The Chaise Tout Bois is Jean Prouvé’s only all-wood chair design, created in 1941 when wartime metal shortages prompted a rethinking of materials. Closely related to his well-known Standard chair, it replaces the steel frame with solid wood while retaining the same distinctive construction logic. The rear legs and backrest support are shaped to distribute weight effectively where the body exerts the most pressure, a principle central to Prouvé’s architectural and industrial work. This thoughtful approach gives the chair its characteristic silhouette and lasting structural integrity.

Prouvé developed several prototypes during the war years, experimenting with wood types, joint details and angles to optimise strength and comfort. Once oak became available again post-war, it was chosen for its excellent durability, long favoured in French shipbuilding and cathedral frameworks. The final version of Chaise Tout Bois uses solid oak and moulded plywood, with a natural or dark-stained finish. True to Prouvé’s ethic, the construction is screw-free, relying instead on a precise system of slots and joinery that makes the chair both elegant and robust.

The design was recognised in 1947 with a prize in the 'Meubles de France' competition, which sought attractive, functional furniture for post-war living. Today, Vitra faithfully produces this version from 1941, keeping Prouvé’s original dimensions intact. The result is a warm, tactile piece that still meets modern ergonomic standards. Choose from natural oak or dark-stained oak to suit your space, and own a quiet but powerful piece of 20th-century design history.