If his famed cousin and longtime colleague Charles-Édouard Jeanneret — better known as Le Corbusier — was the visionary, then Pierre Jeanneret was the member of the architecture and design team who got things done. In recent years, Jeanneret has emerged from Le Corbusier’s shadow, as collectors have discovered his simple and striking chairs, benches, coffee tables and other furniture creations.
Jeanneret studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva and after he graduated in 1921 he became a partner in Le Corbusier’s office in Paris. The pair collaborated on numerous residential projects, most notably the Villa Savoye, the iconic modernist house in suburban Paris completed in 1931.
Jeanneret also worked with the great Charlotte Perriand on the Grand Modele line of tubular metal furnishings that was a sensation at the annual Salon d’Automne design expo in 1929. A rift developed between Jeanneret and his cousin during World War II, as the former joined the French resistance, while Le Corbusier cooperated with the occupying authorities in Vichy. The two did not work together again until 1950, when Le Corbusier persuaded Jeanneret to help execute the master plan for the new city of Chandigarh in Punjab, India. Jeanneret lived and worked there until the final years of his life.
A hallmark of Jeanneret’s furniture designs is his great sensitivity to materials. In contrast to the tubular-steel chairs produced by Marcel Breuer and other members of the Bauhaus, the chromed metal pieces designed by Jeanneret and Perriand — including such as the now-classic LC4 chaise longue and the Grand Confort lounge chair — have a sensuous, relaxed and welcoming look. Conversely, while Jeanneret uses essentially geometric forms for his wooden seating pieces, they exude warmth by nature of the material.
One of Jeanneret’s first manufactured designs in wood is the Model 92 Scissors chair, licensed by Hans and Florence Knoll when they were touring postwar France. But Jeanneret’s finest work in furniture was done in Chandigarh, and these are the pieces that have earned him recent renown.
Crafted of teak, the Chandigarh designs range from low-slung lounge chairs and armchairs with cane seats to desks and tables, most with Jeanneret’s signature drafting compass-shaped legs. Many such pieces on the market today are refurbished, having been found by dealers languishing in scrapyards in India in the late 1990s. Chandigarh is now taking better care of its modernist heritage, making available Jeanneret works all the rarer.
Find authentic vintage Pierre Jeanneret chairs, case pieces, tables and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
Pierre Jeanneret Easy Chair, 1950s Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Distinguished Easy Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret in the 1950s. Originally created for the city of Chandigarh, India - Pierre's intricate designs have become beloved worldwide. S...
Upholstery, Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret X-Leg Sofa in Cowhide, 1950s Chandigargh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning teak sofa fully reupholstered in beige cowhide designed by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigargh. Rectangular seat resting on two compass type side legs. New cushions. Sofas were...
Cane, Teak, Cowhide
Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs, 1950s Chandigargh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic collection of Pierre Jeanneret office chairs. Model PJ-0101-6S. Solid teak chairs with compass style legs, cane seat, and cane seat back. Slanted, slightly curved backrest. Hand stenciling on the back of both chairs reads : "P.U. chem - 48" and "P.U. chem - 49" respectively. These chairs came directly from India, and have never hit the open market for sale. Stenciling on each chair designating the location of the chairs in Chandigarh. Made for the university housing in Sector 14. Have all photos from before and after careful restoration. Restoration performed by artisans in India that specialize in Pierre Jeanneret. New cushions. Last 2 images on the listing are pre restoration. Seat height without cushion: 18" 4 chairs available. Priced individually. Jeanneret Chandigargh Book - Jacques Dworczak...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs, 1950s Chandigargh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic collection of Pierre Jeanneret office chairs. Model PJ-0101-6S. Solid teak chairs with compass style legs, cane seat, and cane seat back. Slanted, slightly curved backrest. Hand stenciling on the back of both chairs reads : ASM, (L) -006 and ASM, (L) - 004 respectively. These chairs came directly from India, and have never hit the open market for sale. Stenciling on each chair designating the location of the chairs in Chandigarh. Made for the university housing in Sector 14. Have all photos from before and after careful restoration. Restoration performed by artisans in India that specialize in Pierre Jeanneret. New cushions. Last 4 images on the listing are pre restoration. Seat height without cushion: 18" 4 chairs available. Priced individually. Jeanneret Chandigargh Book - Jacques Dworczak...
Cane, Teak
Jacques Adnet Leather Armchair, 1950s France
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare leather and iron armchair by French designer Jacques Adnet. Entire chair is wrapped in handstitched leather. Brass capped feet and brass hardware detailing on chair backs. Seat ...
Iron
Pair of Pierre Jeanneret Floating Back V-Leg Office Chairs, 1950s Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous pair of Pierre Jeanneret office chairs designed in the 1950s. These chairs have a floating back and V-leg frame. Pictur...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret , Committee Chair for Chandigarh, PJ-SI-30-C, Circa 1950, India
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Pierre Jeanneret , Committee Chair for Chandigarh, PJ-SI-30-C, Circa 1950, India "PJ-SI-30-C" Committee Chair for Chandigarh. Teak structure, upholstered with fur. CON...
Fur, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Chair in Cowhide
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Jeanneret Chair in Cowhide.
Cowhide, Rosewood
Office Armchair by Pierre Jeanneret, India, 1960s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Pierre Jeanneret office chair, Chandigarh. Solid wood frame with characteristic V-shaped legs and open armrests. A sculptural and functional working chair representative of Jeannere...
Wood
Pierre Jeanneret, Authentic Rare Lounge Chair, Chandigarh, 1956
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Amsterdam, NL
This authentic Pierre Jeanneret rare easy chair, known as the PJ-Rare-Chair, epitomizes the beauty of his Chandigarh creations, with only a handful in e...
Cane, Teak
Mid-Century Lounge Chair in Style of Pierre Jeanneret in Cowhide, c. 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Hønefoss, 30
A beautiful Mid-Century lounge chair produced in Norway, c 1950s, in the style of Pierre Jeanneret. Solid wood frame with a straightforward, structural design typical of the period. ...
Cowhide, Beech
Pierre Jeanneret, PJ-SI-30-C, Committee Armchair, Chandigarh, circa 1955
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-30-C Committee Armchair, circa 1955. Solid teak. Vintage leather. Original condition, marks, patina. Various administrative buildings. Chandigarh India I...
Leather, Teak
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The Antwerp-based designer lends his unique touch to homes, boutiques and offices in Belgium, the United States and Germany, as well as furniture for B&B Italia and Molteni.
