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Jean Prouvé Furniture

French, 1901-1984

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 Prouvé is an appreciation of human decency.

Find antique Jean Prouvé chairs, tables, chaise longues and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Jean Prouvé
Dealer: Galerie Clement Cividino Ent
Jean Prouvé - Studal set de 4 panneaux hublots
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare ensemble / set de 4 bac auto-portant hublots Jean Prouvé pour Studal . 1960 - Bâtiment technique de Saint Egrève chaque panneu mesure 55 x 120 cm soit l'ensemble commeprésenté...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Jean Prouvé - panneau bâtiment Saint Egrève 1960
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare panneaux "plein double face Jean Prouvé pour Studal . 1960 - Bâtiment technique de Saint Egrève Bon état général Plus d'informations sur demande
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

jean Prouvé kitchen extractor 1972
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Hotte de cuisine réalisé par jean Prouvé pour l'ameublement du refuge du Col de La Vanoise en 1972. Démontée par nos soins sur place lors du démontage des bâtiments . Bon état géné...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Metal

Jean Prouvé - panneau bâtiment Saint Egrève 1960
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare panneaux "plein double face Jean Prouvé pour Studal . 1960 - Bâtiment technique de Saint Egrève Bon état général Plus d'informations sur demande
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

Jean Prouvé - panneaux façade Saint Egrève 1960
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare panneaux "fenêtre" double face Jean Prouvé pour Studal . 1960 - Bâtiment technique de Saint Egrève Bon état général - a nettoyer Plus d'informations sur demande
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Aluminum

1972. Charlotte Perriand Storages Boxes
By Charlotte Perriand, Guy Rey-Millet, Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Storage boxes designed by Charlotte Perriand, jean Prouvé and Guy Rey-Millet for the mountain refugee "La Vanoise" French alpes. see pictures. Set include 10 boxes. 6 boxes...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Pine

1956. Cabinet by Raymond Camus Et Jean Prouvé
By Raymond Camus, Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Pièce unique , réalisée par l'architecte Raymond Camus en 1956 pour le prototype de maison Marabout . Fabriqué par les Ateliers Jean Prouvé à Maxéville - Nancy . Plus d'informati...
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

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Mastercraft Brass and Metal Freestanding Fireplace, circa 1970s
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Previously Available Items
Jean Prouvé - panneaux façade Saint Egrève 1960
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare panneaux "plein double face Jean Prouvé pour Studal . 1960 - Bâtiment technique de Saint Egrève Bon état général - a nettoyer Plus d'informations sur demande
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1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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1954. Charlotte Perriand Le Mans
By Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Perpignan, FR
Cupboard Charlotte Perriand from city Le Mans (Building "Le courboulay") door and authentic system, mounting box made by a cabinet maker doors are in compressed wood of the time 1950...
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1954. Charlotte Perriand Le Mans
1954. Charlotte Perriand Le Mans
H 57.09 in W 80.71 in D 17.72 in
1954 Charlotte Perriand Sideboard
By Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Perpignan, FR
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1954 Charlotte Perriand Sideboard
1954 Charlotte Perriand Sideboard
H 63 in W 17.72 in D 116.15 in
1972, Jean Prouvé & Charlotte Perriand Door
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
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1972, Jean Prouvé & Charlotte Perriand Door
1972, Jean Prouvé & Charlotte Perriand Door
H 98.43 in W 47.25 in D 1.97 in
1958, Marabout House by Raymond Camus & Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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1952, Jean Prouvé Set 22 Plans Architecture
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Very rare set of 22 documents from 1952 about school building made by Jean Prouvé. Some similar draws are in the collection of Museum Pompidou in Paris. ref. school city Dieuloua...
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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Paper

1952, Jean Prouvé Set 22 Plans Architecture
1952, Jean Prouvé Set 22 Plans Architecture
H 11.82 in W 14.18 in D 11.82 in
Jean Prouvé, Fauteuil Kangourou Vitra Limited Edition
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare armchair. Model Kangourou designed by jean Prouvé in 1948. Only 150 units produced by vitra. Limited edition. This one have the number 142....
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1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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1930, Jea Prouvé, Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
In perfect new conditions.
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1930s French Bauhaus Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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1930, Jea Prouvé, Vitra
1930, Jea Prouvé, Vitra
H 33.08 in W 26.78 in D 37.41 in
Jean Prouvé Mid-Century Modern Red Upholstered Standard Chair, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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Charlotte Perriand Booklet Print
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Authentic Booklet print of the "storage" of Charlotte Perriand Published in 1956. Printed on the front in black on transparent paper. In good original condition, with minor w...
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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Paper

Charlotte Perriand Booklet Print
Charlotte Perriand Booklet Print
H 10.63 in W 8.27 in D 0.4 in
Jean Prouvé Desk
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Made in 1948. Original / authentic Jean Prouvé desk. Model called "aile d'avion" Top restored by a cabinetmaker. Structure in green lacquered folded...
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1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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Metal

Jean Prouvé Desk
Jean Prouvé Desk
H 29.53 in W 62.8 in L 29.53 in
Set of 4 Jean Prouvé Chairs, Vauconsant
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Perpignan, FR
Set of 4 Jean Prouvé chairs, circa 1941 of the establishments Vauconsant de Saint Nicolas de Port. Documentation: Peter Sulzer "Vol. 2 Jean Prouvé ...
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1940s French Vintage Jean Prouvé Furniture

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Set of 4 Jean Prouvé Chairs, Vauconsant
Set of 4 Jean Prouvé Chairs, Vauconsant
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 18.51 in

Jean Prouvé furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jean Prouvé furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jean Prouvé furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 96 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 11 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Jean Prouvé were created in the mid-century modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by André Sornay, Joseph-André Motte, and Pierre Guariche. Prices for Jean Prouvé furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $754 and can go as high as $1,078,195, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,900.
Questions About Jean Prouvé Furniture
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024
    The standard seat height depends on the type of seating in question. For seating at dining tables, the average seat height is 17 to 23 inches, while the typical seat height for desk chairs ranges from 16 to 21 inches. Seat heights for sofas and loveseats are usually around 17 to 18 inches. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of seating from some of the world's top dealers.

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