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.
René Prou Gilt Wrought Iron and Painted Chair 1930s
By René Prou
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful chair by René Prou in gilt wrought-iron .. The backrest features interlacing scrolls in cream paint. The legs are curved and undulating. Documented in the book by Edition...
Wrought Iron
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
Set of 6 Art Deco Chairs & 2 Armchairs by René Prou, France, 1950
By René Prou
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 6 Chairs and 2 Armchairs by Rene Prou
Wrought Iron
A rare pair of Rene Prou iron chairs in zebra print velvet
By René Prou
Located in London, GB
An amazing pair of occasional chairs designed by the acclaimed architect and designer Rene Prou exclusively for the world famous claridge's Hotel in London. Design & Structure Fra...
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
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
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 Lounge Chairs by René Prou, Rosewood, Yellow Upholstery
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
$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
$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
$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
$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
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, Art Deco chair in lacquered wood and blue velvet, circa 1940-1950.
By René Prou
Located in Mouscron, WHT
René Prou, Art Deco chair in lacquered wood and blue velvet, circa 1940-1950.
Velvet, Wood
$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
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
$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
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
Spanish Hacienda Wrought Iron & Leather Counter Stools, 1960s
Located in Savannah, GA
A set of four spanish hacienda wrought iron and leather counter stools, 1960s. 17 inches wide by 23 inches deep by 41 inches tall; seat height 26 ¼ inches
Wrought Iron
1930s Thonet Chair, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- partly refurbished - some signs of use - sturdy and stable - Heigh of seat 48 cm
Wood
Vintage Boho Wrought Iron Scroll Dining Chairs - Set of 8
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite set of eight wrought iron dining chairs captures the sophisticated outdoor elegance of the French Riviera and classic Hollywood Regency style. Featuring graceful, cont...
Wrought Iron
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 Four French Art Deco chairs
Located in North Bergen, NJ
Stunning set of four French Art Deco chairs. Two of the chairs having arm rest while the other two are armless. Upholstered with floral design on the seat back and the seat. The wood...
Wood
$696Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in Dm 15.36 in
Taidetakomo Hakkarainen, 1930s wrought iron upholstered stool
By Taidetakomo Hakkarainen
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover the timeless charm of the Taidetakomo Hakkarainen 1930s wrought iron upholstered stool, a true masterpiece in Scandinavian Vintage Design. This elegant piece showcases refin...
Wrought Iron
$2,495 / set
H 40.5 in W 18.5 in D 18.5 in
Set of 4 Arthur Umanoff Grenada Collection Wrought Iron Dining Chairs, c. 1960's
By Arthur Umanoff
Located in Deland, FL
Stylish and iconic the Grenada collection, from circa 1964, is a favorite design of collectors by Arthur Umanoff. Constructed from wrought iron with Spanish influences in proportions and shapes these chairs are architecturally fascinating. The seats have new burnt orange crushed velvet...
Iron
$6,155 / set
H 18.12 in W 20.48 in D 15.36 in
Pair of Stools Gilt Wrought Iron by Pier Luigi Colli, Italy, 1950s
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of stools, poufs or ottomans by Pier Luigi Colli. Hammered gilt gold mat wrought iron, brass detail. Fully upholstered with mohair velvet fabric. Famous design like Maison Janse...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Brass
$3,798Sale Price / set|25% Off
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
Sold
H 36.03 in W 26.38 in D 20.87 in L 36.03 in
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
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
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
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