Escande Cabinet by Jean Zay

The "Escande cabinet" (or Escande furniture) is a mid-century modern storage piece from France, designed around 1954 for the Jean Zay University Campus in Antony (near Paris). Historical context. The Jean Zay University Campus (built in 1954-1955 by architect Eugène Beaudouin) was one of the largest university residences in Europe at the time, designed as a complete campus (housing, restaurants, library, etc.). A competition was launched for the furniture. Jean Prouvé (and his workshops) provided much of the furniture for the rooms, halls, and restaurants (including the famous Antony chair), in collaboration with Charlotte Perriand and others. Escande (a 20th-century French designer, often described as a protégé or student of Jean Prouvé) created this specific piece, manufactured by Marcel Yvroud. It was part of the equipment for the rooms or spaces of the residence (collection linked to the CROUS of the Versailles Academy). The style is heavily inspired by Prouvé: lightweight structure, industrial materials, and functional shapes. The furniture is in its original condition, with some interior shelves stained, the veneer on the top left corner damaged over 3-4 cm revealing the particle board underneath. The door at the bottom right functions well but has lost one of its metal hinges, replaced by a wooden dowel.