Item Description
There is a particular tension in the work of Jean Prouvé—a dialogue between the engineer’s uncompromising logic and a quiet, almost sensual elegance. The Fauteuil de Salon, conceived in 1939, embodies this duality with absolute clarity. A machine for sitting, yes, but one possessed of a soul. This example, manufactured by Vitra in 2025, is not merely a faithful re-edition. It is a singular object, born from a special commission for the reception area of a major fashion house. The configuration speaks the language of couture: the generous seat and sculpted backrest are upholstered in a luminous ivory-pearl Nubia fabric, a textile chosen for its rich hand and subtle, almost iridescent depth. It is a material that invites touch, a soft counterpoint to the assertive, black enameled steel frame that Prouvé designed with such purposeful clarity. The contrast is superbly judged. The dark, glossy structure—a hallmark of Prouvé’s architectural vocabulary—cradles the pale upholstery like a shadow setting a pearl. Warm walnut armrests, shaped with ergonomic precision, punctuate the composition, offering a tactile bridge between the cool enamel and the plush fabric. The silhouette remains iconic: the generous, welcoming proportions, the splayed, confident rear legs that bear the load with visible integrity, and that sense of lightness that Prouvé, the blacksmith’s son, wrestled from sheet metal and resolve. Brand new and unmarked by use, this chair was specified with a level of care that a private collector rarely encounters. The production label discreetly affixed to the underside confirms its authentic Vitra manufacture. It arrives as a pristine object, ready to anchor an interior with its history and its quiet, commanding presence. For the collector who understands that the most radical modernism can also be the most refined—a chair that has waited over eight decades to find its perfect material expression. Brand new, never used. Upholstery, frame, and armrests are immaculate. Retains original Vitra label at the underside. Creator: Jean Prouvé (Designer), Vitra (Manufacturer) Year of Design: 1939 Year of Production: 2025 Materials: Black Enameled Steel, Walnut, Nubia Fabric in Ivory/Pearl Markings: Vitra production label at the bottom.
