JEAN PROUVÉ
Tropique no. 351 armchair, 1951
Air France building, Brazzaville,
Republic of Congo

Designed by JEAN PROUVÉ in 1951, the Tropique no. 351 armchair was made for Air France in Brazzaville.

In a post-war context of change and reconstruction, Air France began its conquest of air transport and in 1951 the Paris–Brazzaville route was inaugurated. With modernity as its keyword, the company called upon Jean Prouvé and Charlotte Perriand to design the interiors of its residence in Brazzaville – famously known as the “red building” – intended to accommodate the airline’s staff.

From this particular order emerged a series of iconic pieces, among them the Tropique no. 351 armchair.

Extremely modern, this armchair features a structure made of steel and aluminum tubing, covered with cotton canvas. Its seat, reinforced by a bent tube frame, is supported by crutches attached to the rear brace. This armchair, characterized by its curved and clean lines, also features wooden armrests. Produced from 1951 the Tropique no. 351 armchair appeared in the Steph Simon gallery catalog until 1956.