Its name references the table's two strikingly shaped legs made of sheet steel, which, together with the table top's broad edges bevelled outwards, emphasise the construction's solid appearance.
Jean Prouve was born into an artistic family in Nancy, France. Prouve trained as a metalsmith before attending engineering school in Nancy, and his intimate knowledge of metal remained the foundation of his work and career.
After opening his own workshop in 1923, Prouve began producing modern metal furniture of his own design as well as collaborating with some of the best-known French designers of the day, including Le Corbusier and Charlotte Perriand.