The Chaise Tout Bois Vitra Chair is an exceptional testimony to the mastery of the 'constructeur' and designer Jean Prouvé. Unique in its kind, the Chaise Tout Bois Vitra Chair is the only chair Prouvé made entirely of wood, a material and creative response to the shortage of metal during the difficult years of World War II. The design echoes the spirit of the famous Standard Chair, but is distinguished by the integrity and continuity of the wood.
The attention to detail is evident in the conformation of the frame, which emphasises the point of structural improvement: the transition between seat and backrest, the fulcrum of the human anatomical load. The profile of the back of the frame harmonises functionality and aesthetics, a distinctive Prouvé trait that reveals itself as much in his furniture as in his architectural works.
More than just prototypes of the chair were conceived by Prouvé to ensure superior structural strength, paying particular attention to the joints and positioning of the legs, as well as the connection between the seat and backrest; all of which contribute to the solid integrity of the design without the need for a single screw.
With the return to post-war availability of oak, a material known for its hardness and strength and commonly used in France in structural areas such as shipbuilding and cathedral roofing, Jean Prouvé selected this wood for the production of the Vitra Chaise Tout Bois chair. The oak wood, combined with plywood, and the possibility of choosing dark coloured finishes, responded to a customer demand for customisation as well as practical elegance.
Awarded in 1947 during the 'Meubles de France' competition, the Vitra Chaise Tout Bois chair was much more than a simple piece of furniture; it expressed itself as a democratic, quality solution for the needs of an era under reconstruction, aiming for replicable and affordable industrial design. Today, this chair, with its height and geometry matched to that of the Standard Chair, remains a remarkable specimen, offering the same comfort in a form that combines the warmth and captivating feel of wood with the practicality and solidity typical of Prouvé's functional approach. Available in light or dark stained oak, the Vitra Chaise Tout Bois Chair is a timeless design choice that celebrates history and resilience through the inherent elegance of wood.
