Model 305 Métropole Standard Chair attributed to Jean Prouvé, France, 1952

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Fantastic Metropole 305 chair designed and manufactured by Jean Prouvé at the Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, 1951. The Metropole 305 … Read more Fantastic Metropole 305 chair designed and manufactured by Jean Prouvé at the Ateliers Jean Prouvé, France, 1951. The Metropole 305 represents an important and slightly earlier variation within Prouvé’s exploration of structural seating. The same fundamental principle is present: a clear and rational response to the forces acting upon a chair. The slender tubular steel front legs provide visual lightness, while the characteristic folded sheet steel rear legs absorb the majority of the load, creating a composition that is both technically efficient and visually compelling. In this version, the proportions feel slightly more compact and direct, reinforcing the utilitarian clarity that defines Prouvé’s work. The seat and backrest are executed in molded beech plywood and retain a beautifully preserved surface, complemented by the original painted metal frame. The combination of warm wood tones and the white structure creates a refined contrast, further emphasizing the architectural logic of the design. The visible fixings and straightforward assembly celebrate the industrial language central to Prouvé’s approach, where nothing is concealed and every element serves a purpose. This particular example stands out for its remarkably pure and untouched condition. The wood and paint finish have remained exceptionally well preserved, giving the chair a strong and authentic presence. It remains in a fully original, almost museal state, with only minor loss to parts of the original rubber feet, a detail often entirely absent in surviving examples and here still partially retained.

Produced in ca 1960 by Steph Simon, this model belongs to a pivotal moment in Prouvé’s career, just before the transition to larger-scale industrial production. It embodies the direct link between workshop-based experimentation and the later standardized models produced by external manufacturers. As such, the Metropole 305 can be seen as a more intimate and immediate expression of his ideas. Today, chairs from this early production phase are increasingly rare, particularly in such original condition. The Metropole 305 offers a nuanced and highly collectible alternative within Prouvé’s seating oeuvre, combining structural intelligence, material honesty, and a quiet yet powerful aesthetic presence. Literature: Jean Prouvé – Complete works Peter Sulzer Volume 3, 1944-1954. Pages 208-212 Jean Prouvé – Edition Galerie Patrick Seguin & Sonnabend Gallery, 2007. Pages 266-269 Jean Prouvé – Möbel/Furniture/Meubles – Taschen 1991. Pages 54-55 This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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