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.
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
$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
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
Rene Prou French Forties pair of armchairs with original black patina
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Forties pair of armchairs by Rene Prou. These chairs are 24” wide x 23” deep x 32” high. They are in the original black patina and can be redone the same, patinated, or gilded...
Iron
Rene Prou French Forties pair of armchairs/club chairs
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Forties Art Deco pair of arm/club chairs by Rene Prou. 31” wide x 33” deep x 34” high. Documented. These chairs currently are in the form of restored, refinished frames. The f...
Wood
Rene Prou French Forties single armchair in forged iron w/ original gilt finish
By René Prou
Located in Philadelphia, PA
French Forties single armchair by Jacques Adnet in gilt forged iron. This chair is unrestored in the photos, and has the original gilt finish. The chair is 21” wide x 23” deep x 34” ...
Iron
$1,589Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 50.4 in W 27.96 in D 28.35 in
Beautiful Pair Of Victorian Carolean Open Armchairs
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this amazing pair of Victorian Carolean design open armchairs, the cresting rail pierced and carved with foliage over trailing grape vine and spiral turn...
Leather, Oak
$9,709 / set
H 31.5 in W 37.01 in D 34.65 in
Elegant Pair of French Art Deco Club Armchairs, 1935, New Upholstery
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant pair of French Art Deco Club Armchairs crafted in France in the 1930s. Very refined lines and sophisticated proportions that could remind us the work of French decorator Jacq...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$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
Pair of Antique French Art Deco Leather Club Armchairs.
Located in Sherborne, GB
A matching pair of French, art deco leather club armchairs, they are identical in shape and size, the only difference being that one is more caramel coloured than the other. These generous pair of antique leather club chairs...
Leather, Beech
Pair of Referenced Armchairs by Jean-Charles Moreux
By Jean-Charles Moreux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Perfectly proportioned pair of tall armchairs by renowned French 1940s furniture designer and interior decorator Jean-Charles Moreux. Perfect for a chic...
Muslin, Upholstery, Oak
$12,108 / set
H 36.03 in W 28.55 in D 33.47 in
René Gabriel Reconstruction French Midcentury Armchairs
By Rene Gabriel
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
Originally designed in 1946 by the renowned French designer René Gabriel, this pair of lounge chairs is a refined example of the post-war French reconstruction movement. With a focus...
Alpaca, Wood
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
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
Pair of Midcentury Maison Jean French Gilt Iron Armchairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Sublime pair of mid-century modern French iron lounge chairs or armchairs. The iconic chairs feature large iron frames decorated with lattice work on the back and arms. The whimsical...
Iron
Pair of 1940's Rene Gabriel Oak Armchairs
By Rene Gabriel
Located in North Miami, FL
An Iconic pair of French Art Deco armchairs, club or lounge chairs in classic French oak by René Gabriel upholstered in a loose back and seat cushion with linen fabric. The chairs f...
Fabric, Oak
René Prou Lounge Chairs circa 1930
By René Prou
Located in CA, CA
A beautiful pair of lounge chairs by René Prou circa 1930. Deep seats and very comfortable.
Upholstery
Pair of French Leather Club Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of French club chairs exemplifies the fauteuil club tradition that emerged in France during the interwar period, circa late 1920s–1930s, when comfort-driven seating was rei...
Leather, Mohair
Faux Shearling René Gabriel Oak Armchairs, France, 1950's
By Rene Gabriel
Located in New York, NY
Variant of the classic Gabriel loungers with distinctive joinery where the arms connects to the front legs. Freshly upholstered in faux shearling with contrasting piping. 30x27x27.5...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Ikat Regency Armchairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of handsome armchairs upholstered in an chevron ikat patterned fabric. Perfect as captain chairs in dining room or occasional chairs in the living room. The dimensions are 24.5&...
Fabric, Wood
$1,850 / set
H 33.25 in W 23 in D 24 in
French Pair of Directoire Style Armchairs with Incredible Patina c1900
Located in Highwood, IL
Matched pair of French Directoire Armchairs. Incredible finish, or should I say lack of finish, whatever you preference the patination is wo...
Hardwood, Upholstery
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
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 Armchairs
By René Prou
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Rene Prou armchairs, made of iron and upholstered. Green patina.
Iron
Pair of Wrought Iron Art Deco Chairs by René Prou, France, 1940s
By René Prou
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Chic and fun pair of Art Deco garden chairs by René Prou, with a yellow-painted wrought iron structure and newly-upholstered blue canvas seats, backs and armrests, with yellow piping.
Wrought Iron
Rare René Prou Armchair, France, 1940s
By René Prou
Located in New York, NY
Wrought iron chair by René Prou. New upholstery.
Pair of Armchairs by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The armchairs have been reupholsted
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
Sold
H 33.27 in W 19.69 in D 23.23 in
Rene Prou Chic Set of Four Chairs With Gold Leaf and Oxidized Iron
By René Prou
Located in New York, NY
Rene Pour chic set of 4 chairs with gold leaf and oxidized iron. Can be sold by pair.
Satin
Armchair by René Prou
By René Prou
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
In a Modernist Style
Steel