Rating and value of Jean Prouvé furniture, chairs and desks

French architect and designer Jean Prouvé (1901-1984) left his mark on his time through his ironwork. His work exerts a significant influence on the representation of design techniques in terms of design and architecture.

If you own a work created by the artist Jean Prouvé or based on his work and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will guide you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Artist's rating and value

By the 1920s, Jean Prouvé was making a name for himself on the art market. Since then, his value has continued to rise. Jean Prouvé has established himself as a sure thing on the international art market. Highly prized by collectors, Prouvé chairs and armchairs are the most popular on the market, especially rare models such as the "no.4" or the "Grand Confort" armchair. As a result, a piece of Jean Prouvé furniture can fetch millions of euros at auction, as evidenced by the S.A.M n°506 table, bid for over a million euros at Sotheby's in 2021.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The life of Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé was born in Paris on April 8, 1901. He soon abandoned his studies to become an apprentice to an ironmonger in Enghien. In 1924, he founded a workshop in Nancy and created the Reclining Chair. Jean Prouvé creates ironwork for hotels, Parisian stores and private mansions.

A few years later, Jean Prouvé leaves traditional ironwork behind and turns to architecture and design. He began designing furniture and houses, collaborating with Eugène Beaudouin on the construction of the Maison du Peuple de Clichy, considered a precursor of modern architecture.

After the Liberation, Jean Prouvé became mayor of Nancy between 1946 and 1947 and expanded his workshops. He concentrated on building lighter housing. The architect then received several large commissions, including university residences in Nancy and Antony.

Jean Prouvé is the originator of the Tabouret composed of a post and a beam, as well as the reticular roof. These two major construction methods are realized in collaboration.

In the 60s and 70s, the architect works with various architects on prestigious projects such as the CNIT and the Nobel Tower at La Défense in Paris. He uses aluminum to design the MuMa, Musée d'Art Moderne André Malraux in Le Havre.

Jean Prouvé receives praise for his contribution to the structure of the Palais omnisports de Paris-Bercy and the Ouessant radar tower. He is also president of the jury for the Centre national d'art et de culture competition and chairs the Cercle d'études architecturales from 1971 to 1977.

The architect's creations and style

Jean Prouvé is a great advocate of industrial production. In particular, he used sheet metal parts to make furniture. As an architect, he applied the principles of industrial design to the creation of modular forms in his constructions. Throughout his career, Jean Prouvé experimented with new materials, techniques and components, demonstrating his desire to integrate buildings harmoniously with their environment.

Jean Prouvé created a wide variety of furniture using materials such as steel, lacquered metal, oak and plywood. His creations include chairs, benches, tables, desks and sideboards.

Prouvé developed two main styles. The first style, called "school", features chairs with a metal frame and wooden seat, reminiscent of school chairs. These pieces combine wooden elements with a metal support painted in bright colors. The second, more modern style features imposing, structured pieces, often in dark colors. Desks, for example, are generally angled and painted black or entirely in metal. 

Expertise your property 

If you own a work by Jean Prouvé, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Jean Prouvé work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each piece.