A pioneer of modernism in France, Charlotte Perriand was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century design and architecture. In her long career, Perriand’s aesthetic grammar constantly evolved, moving from the tubular steel furniture of the Machine Age to a lyrical naturalism that is reflected in her enduring designs for chairs, sconces, daybeds and other works.
Perriand’s studies at the Ecole de L'Union Centrale de Arts Decoratifs left her enthralled by Charles-Édouard "Le Corbusier" Jeanneret and his vision of a new, rational architecture. In 1924, she joined his studio to design furniture along with Pierre Jeanneret, Corbu’s partner and cousin.
Together, they devised some of the finest examples of early modernist furniture, including two icons of the era: the B306 chaise — later renamed the LC4 — with its swooping frame and hide upholstery; and the chunky, steel-framed Grand Confort club chair. Both pieces were part of the LC line, which saw the trio of designers carrying out bold experiments with tubular chromed steel, just as architect and Bauhaus faculty member Marcel Breuer had executed with his cantilever Cesca chair around the same time. (Furniture created by Perriand, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret was originally produced by Austrian manufacturer Thonet but Italian firm Cassina acquired the production and sales rights to their works in 1964.)
Collaborative design produced another Perriand triumph: in the early 1950s, she and Jean Prouvé were engaged to produce desks, worktables and bookcases for the University of Paris. The bookcases — slim pine shelves with brightly painted aluminum dividers — are minimalist mid-century masterpieces.
By the end of that decade, Perriand’s aesthetic had changed completely from the earliest days of her career. She produced a series of furniture in ebonized wood: chairs with gentle S-curve legs, front and back; tables with elliptical tops. In the 1960s, Perriand pushed the boundaries of prefab to produce high-quality housing and furnishings at low cost for the French ski resort Les Arcs. She also adopted an almost rustic look at the time, designing simple chairs with dowel-cut frames and rush seats.
Everything in Perriand’s oeuvre is beautiful, whether it’s the centerpiece of a décor or an accent, and her work is in every great design collection, public and private.
The vintage Charlotte Perriand furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes stools, coffee tables, case pieces, lighting and more.
Charlotte Perriand La Cachette Lounge Chairs, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in the 1960s by Charlotte Perriand, the La Cachette chairs combine sleek modern lines with a sense of comfort. Their sculptural form and refined materials make them timeless...
Fabric, Wood, Oak
Rush Easy Chair
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Houston, TX
Easy chair in the style of Charlotte Perriand. The wood and rush are in great vintage condition. Wood is oak with a warm patina. A sculptural and organic piece.
Rush, Wood
$32,240 / item
H 24 in W 23.5 in D 26 in
Model No. 21 Armchair by Charlotte Perriand, Oak & Rush, 1930s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A study in proportion and material harmony, the Model No. 21 Armchair by Charlotte Perriand exemplifies her modernist ethos. With its clean lines, solid oak wood frame, and woven sea...
Rush, Oak
$23,349 / set
H 27.56 in W 25.2 in D 31.5 in
Lounge Chairs, Early Aalto Production for Stylclair, France, 1930s
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
These exceptional lounge chairs belong to the early period of Alvar Aalto’s bentwood production in France. In the early 1930s, Aalto’s curved plywood designs began circulating across...
Rope, Wood, Bentwood
Folding Lounge Chairs by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway, 1960s
By Ingmar Relling, Westnofa Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Woven Folding Lounge Chairs by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa, Norway, 1960s.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood
$4,169
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 16.93 in
Chaise Meribel by Charlotte Perriand, French Design, Circa 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
An icon of the most renowned French designer of the 20th century, the inimitable Charlotte Perriand. The first prototypes of this chair were designed during the designer's time in J...
Rush, Wood
$880
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 33.47 in
Niels Eilersen Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Peter Ole Schionning, 1970
By Niels Eilersen
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This rare model is in excellent condition. The pinewood frame shows barely any signs of wear, and the brown fabric upholstery is also in perfect condition. Light canvas covers are st...
Pine
$3,950 / set
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 37.41 in
Minimalist Solid Pine Lounge Chairs from Ibiza, Spain, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Almelo, NL
Minimalist Solid Pine Lounge Chairs from Ibiza, Spain, 1960s This exquisite set of two lounge chairs, initially crafted in the vibrant 1960s Ibiza, Spain, embodies the essence of mi...
Fabric, Pine
$13,900 / set
H 28.75 in W 23.6 in D 30.75 in
French Designer, Lounge Chairs, Oak, Fabric, France, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of solid oak and beige fabric lounge chairs or slipper chairs, designed and produced in France, c. 1970s. Seat Height (inches): 15" All items ship from High Point, North Car...
Fabric, Oak
$5,003 / set
H 30.71 in W 26.38 in D 33.86 in
Minimalistic Mid-century Modern Lounge Chairs in Natural Wood, Italy, 1970s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Minimalistic Mid-century Modern armchairs designed in the 1970s, sourced in Italy. These lounge chairs have been designed to have a calming and inviting presence, the perfect item to sit back, relax and unwind. They combine craft and simplicity to create a comfortable and timeless piece. The chairs aren't only beautiful to look at, but they also offer a tactile experience as well, thanks to the natural solid wood and the luscious feather-filled cushions. We have chosen a texturized beige/greige fabric to enhance this feeling even more. The chairs are also incredibly comfortable, thanks to the plush seat and back cushion. With their airy and minimal aesthetic, the lounge chairs are perfect for boho, minimal, contemporary, mid-century modern, minimalistic, Scandinavian design interiors. The cushions have been reupholstered by a skilled craftsman in a high-quality Belgian fabric...
Wood, Pine, Jute, Cotton, Oak
Daybed by Charlotte Perriand for Méribel Les Allues, France, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Antwerp, BE
Daybed designed by Charlotte Perriand in the 1950s for the chalets of Méribel Les Allues, France. This piece of furniture is a testament to Perriand's timeless design ethos, combinin...
Wood, Pine
Kangaroo Chairs PJ-SI-59 by Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, 1955
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kangaroo chairs designed by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh’s General Hospital Hall, crafted from solid teak and intricately braided cane. These iconic chairs became integral to the ...
Cane, Teak
Italian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs, Wood & Canvas, Circa 1960
Located in Antwerp, BE
Italian architectural lounge chairs from the 1960s crafted with a wooden frame and slings reupholstered in off-white canvas. These unique pieces with geometric designs featuring tria...
Canvas, Wood
Ombra Lounge Chair by Charlotte Perriand for Cassina, Italy, 2004
By Charlotte Perriand, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ombra lounge chair, designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1953 and relaunched by Cassina in 2004. Cassina lounge chair, featuring a steel frame and leather upholstery. The interplay betw...
Steel
Armless Easy Chair by Pierre Jeanneret rattan, teak & wood, Chandigarh, 1960s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Antwerp, BE
Armless Easy Chair by Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, Le Corbusier, 1960s This iconic low chair, known as "Armless easy chair", was created for the c...
Rattan, Wood, Teak
Lounge Chair by Maison Regain, France, 1970s
By Maison Regain
Located in Antwerp, BE
Maison Regain's iconic chaise longue, crafted in France during the 1970s from solid wood, accompanied by a luxurious bouclé head cushion for added comfort and style. This piece trans...
Wood
