Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table
Vitra Table EM Table

EM Table

$8,360

Made by Vitra

Designed by Jean Prouvé

Jean Prouvé designed the EM Table in the 1950s as part of his vision for the Maison Tropicale, a prefabricated structure that pushed the boundaries of what industrial construction could achieve. The table carries that ambition into the domestic interior without compromise.

Its steel base is defined by a distinctive crossbar that traces the actual flow of forces through the structure. This is engineering made visible, a gesture that is as compositional as it is functional. The powder-coated finish, available in Deep Black and Prouvé Blanc Ecru, preserves the material honesty of the original while meeting the demands of contemporary production.

  • Designed by Jean Prouvé, 1950s
  • Powder-coated steel base in Deep Black or Prouvé Blanc Ecru
  • Natural oak oiled top available for quick shipment
  • Suited to dining rooms, studios, and professional environments

Produced by Vitra under the stewardship of the Prouvé estate, this table holds a place in the longer history of modernist furniture, alongside works from the Cité chair to the Standard. It reads equally well in an archive-minded residence or a rigorously designed workspace.

Typically ships in 2-4 weeks.

Pairs well with

Product Details

Details
  • Designed by Jean Prouvé in 1950
  • Manufactured by Vitra
  • Tabletop material in solid natural oak with oiled finish
  • Base of bent sheet steel and tubular steel in 12 deep black powder-coated finish
  • Design emphasizes structural clarity through slanted legs connected by a stabilizing crossbar
  • Nicknamed “EM” for the French term Entretoise Métallique, referring to its metal bracing system
Measurements

H × W × D
29.12 × 78.75 × 35.5 inches
74 × 200 × 90.17 cm.

Shipping & Returns

Please refer to our shipping and return & exchange policy.

Warranty

Luminaire is an authorized retailer of Vitra. The product comes with a full manufacturer warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history behind the Vitra EM Table?

Jean Prouvé designed the EM Table in the 1950s in connection with his Maison Tropicale project, a prefabricated tropical dwelling that demonstrated his belief in industrialized, structurally expressive construction. Vitra later reissued the design in close collaboration with the Prouvé family, preserving the original proportions and fabrication logic.

What does the crossbar on the EM Table base represent?

The crossbar is a structural element that visually communicates how lateral forces are distributed through the base. Prouvé consistently made load-bearing logic a visible part of his aesthetic, and the EM Table base is one of the clearest examples of that philosophy in his furniture work.

What finish and top options are available for the EM Table?

The steel base is available in Deep Black and Prouvé Blanc Ecru powder-coated finishes. The quick-ship configuration pairs a natural oak oiled top with a Deep Black aluminum base; other top and finish combinations are available by inquiry.

Is the EM Table appropriate for a professional or contract setting?

Yes. The table's steel base construction and considered proportions make it well suited to studio, office, and hospitality environments, in addition to residential dining rooms. Its scale and material durability support heavy daily use.

How does the EM Table relate to Prouvé's broader body of work?

The EM Table shares design principles with some of Prouvé's most recognized pieces, including the Standard Chair and the Cité armchair, all of which treat structural necessity as the primary source of form. It is considered one of the canonical objects of mid-twentieth-century modernist furniture design.

Brand & Designer

Vitra
Wooden Dolls

Vitra

Vitra is a Swiss contemporary design and furniture brand, founded in 1950 by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum in Birsfelden, Switzerland.
Jean Prouvé
Lampe De Bureau

Jean Prouvé

A French designer and constructeur celebrated for structural clarity, industrial logic, and timeless furniture shaped by function, rigor, and innovation.