The architect Pierre Guariche was one of the leading modern furniture and lighting designers of postwar France. Guariche can, in some ways, be thought of as the French version of Charles Eames: with his lean and angular chairs and slender, sculptural table lamps, he helped introduce a new aesthetic to the country’s interiors — and he was an eager pioneer in the use of new industrial materials and production techniques that emerged in the 1950s.
Guariche studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris (the national design academy) under René Gabriel — a designer known for his quality, mass-produced furnishings, who served as a director of the postwar Ministry of Reconstruction. Two years after graduating in 1949, Guariche opened his own design firm, and he was soon creating pieces for numerous companies, including the lighting manufacturer Disderot.
Wood and metal were rationed in the years following the war and Guariche learned to do more with less. His chairs of the early 1950s include several designs with narrow, softly angular wooden frames; others, like the Tonneau chair, feature a single piece of molded plywood set atop metal legs. His lamps of the period are likely his best-known works. They include delicate compositions of slender steel tubes, and more flamboyant pieces such as the Kite lamp, with its curved metal reflector panel.
Always on the lookout for new materials, Guariche spent several years in the mid-1950s operating a firm making furniture in fiberglass and other plastics, along with Joseph André Motte and others. After 1957 — when Guariche was named head of design for the Belgian company Meurop and given a brief to create stylish, up-to-date chairs and cabinets — he began to look to America for ideas.
In the mid-1960s, Guariche produced several lines of deeply upholstered, rounded lounge chairs inspired by the Space Age look, and gave them names like Jupiter, Polaris and Luna. While Guariche always kept pace with his times, throughout his career he showed a consistent talent for producing elegant, eye-catching forms using a minimum of materials.
Find vintage Pierre Guariche furniture today on 1stDibs.
A Set of Six White Fiberglass Pierre Guariche "Coquillage" Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Dronten, NL
For the discerning collector and the design connoisseur, we are proud to present an exceptional set of six "Coquillage" (Shell) chairs by the legendary French designer Pierre Guarich...
Steel
Pierre Guariche Tonneau Dining Chairs in Stevie Howell "Reach" Fabric, Set of 6
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
From Artsy: Designer and architect Pierre Guariche was an important voice in the modernist movement of post-war France. Guariche is perhaps best known for his work with the Belgian firm Meurop, where he designed high-quality affordable furniture, specializing in chairs and multi-Directional, articulated lighting. His laminated plywood Tonneau chair (1954) for Steiner is a Classic of the era. We love this set. We wanted something modern and black and white to complement the simplicity of the Tonneau's shape and the black lacquer. Stevie Howell...
Bentwood
Rare Pair of Pierre Guariche Tulip 'Tulipe' Cast Aluminium Chairs, 1950s, France
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of original Pierre Guariche cast aluminium Tulip / Tulipe chairs, dating from the 1950s. Extremely nice examples in very good original condition. Natural imperfections ...
Aluminum, Iron
Cast Aluminum Tulipe Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, Set of 4
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint Paul, MN
A standard of French design, the Tulipe chair by Pierre Guariche has been a rising star and is approaching the desirability of his contemporaries' designs....
Aluminum
Rare Pierre Guariche Tulip 'Tulipe' Aluminium Chair, 1950s, France
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare original Pierre Guariche cast aluminum Tulip / Tulipe chair, dating from the 1950s. A super example in very good original, vintage condition. Can be polished up brighter if d...
Aluminum, Iron
Pierre Guariche for Meurop Set of Six 'Coquillage' Dining Chairs
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Meurop, set of six chairs in yellow and blue plastic, model 'Coquillage', Belgium, 1960s. These chairs were designer by Pierre Guariche for Meurop and titled 'Co...
Metal
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous fiberglass chair by Pierre Guariche. Cream fiberglass frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautiful design. Great standalone piece. Fantastic piece of ...
Iron
Set of 4 Pierre Guariche Aluminum Chairs, 1950s France
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous set of 4 aluminum chairs by Pierre Guariche. Cast aluminum frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautifully minimal design. Extremely rare. The non conv...
Aluminum, Iron
Set of 5 Cognac Leather 'Tonneau' Chairs by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This rare set comprises five 'Tonneau' chairs, originally designed by the renowned French designer Pierre Guariche in the early 1950s. The chairs feature elegantly molded plywood sea...
Metal
Set of Five Dining Room Chairs designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, Belgium
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of five mid-century dining chairs designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in Belgium, 1950's. Featured in a black lacquered tubular metal frame with original upholstery in faux le...
Metal
Pierre Guariche for Meurop Set of Three 'Coquillage' Dining Chairs, 1960
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful set of three 'Coquillage' chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, Belgium, 1960s, seats made of light gray plastic, frames made of black lacquered metal
Metal
Red dining chair by Pierre Guariche, Belgium, 1980s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Elegant dining chair by Pierre Guariche, featuring a softly curved upholstered seat and slender black metal legs. A refined example of French mid-century modern design, combining com...
Metal
Dining Chair by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This mid-century dining chairs were designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in Belgium, circa the 1960's. They feature black tubular metal fr...
Metal
Pierre Guariche Dining Chair for Meurop, 1960s
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Mid-century dining chairs designed by French designer Pierre Guariche for Belgian furniture maker Meurop in 1960s. Upholstery and black painted metal legs...
Metal
Set of Six Baby Pink "Shell" Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Six beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of Furniture Industry in the 1960s. They are after full renovation upholstery and carpentry....
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Tonneau Guariche Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bent plywood chairs in original condition from the 1950s missing their original upholstery Located in Brooklyn.
Plywood
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous fiberglass chair by Pierre Guariche. Cream fiberglass frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautiful design. Great standalone piece. Fantastic piece of ...
Iron
1950s Cast Aluminum Dining Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Pierre Guariche's work has risen in popularity as reissues bring light to his magnificent body of work. The Tulipe Chair is one such piece that has become popular despite it being us...
Aluminum
$2,800
H 29.14 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN "Tonneau" CHAIR by PIERRE GUARICHE, STEINER, France 1950
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in PARIS, FR
A single and real iconic chair : the Modernist, Free Form, Mid-Century-Modern, Reconstruction, "Tonneau" chair in its finest aluminium version : 4 legs in black lacquered tubular met...
Metal, Aluminum
Set of Six Finn Juhl Dining Chairs for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1953 by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, the Model 109 and 59 dining chairs are a rare design. This rosewood set featuring two armchairs and four side chairs has been...
Leather, Upholstery, Rosewood
$2,350 / item
H 33.86 in W 17.52 in D 20.08 in
8 Fine French 1950s Beech Dining Chairs (priced per chair)
Located in Long Island City, NY
Eight fine French Mid-Century solid beech side chairs with a cross shaped cut out handle in the seat back. Minimum purchase is 2 chairs.
Beech
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Beech Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French mid-century beech dining chairs.
Beech
Set of Six Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs
By A. J. Iversen, Ole Wanscher
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of six dining chairs by Ole Wanscher. Executed by A. J. Iversen for Illums Bolighus. Rosewood and light colored leather.
Upholstery, Rosewood
$7,000 / set
H 28 in W 18.25 in D 19 in
Pierre Guariche Cast Aluminum Pair of Tulip Chairs Steiner France circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of cast aluminum Tulip chairs or also known as Tonneau by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1954. Sculpted and curved cast aluminum seat with an opening on the seat on sleek ...
Aluminum
$1,800Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 32 in W 19.5 in D 20 in
Set of 4 Chrome Dining Chairs by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Co.
By Wolfgang Hoffmann
Located in Dallas, TX
Fabulous set of 4 vintage dining chairs by Wolfgang Hoffmann for Howell Co. Flat chromium plated steel frames support upholstered seats and bac...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
Set of Six Pierre Cardin Chrome Dining Chairs in Blue Velvet
Located in Dallas, TX
A stunning set of six Mid-Century Modern/ Regency styled Pierre Cardin design, dining chairs. Featuring plush cushioned new blue velvet upholster...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.93 in W 22.45 in D 18.9 in
Pierre Guariche for Meurop Set of Six 'Coquillage' Dining Chairs in Red
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Meurop, set of six 'Coquillage' dining chairs, lacquered steel, red propylene, France, 1960s. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995), a multi-talented French designer, int...
Steel
Pierre Guariche Set of Six Black Dining Chairs for Airborne
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, six dining chairs, black faux leather, metal, France, 1960s This set of six comfortable dining chairs features a thick, comfortable seat and back. The chairs are stamped Airborne and are designed by the French designer Pierre Guariche. The faux leather elements are connected to the metal black metal frame. The thin slender legs form a balanced contrast to the simplistic leather elements. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé Gabriel...
Metal
4x Vintage Tonneau Chairs Design By Pierre Guariche, 1980s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage Tonneau dining chairs designed by Pierre Guariche. The chairs are signed. Good overall condition with some age related wear. 1980s - France Dimensions: Height: 76cm Widt...
Metal
Set of (6) Modern Dining Chairs France, 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Culver City, CA
France, 1960 Set of 6 Pegasus chairs by Pierre Guariche, Originally created for Le Corbusier site and manufactured by Baumann, newly upholstered in Knoll...
Fabric, Teak
Set of 4 model 'M' armchairs by Pierre Guariche, 1960s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 mid century modern 'M' armchairs designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop. The chairs have a tubular metal frame and are upholstered in black leatherette or skai. (original u...
Metal
Sold
H 28.35 in W 18.12 in D 18.9 in
Pierre Guariche Tulip Chair, Cast Aluminum, Steiner Meubles, Paris, 1954
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Hitchin, England
A Pierre Guariche cast aluminium "Tulip" chair dating from the 1950s. With the metal being cast there is a rawness and imperfect finish to the seat that adds wonderful character. It...
Aluminum, Steel
Sold
H 28.35 in W 18.12 in D 18.9 in
Pierre Guariche Tulip Chair, Cast Aluminum, Steiner Meubles, Paris, 1954
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Hitchin, England
A Pierre Guariche cast aluminium "Tulip" chair dating from the 1950s. With the metal being cast there is a rawness and imperfect finish to the seat that adds wonderful character. It...
Aluminum, Steel
Rare Guariche Wood Dining Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Rare set of Pierre Guariche bentwood signature "Tonneau" chairs manufactured by Steiner, 1954. (1st series) Bentwood seats with wood legs and open back. Another slightly differen...
Wood, Bentwood
Sold
H 33.86 in W 18.51 in D 16.54 in
Set of 6 Pegase Chairs, by Pierre Guariche for Baumann, France, 60s
By Pierre Guariche, Baumann France
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Set of 6 "Pégase" chairs, by Pierre Guariche for Baumann, France, 1960 New fabric, almond green color.
Beech
Tonneau Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner ~ Set of 8
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in New York, NY
Set of 8 (eight) Tonneau chairs by Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) for Steiner. France, 1955. Featuring laminated plywood shell, seat of leather and legs of enameled metal. Stamped on...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 21.26 in
Pierre Guariche, Set of Four "4 Faces" Chairs for Les Huchers-Minvieille, 1959
By Les Huchers-Minvielle 1, Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Rare set of four chairs model "Quatre faces" designed by Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) and edited by Les Huchers-Minvieille, France, circa 1959. This model called "4 Faces" takes it...
Metal, Steel
Set of Five Pierre Guariche Chairs for Meurop, circa 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of five chairs designed by Pierre Guariche Manufactured for Meurop in Belgium, circa 1950. Iron frame with plastic seat and backrest. In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a nice patina. Guariche Pierre...
Iron