-1996) Jean PASCAUD Oak Student Desk, France 1930 Original oak student desk from the Cite Universitaire of Paris with two drawers. Measurements: H 29"1/2 x W 43"1/4...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Desks
MaterialsSuede, Oak
- Jean Prouvé, Coatrack, 1955By Jean ProuvéLocated in Paris, FRBent sheet steel, wood and aluminum H. 150 x L. 221.5 x P. 57.5 cm H. 59.06 x L. 87.2 x D. 22.64 inches Provenance: CNET, Cité technique, Cachan, France.Category
Mid-20th Century French Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
$45,864