Most people don’t contemplate how a chair was engineered before they sit in it — they simply trust that it will support them. But the overtly utilitarian Standard chair confronts potential sitters with its design, demonstrating in a forthright manner the engineering that renders it possible for a chair to bear weight.
For a traditional chair with four legs, such as the aptly titled Standard chair, it’s the back two legs that carry the most stress. Its designer, Jean Prouvé (1901–84) demonstrates this concept through the piece’s visually robust, fin-shaped rear legs and its slim, tubular steel front counterparts.
The largely self-taught French architect, born in Paris to visual artist Victor Prouvé and pianist Marie Duhamel, was surrounded by the arts from an early age: His parents’ social circle in his adopted hometown of Nancy included furniture designer Louis Majorelle and glass artist Emile Gallé. The elder Prouvé cofounded an artist collective called École de Nancy (“the Nancy School”), a group that championed a connection between art and industry. The younger Prouvé was highly influenced by the aesthetics and ideals of the collective.
Prouvé went on to study at the city’s school of fine arts as a teenager, served as an apprentice to a blacksmith and then joined a metal workshop in Paris. In 1923, he opened his own workshop, where he focused on wrought-iron elements such as railings and lamps but also dabbled in furniture design. He continued to explore a merging of art, industry and society in his work, and during the interwar period and throughout World War II, Prouvé turned his attention to social projects made possible by mass production, designing bicycles, stoves and affordable prefabricated structures that served as army barracks, housing for refugees and even vacation homes.
It was during this period in 1934 that Prouvé designed the Standard chair for the University of Nancy, using tubular and sheet steel for the legs and wood for the seat and backrest. He more often thought of himself as an engineer rather than an architect or designer — a sentiment shared by Le Corbusier, a client of Prouvé’s who regarded him as a constructeur, a “builder.” Le Corbusier was just one renowned architect who Prouvé worked with over the course of his career; he also collaborated with furniture makers Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret as well as artist Alexander Calder, resolving design problems with straightforward solutions. Today the Standard chair is produced by Vitra.
Pair of French Mid Century Dark Grey Wooden Metropole 305 Chairs by Jean Prouvé
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and iconic pair of French mid century "Metropole 305 / standard chairs" by Jean Prouvé in the not often seen grey lacquered metal frames and dark stained plywood seats an...
Metal
Jean Prouvé Chaise mod. Standard dite "Tout Bois", France 1941
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Jean PROUVÉ (1901 -1984) - Chaise standard dite "Tout Bois" SOLID WOOD AND PLYWOOD "TOUT BOIS" CHAIR BY JEAN PROUVE - 1941 H : 82 cm W: 41 cm D: 52 ...
Oak, Plywood
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Japanese Red for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Glendale, CA
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Natural Oak and Japanese Red for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designe...
Steel
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Blue Metal for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Glendale, CA
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Natural Oak and Blue Metal for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designed ...
Steel
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Deep Black for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Glendale, CA
Jean Prouvé 'Standard' chair in Natural Oak and Deep Black for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designe...
Steel
Authentic Jean Prouvé Metropole "305 / Standard Chair" in Metal & Plywood 1950s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare "Standard Chair / Metropole 305" in black painted metal and plywood by Jean Prouvé produced by Ateliers Jean Prouvé, 1950s. In good condition with beautiful patina. Dimensions...
Metal
Pair of French Mid Century Tout Bois Wooden Dining Chairs by Jean Prouvé, 1940s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare pair of French mid century wooden "Tout Bois" dining chairs in stained ash and molded plywood seats and backrests by Jean Prouvé produced by Ateliers Jean Prouvé in France, 1940...
Ash
French Mid Century Aluminum Brise Soleil Sun Shutter Panel by Jean Prouvé 1950s
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare and iconic French architectural mid century aluminum sun shutter / brise soleil by Jean Prouvé with an original chain mechanism inside the gold aluminum frame. In great ori...
Aluminum
Jean Prouve Standard Chair in Japanese Red
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1934, this chair had three prototypes before finally coming to this version No. 4. This version and any afterward were then known as the "Standard" chair. This chair beca...
Steel
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair Vitra G-Star RAW, Design Limited Edition 2011
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Krefeld, DE
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair, Vitra × G-Star RAW, limited edition, 2011. In 2011, G-Star RAW collaborated with Vitra to create the Prouvé RAW collection — a reinterpretation of 18 of P...
Steel
n°306 Standard Chair 'Cream' by Jean Prouve, France, Circa 1952
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Jean Prouve. Crafted in plywood, faux leather, steel.
Steel
Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) Grand Repos armchair (creation 1930) Tecta ed., c.1985
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Paris, FR
Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) Grand Repos armchair (creation 1930) Tecta edition, Germany, circa 1985 Chrome-plated steel, sheet steel, dark blue and blue leather, plastic castors. Adjust...
Metal
Jean Prouve 306 Métropole standard chair France 1951
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
An enduring icon of mid-century industrial design, the ‘Metropole 306,’ also known as the “Standard Chair,” was conceived by the pioneering Jean Prouvé and produced by Ateliers Jean ...
Metal
Jean Prouvé, Pair of Standard Chairs, model 306, circa 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Pair of original "semi-metal" Standard chairs, model 306, designed by Jean Prouvé, and dating from around 1950. Constructed from plywood with the original ribbed vinyl covering and...
Metal, Enamel
Jean Prouve 'Demountable' Wood Chair Model cb 22 c. 1950
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean Prouve 'Demountable' Wood Chair Model CB 22 c. 1950. Designed in 1947 and manufactured by Atelier Jean Prouvé until the studio’s closure in 1953. Solid wood, molded plywood, a...
Aluminum
$1,460 / item
H 32.25 in W 16.5 in D 19.25 in
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Natural Oak and Gray Metal for Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Glendale, CA
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in natural oak and gray metal for Vitra. The Standard chair is an early masterpiece by the French designer and engineer Jean Prouvé. Originally designed ...
Steel
$3,350
H 34.65 in W 19.69 in D 26.38 in
Jean Prouvé “Antony” Chair — Limited Edition, Red Frame / Plywood Seat
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
A rare limited-edition example of the iconic Antony Chair, originally designed in 1954 by Jean Prouvé and produced by Vitra. This sculptural piece is celebrated for its striking bala...
Steel
$2,200
H 38.98 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
Italian Alberto Meda Office Chair for Vitra in Red Leather 1990
By Vitra, Alberto Meda
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Red Leather and aluminium adjstable office chair by Alberto Meda for Vitra 1990 Perfect working condition.
Aluminum
$395
H 31.5 in W 21 in D 19.5 in
Mid-Century Jean Prouve Style Dark Espresso Toned Industrial Stacking Chairs
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Prouve style, Mid-Century, wenge toned industrial stacking chairs with attractive compass base, dark charcoal enameled metal frame and ingeniously interlocking legs that can create r...
Metal
$1,360 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Jean Prouvé Tabouret Solvay / Bois Stool in Solid Natural Walnut by Vitra
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Amsterdam, NL
The Tabouret Bois (Solvay) is designed by Jean Prouvé and manufactured by Vitra. The design of the Tabouret Bois clearly bears the signature of Jean Prou...
Metal
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair, Blé Vert Green and Walnut
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
The classic standard chair was originally designed by Jean Prouvé in 1934. This beautiful example is made in walnut with a blé vert (green) enameled steel frame. Marked with label. ...
Steel
$6,800
H 17.72 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Prouvé Raw Tabouret 307 Stool by Jean Prouvé and G Star Raw for Vitra
By G-Star RAW, Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Limited edition Tabouret 307, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1951. Reissued for the Vitra x G Star Raw collaboration in 2011. Produced in limited quantities, th...
Metal
$2,800 / set
H 31 in W 28 in D 29 in
Matched Pair of French Modernist Lounge Chairs in Red Mohair Jean Prouve Style
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Buffalo, NY
Elegance meets industrial. Pair of lounge chairs, metal frames, walnut arm rests and stunning red mohair seat and back. Extremely comfortable, superior quality and construction, amaz...
Metal
$4,667
H 17.72 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair Vitra G-Star RAW, Design Limited Edition 2011
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Krefeld, DE
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair, Vitra × G-Star RAW, limited edition, 2011. In 2011, G-Star RAW collaborated with Vitra to create the Prouvé RAW collection — a reinterpretation of 18 of P...
Steel
Jean Prouvé “SCAL” Daybed for Atelier Jean Prouvé, 1940
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Jean Prouvé “SCAL” Daybed for Atelier Jean Prouvé, France, 1940 Designed in 1940 by Jean Prouvé for Atelier Jean Prouvé, the “SCAL” daybed is a rare example of the designer’s early ...
Metal
$9,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.5 in W 20 in D 26.5 in
Jean Prouvé Antony Chairs, 2002 Vitra edition. with original tags, Set of 2
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Denver, CO
These chairs are a very sought after set of Antony Chairs originally designed in 1950 by French Architect Jean Prouvé, released via license by Vitra USA on behalf of the Prouvé famil...
Steel
$7,950
H 32.68 in W 25.6 in D 23.63 in
Jean Prouvé for Vitra x G-Star Fauteuil Direction Rare First Edition, #224
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
When authenticity, scarcity, and industrial poetry intersect, you get the Fauteuil Direction — and this is no ordinary example. Limited Edition Fauteuil Direction, originally design...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 19.3 in
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair Limited RAW Steel and Natural Oak by Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
The classic standard chair was originally designed by Jean Prouvé in 1934. This is the desirable Vitra limited RAW edition, in natural oak with a clear lacquered steel (metal brut) f...
Steel
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair, Metropole No.305, 1950s Original
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair, known as model Metropole N. 305 Red painted folded and tubular steel structure with beech plywood back and dished seat, manufactured by the Ateliers Jea...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 16.15 in D 18.12 in
Jean Prouvé Metropole 305 / Standard Chair - 1950s with Laffanour provenance
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
Jean Prouvé Métropole 305 Standard Chair, 1950s Iconic Mid-Century French Design – édition noire This Métropole 305 Standard Chair by Jean Prouvé is a p...
Metal
Prouvé Round Table & Set of 3 Standard Chairs
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Cambridge, US
Germany, ca. 2016. A contemporary edition of Jean Prouvé's Guéridon Table with a set of three of his Standard Chairs by Vitra. Originally designed for the University of Paris in 1949...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 16.15 in D 18.12 in
Jean Prouvé Metropole 305 / Standard Chair - 1950s Alzueta Provenance
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Knokke-Heist, BE
Jean Prouvé Métropole 305 Standard Chair, 1950s Iconic Mid-Century French Design – édition noire This Métropole 305 Standard Chair by Jean Prouvé is a p...
Metal
Sold
H 32 in W 16.5 in D 19.25 in
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair in Dark Oak w Deep Black Powder Coated Steel Vitra
By Vitra, Jean Prouvé
Located in Hudson, NY
Like new Vitra standard chair in Dark Oak/ deep black. Jean Prouvé always strove for the most efficient designs, evident in classics such as his ...
Steel
Sold
H 31.89 in W 16.54 in D 18.12 in
Original Metropole Standard Chair No 305 by Jean Prouvé France 1955
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Aachen, NW
Authentic Metropole standard chair model 305 by Jean Prouvé. The chair features a black metal painted base. The backrest and seting are made by Plywood. An absolute iconic piece mad...
Metal
Prouve for Vitra Standard Chair/ 3 available!
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jean Prouve Standard Chair designed originally in 1934 and later produced by Vitra. Three Chairs available! Priced individually! These chairs date to about 2000, at some point the...
Metal
Sold
H 32.09 in W 16.34 in D 18.51 in
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair, model 305, from the CEA, Marcoule, authentic c.1954
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Wargrave, Berkshire
Jean Prouvé, Standard Chair, model 305, from the CEA Building at Marcoule which was a pioneering nuclear facility in France Blue painted steel structure with plywood back and dished...
Steel
Set of Four Standard SP Chairs by Jean Prouvé from Vitra
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four Standard SP Chairs by Jean Prouvé from Vitra This set of four SP (Siege en Plastique) chairs feature vert-colored powder-coated sheet and tubu...
Steel
Jean Prouvé Standard Chair
By Jean Prouvé
Located in Dronten, NL
The classic standard chair was originally designed by Jean Prouvé in 1934. This beautiful example is made in walnut with a black enameled steel frame. Marked with label. Jean Prouvé...
Steel
Jean Prouve Standard Chairs for Vitra - Set of Three
By Jean Prouvé, Vitra
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three Standard chairs with white lacquered seats and backs on a black lacquered steel frame by Jean Prouve for Vitra. The wood seats and backrests look to have been re-lacqu...
Metal
