The History of Palm Wood in Western Furniture Design
The Art Deco movement, which began in Paris in 1925, profoundly influenced creative disciplines ranging from architecture and transportation to furniture design. It also ushered in a period of innovation in materials, both natural and man-made. Among these, palm wood emerged as an exciting new option, championed by one of the era’s most influential furniture designers, Eugène Printz (1889–1948).
Today, contemporary furniture makers continue to explore the potential of palm wood, drawing inspiration from the Art Deco movement and pushing the boundaries of modern design. With nearly a century of history in Western furniture design, the following images showcase the versatility of this vibrant, sustainable, and still rare tropical material, offering inspiration for future possibilities.
Architect Albert Laprade 1883-1978
Furniture Eugene Printz
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Private Collection/Bridgeman Images)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
(Courtesy of Sotheby’s)
This video with expanded images and history of the Art Deco Movement starting with the 1925 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris, offers a little more taste of the period and palm’s place in this history. We hope that this will lead you to explore further the works of Eugene Printz, Pierre Chareau, Clement Rousseau, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Robert Mallet-Stevens, Jean Dunand and many others of this period and consider creating a master piece of your own from sustainable Durapalm.
