While Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and other Art Deco contemporaries like Pierre Chareau have been hailed as masters of 20th-century design, René Prou has undeservedly more or less fallen off the decorative-arts radar.
Prou was born in Nantes on July 14, 1887, and later trained at an industrial-design school, the École Bernard-Palissy in Paris, between 1902 and 1908. He started his career working for the interior design firms Gouffé and Schmit & Cie. At the latter, he was responsible for the decoration of the Paris residence of the ambassador of Paraguay. Prou began designing under his own name after World War I and never stopped.
Among other projects, Prou imagined a women’s boudoir and a girl’s bedroom for the prestigious French Embassy pavilion at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris — widely considered the start of the Art Deco period. Prou created vases for the Manufacture de Sèvres, a fireplace for the living room of the Villa Noailles and a tearoom at the Lido cabaret on the Champs-Elysées.
The designer was prolific. A promotional brochure for Prou’s eponymous design firm stated that he had designed 60 private residences and 30 banks between 1918 and 1930, and his career continued another 17 years after that.
Prou decorated some 500 train compartments — the most prestigious of which were for the Orient Express — and participated in the interior design of nine luxury ocean liners, including the Paris, the Île-de-France and the legendary Normandie. He was also extremely well connected. His friends included the Catalan painter Josep Maria Sert and fellow designer Louis Sognot; he collaborated on projects with Raymond Subes and Ivan da Silva Bruhns; and he went trout fishing in Normandy with Ruhlmann.
Prou was a devoted pedagogue, too, teaching more than 3,000 pupils at the École nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs over two decades, among them Charlotte Perriand and the postwar modernist designers Pierre Guariche and Alain Richard.
Prou’s output included sparks of innovation. He covered the floors of ocean liners with patchwork carpets made of linoleum, for example, and produced some strikingly modern-looking metal chairs. Yet much of his work was more traditional, regularly incorporating typical Art Deco geometric motifs and luxurious wood paneling. A book published in 2018 on Prou’s life and career has given new, and well-deserved, prominence to the influential designer.
Find vintage René Prou furniture on 1stDibs.
$4,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
A rare pair of Rene Prou wrought iron occasional chairs
By René Prou
Located in London, GB
A rare Art Deco pair of hand forged wrought iron occasional chairs designed uniquely by Rene Prou for the exquisite Claridge’s Hotel London . C1930s .
Iron
A Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs by René Prou France 1950's
By René Prou
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs by René Prou France 1950's. Elegant pair of low armchairs. Beautifully crafted solid iron. These chairs have always been kept outdoors and have be...
Iron
$15,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 14 René Prou Art Deco Gold Wrought Iron Dining Room Chairs Blue Fabric
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Superb set of Fourteenth Art Deco wrought iron dining chairs by René Prou in the 1940s style. The set consisting out of 12 side chairs and 2 arm chairs in gold powder-coated wrought...
Wrought Iron
$21,000 / set
Rene Prou Fine Set of Six Dining Chairs
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French 1940s Art Deco dining chairs, set of six by Rene Prou, in stained beech. These chairs could be ebonized. Please note these chairs are unrestored in the photographs. **PRICE includes proper restoration, refinishing and reupholstering with buyer supplied fabric. RENE PROU (1889-1948) A decorator as well as furniture designer, Rene Prou was born in Nantes and educated in Paris. He studied at the Ecole Bernard-Palissy in Paris and shortly thereafter joined the design house, Gouffé. By 1912 he had become their chief designer and was being called the first decorator of the modern taste (gout moderne). His varied design career included: 1922 oceanliner Paris 1922 – Paris to Deauville train (aka Train Bleu) 1923 – showed at the Salon des Artistes Decorateurs 1924 oceanliner de Grasse 1925 – with Eric...
Beech
Set of 6 Rene Prou wrought iron Dining Room Chairs
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 Rene Prou wrought iron high back chair . Heavy and sturdy.
Wrought Iron
$12,500 / set
Rene Prou Armchairs in Walnut, 2 Pairs
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Two pairs of French modernist Art Deco armchairs/pull-up chairs by Rene Prou, circa 1930 in French walnut. Model exhibited at 1929 Salon d’Automne and pictured in the book, Rene Prou...
Walnut
$13,500
Rene Prou single club chair
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco single club chair by Rene Prou, circa 1937, in sycamore. 28” wide x 32” deep x 34” high. Unrestored in the photos. RENE PROU (1889-1948) A decorator as well as fur...
Sycamore
Rene Prou Pair of Open-Sided Armchairs
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Art Deco pair of armchairs in stained beech by Rene Prou, circa 1935. Restored and newly upholstered. Measures: 21.5" wide x 26" deep x 32" high.
Beech
René Prou, 2 Art Deco Stools in Lacquered Wood and Blue Velvet, circa 1940-1950
By René Prou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Prou, 2 Art Deco stools in lacquered wood and blue velvet, circa 1940-1950. price is for one two are available
Velvet, Wood
$5,900Sale Price / set|40% Off
Rene Prou Art Deco Golden Wrought Iron Dining Room Chairs Black Vinyl Seats, 6
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Superb set of six Art Deco wrought iron dining chairs golden powder coated finish by rene prou in the 1940s style. The set contains 4 highbacked chairs...
Wrought Iron
$12,900 / set
Set of Rene Prou dining room Chairs and Armchairs
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 Chairs and 2 Armchairs by Rene Prou
Wrought Iron
$15,000 / set
René Prou Set of Six Dining Chairs in Beech
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French 1940s Art Deco dining chairs, set of six, in beech. Please note that these chairs are unrestored in the photographs.
Beech
Exceptional and Rare Rene Prou Wrought Iron Chair
By René Prou
Located in North Miami, FL
Exceptional and rare Rene Prou wrought iron chair with twisted work of iron as found condition.
Iron
$10,000 / set
Pair of 1930s René Prou Slipper Chairs
By René Prou
Located in New York, NY
These earthbound chairs appear to be weightless. Such is the illusion that the designer René Prou was able to create in 1930s Paris with the aid of a highly-skilled upholsterer. Befo...
Silk, Sycamore
1940's Gilt wrought iron stools by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1940's pair of gilt wrought iron stools by René Prou France
Wrought Iron
Pair of French Gilt Metal Scroll Side Chairs
By René Prou
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of French 1940s gilt metal side chairs with scroll design and upholstered with an inset diamond shaped back panel and seat in off white fabric (att: RENE PROU)
Fabric
Set of Six Rene Prou Art Deco Wrought Iron Dining Room Chairs Blue Fabric Seats
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Superb set of Six Art Deco Wrought Iron Dining Chairs by Rene Prou in the 1940s Style. Seat is covered in a Royal Blue Fabric. Measures: Seat Height: 17 inches.
Wrought Iron
Art Deco Pair of Lounge Chairs by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
This pair of Art Deco armchairs by René Prou represents the designer’s refined, curvilinear aesthetic and elegant sense of proportion, paired here with dramatic black lacquered wood ...
Rosewood
René Prou, Art Deco Chair in Lacquered Wood and Blue Velvet, circa 1940-1950
By René Prou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Prou, Art Deco chair in lacquered wood and blue velvet, circa 1940-1950.
Velvet, Wood
René Prou, Two Art Deco Armchairs in Lacquered Wood and Blue Velvet
By René Prou
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
René Prou, two Art Deco armchairs in lacquered wood and blue velvet, circa 1940-1950.
Velvet, Wood
Set of 4 French Art Deco Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
Set of 4 French Art Deco blackened wood dining chairs with a rosewood veneered back rest.
Wood
$2,595 / set
H 45 in W 17 in D 20 in
Giacometti Inspired Wrought Iron Chairs A Set of Bar Stool Dining Chairs
By Diego Giacometti, Alberto Giacometti
Located in Cumberland, RI
Giacometti inspired Wrought iron chairs A Set of 4 Bar Stool Dining Chairs In stock and read to ship is this set of four heavy iron garden chairs, coated with an exquisite aged pewt...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Rene Prou Attributed Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Forties Art Deco dining chairs attributed to Rene Prou, set of eight, in beech. These chairs can be ebonized. Please note these chairs are unrestored in the photographs.
Beech
René Prou Set of Six Dining Chairs in Beech
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French 1940s Art Deco dining chairs, set of six, in beech. Please note that these chairs are unrestored in the photographs.
Beech
$5,900Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 40 in W 16.75 in D 16 in
Rene Prou Art Deco Golden Wrought Iron Dining Room Chairs Black Vinyl Seats, 6
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Superb set of six Art Deco wrought iron dining chairs golden powder coated finish by rene prou in the 1940s style. The set contains 4 highbacked chairs...
Wrought Iron
$5,072 / set
H 36.62 in W 21.26 in D 23.23 in
Leather Dining Chairs Wrought Iron Set of 4 Vintage Spanish Curule Savonarola
Located in London, GB
An impressive and rare set of four forged wrought iron and saddle leather dining chairs in lovely vintage condition. Likely made in Spain the 1970s, these strikingly attractive chair...
Wrought Iron
Set of Six Dining Chairs
Located in London, England
Six French cherrywood dining chairs with drop in seats covered in velvet. Circa 1920. H 96cm (SH 50cm) x W 46cm x D 52.5cm
Velvet, Wood
Pair of French Oak Armchairs, France, 1950s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This refined pair of French armchairs from the 1950s showcases the understated elegance of mid-century design. Crafted from solid oak, the chairs feature beautifully sculpted armrest...
Straw, Oak
Set of Six Designer Dining Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
Set of Six Dining Chairs, two arm and four side chairs. Commercial grade. Arm chairs are 23.5" wide and 22.5" deep.
Fabric, Wood
Set of Six McGuire Dining Chairs
By McGuire
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a set of six dining chairs, two armchairs and four side chairs, each with its own chocolate brown seat cushion, by McGuire of San Francisco. The chairs’ design blends nat...
Leather, Upholstery, Bamboo, Rattan
Mid-Century Walnut Armchair
By Finn Juhl
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sculptural solid walnut and upholstered occasional chair after Finn Juhl. The chair has tapered legs, a subtly curved chair back and retains its original turquoise vinyl upholstery.
Walnut
Fine Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pair of armchairs features high, rounded backrests and C-shaped armrests. They stand on octagonal legs with leaf capitals and bases as well as sabre legs. The intricat...
Upholstery, Cherry, Fruitwood
A Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs by René Prou France 1950's
By René Prou
Located in HYÈRES, FR
A Pair of Neoclassical Armchairs by René Prou France 1950's. Elegant pair of low armchairs. Beautifully crafted solid iron. These chairs have always been kept outdoors and have be...
Iron
Rare Chairs by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare chairs by René Prou for Pierre Laborie-Labor Métal with original upholstery fabric by Helene Henry. Made in Paris, France circa 1931. From the collecti...
Steel
Rene Prou French Hand Wrought Iron Stool France c1940
By René Prou
Located in Chicago, IL
Rene Prou charming hand wrought iron stool with black patina. The curved feet are expertly formed and the seat is generous. Charming for a vanity stool or an entry. We have left the ...
Wrought Iron
Pair of René Prou Lounge Chairs
By René Prou
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in: France, c. 1940 Material: Velvet upholstery, beech Size: 36 W × 37 D × 45.5 H in seat height 16.5 inches.
Upholstery, Beech
René Prou '1889-1947', Set of Four Sofas, circa 1950, France
By René Prou
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
René Prou (1889-1947), set of four sofas, white lacquered iron, fabric and wood, circa 1950, France. Measures: Height: 63 cm, seat height: 50 cm, width: 1m23, depth: 67 cm.
Iron
Sold
H 37 in W 18 in D 22 in
Rene Prou French Mid-Century Modern Side Chair or Vanity Chair in Gilt Metal
By René Prou
Located in Astoria, NY
French Mid-Century Modern side chair or vanity chair in gilt metal, designed by Rene Prou. The piece was made during the mid-20th century and comes with the original upholstery. In g...
Metal
Rene Prou Side Chair
By René Prou
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rene Prou French wrought iron early side chair.
Iron
Pair of René Prou Verdigris Iron Chairs
By René Prou
Located in CA, CA
A pair of Rene Prou wrought iron chairs with a Verdigris patina. The backs have a decorative iron work scroll pattern of repeated form that rest on a subtlety turned ball foot and up...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 37.5 in W 16 in D 16.5 in
Rene Prou French Black Iron and Gilded Side Chairs With Lamp Shearling Seats
By René Prou
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of Rene Prou French, circa 1940s side chairs with all the characteristics of Prou. The chairs are of hand wrought iron with gold ball finials on the feet and on the top. A tru...
Iron
Pair of Art Deco Armchairs by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Montreal, QC
Elegant pair of upholstered and black lacquered wood bergères by René Prou upholstered in wool.
Rene Prou Side Chair
By René Prou
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant chair in sycamore designed in the 1940s.
Sycamore
Pair of René Prou Chairs, 1930s, Art Deco
By René Prou
Located in London, Park Royal
An original, pair of René Prou chairs, circa 1930s. Finished in the original Art Deco, dusky pink lacquer and upholstered in a complementary pale, she...
Wood, Lacquer