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.
Pair of Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Soho, London, GB
Pair of office chairs from the administrative offices of Chandigarh (PJ-SI-28-B).
Cane, Teak
$14,100 / set
H 30.32 in W 16.34 in D 18.9 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-25-A Pair of Chairs / Authentic Mid-Century Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
These items express a specific rawness. There is no need for precise execution or the desire to appear sophisticated. They are simple, self-evident, and direct. Made out of basic ele...
Cane, Teak
Pair of Pierre Jeanneret Easy Chairs
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Soho, London, GB
Pair of Easy Chairs from the administrative offices of Chandigarh (PJ-SI-29-A). The pair comprises two closely matching chairs, minor incongruities on the dimensions are due to the...
Cane, Teak
$18,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 19.75 in D 22.5 in
Pierre Jeanneret Armchairs from Chandigarh, pair, c. 1955
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in New York, NY
A pair of authentic arm chairs from Chandigarh deisgned by Pierre Jeanneret. Date of manufacture is between 1955-1960. These chairs are made of solid Burma teak with caned seats and ...
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 : "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 Pair of Mid-Century Office Armchairs
Located in London, GB
A pair of increasingly scarce original Pierre Jeanneret armchair desk chairs. A flexible chair that can be used at tables or as bedroom c...
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
$34,950 / set
H 27.17 in W 19.3 in D 23.63 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-35-A Easy Chair Pair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual ...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Office Chairs PJ-SI-28-A
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in San Francisco, CA
This pair of floating back office chairs were used throughout the decades in various administrative buildings in Chandigarh, India. The markings on the back indicate their last desig...
Cane, Teak
$18,850 / set
H 29.53 in W 20.87 in D 22.05 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-29-A Pair Easy Chairs / Authentic Mid-Century Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
Here we see a decision to project the universal ideals of modernity onto Indian reality. However, these pieces were inspired by North Indian culture, as well the cosmic and spiritua...
Cane, 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.
