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 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
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 ...
Aluminum
Pair of Pierre Guariche Yellow Fiberglass Side Chairs by Steiner - France 1950's
By Pierre Guariche, Siege Steiner
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of yellow fiberglass side chairs by Pierre Guariche in good vintage. These "tonneau" chaped chairs are iconic Guariche pieces and epitomize his series of compact barrel sha...
Steel
Pierre Guariche SK660 Armchairs in Cream Bouclé, France 1960’s
By Siege Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
Editions Steiner. Black lacquered feet. Freshly reupholstered in crème white bouclé by Bisson Bruneel. Brass necks at the junction of armrests and back.
Brass, Steel
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
‘Tulip’ Chair by Pierre Guariche for Maison du Monde, France, 2000s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed in 1953 by pioneering French designer Pierre Guariche, the iconic Tulip chair stands as a milestone of French mid-century modernism. Originally produced by Steiner, this par...
Metal
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
Black Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche, Wood, Vintage Design, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brussels, BE
Black Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche, 1950s
Wood
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
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
Pierre Guariche Cast Aluminium Tulipe Seat for Steiner with original fabric 1953
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Stunning cast aluminum chair with their original orange fabric, extremely rare chair with their original fabric. In 1951 Guariche began to collaborate with Steiner, another major f...
Aluminum
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
French Design Aluminum Tonneau Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Renens, CH
A set of four cast aluminium Tonneau chairs designed by Pierre Guariche in the 1950s. Each chair has a curved shell seat resting on a black painted metal base. The raw finish of the ...
Aluminum
Six “Tonneau” chairs by Pierre Guariche, Editions Steiner, France, circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Paris, FR
Six “Tonneau” chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner in 1954. Molded plywood shell, birch veneer, black moleskin cover, black lacquered metal base. Biography: Pierre Guaric...
Metal
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Tonneau chair by pierre guariche from the 60s in solid wood
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Tonneau’ chair from the 60s by French designer Pierre Guariche. All-wood model in moulded plywood. Very good vintage condition with a beautiful patina. The chair shows signs of age a...
Wood
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
P. Guariche for Meurop, 1960s Coquillage Chair
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Coquillage side chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in the early 1960s. The shell is made of grey perforated propylene, the base of black lacquered metal. The chair ...
Metal
Papyrus Chair by Pierre Guariche, France, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Designed in the 1950s by the influential French modernist Pierre Guariche and manufactured by Steiner, the "Papyrus" chair (Model G10) is an icon of mid-century French design. Its ha...
Metal
Set of six Pierre Guariche “Tonneau” chairs produced by Steiner in the 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in MADRID, ES
Set of six Pierre Guariche “Tonneau” chairs produced by Steiner in the 1950s. Original model made of plywood. Length: 48 cm Depth: 45 cm Seat...
Wood, Plywood
$890Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Design Robin Chair Set by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1950's
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mid-Century Modern design Robin dining chair set of 2 by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, made in Belgium late 1950's. All original purple fabric on seat on black metal frame base...
Metal
Dining Chair for Meurop by Pierre Guariche
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
1960s / Belgium Size W410 D480 H820 SH460 mm Dining chair designed by Pierre Guariche and manufactured by Meurop. The seating has been reupholstered.
Steel
Pierre Guariche Dining Chair for Meurop, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
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
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
Chairs by Pierre Chapo for Maison Regain
By Pierre Chapo
Located in MADRID, ES
4 chairs designed by Pierre Chapo for Maison Regain in elm base, seat and back in two-tone leather. France, 1970s. Length: 46cm Width: 47cm Height: 81cm Seat height: 48cm Maison Re...
Leather, Wood
$11,588 / item
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 47.25 in
Kissing Armchair, Modern, Sculptural, Rounded, Bronze Metal, Cream Boucle Fabric
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Kissing Armchair features two semi-circle layers; one bearing the cupped seat and a second forming the back-rest. All the lines are covered with soft ...
Bronze
“Breda” Lounge Chair by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Beerse, VAN
A lovely “Breda” lounge chair, designed by French designer Pierre Guariche and produced by Meurop in Belgium during the 1960s. The design looks simple at first but it’s defenately a...
Metal
$2,975
H 32.29 in W 31.11 in D 29.53 in
Mid-20th SK660 Armchair by Pierre Guariche in New Bouclé Upholstery France, 1953
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Almelo, NL
SK660 armchair designed by Pierre Guariche and manufactured by the French company Steiner, 1953 Tubular black lacquered metal feet and wooden frame foam-filled and reupholstered with...
Bouclé
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
Pair of Armchairs by Pierre Guariche, 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of armchairs by Pierre Guariche edited by steiner from1960 Lelièvre home fabric.
Metal
$3,800 / set
H 31.5 in W 19.3 in D 21.26 in
Pair of Marigold Velvet Adjustable Chairs att. Pierre Guariche - France 1960's
By Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
Pair of minimalist adjustable chairs featuring a black lacquered steel structure and original marigold upholstery. As shown on picture 6, the chairs are adjustable for depth, height ...
Steel
$1,112Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 24.41 in
Armchair G1 de Pierre Guariche, Airborne 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair model G1 by Pierre Guariche - Airborne Edition - 50s. White metal structure (wear traces of use in the photos) - redone yellow canvas cover.
Metal
Set of 6 French 1950s Beech Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 6 midcentury compass style beech chairs.
Beech, Faux Leather
$1,232 / set
H 27.76 in W 25.4 in D 19.69 in
Set of Two Lovely Lower Armchairs in Blue and Yellow, 1950s-1960s
By Willy Van Der Meeren, Pierre Guariche
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a set of two chairs that do not come by very often. To us the origin is unknown but the look and feel, with the sloping backrests, are similar to the 'F1' chair designs of Be...
Metal
$6,619 / set
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Pair of SK660 Armchairs by Pierre Guariche, Steiner Edition, 1953
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) Pair of SK660 armchairs. Upholstered in Panama wool fabric by Bisson Bruneel. Seat entirely redone (straps, foams, fabric), black lacquered metal bas...
Metal
Vermelha Chair, Campana Brothers for Edra, 2000s
By Edra, Campana Brothers
Located in Renens, CH
The Vermelha Chair by the Campana Brothers, stands out as a distinctive piece of contemporary design. Infused with inspiration from Bra...
Metal
Set of 4 Fine French 1950s Beech Side Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of 4 fine French Mid-Century beech dining chairs.
Beech
$1,426
H 33.08 in W 22.84 in D 27.17 in
Mid Century Lounge Armchair in Pierre Guariche style, France 60s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Lucija, SI
This Mid century armchair is attributed to Pierre Guariche, Made in France in the 60. Original fabric from the 60s
Metal
Pierre Gauriche Pair of 'G1' Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, lounge chairs model 'G1', lacquered steel, black leather, designed in 1953 This wonderful set of 'G1' lounge chairs is designed by Pierre Guariche in 1953 for Airborne. The simplistic and modern design consist of a tubular steel frame with a seating of black leather. The shell, resting on the thin metal frame, forms a Classic, modern combination. The leather is in overall good condition, with some traces of use and age. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé Gabriel...
Metal
Pierre Guariche for Airborne Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, pair of lounge chairs model FS 105 model, solid oak, black fabric, France, 1940s. These armchairs in solid oak are...
Fabric, Oak
Pierre Guariche Set of Four Dining Chairs for Airborne
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, four dining chairs, black faux leather, metal, France, 1960s To be upholstered. 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
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
Chair by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, France, 1970s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Crafted in solid wood, this chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for the La Plagne mountain project. Its balanced proportions, honest construction, and visible joinery reflect Guari...
Wood
Set of 6 Tonneau chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche, Studio A.R.P. (Joseph-André Motte, Michel Mortier and Pierre Guariche)
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 6 dining chairs ‘model Tonneau’ designed by Pierre Guariche and produced Steiner in France during the 1950’s. The frame features molded plywood shells that have been stained b...
Beech, Plywood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Tulip Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s, Original Patina
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare Tulip chair in fiberglass, designed by Pierre Guariche and produced by Steiner in the 1950s. An iconic example of post-war French design, this chair reflects Guariche’s pione...
Steel
Chair by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, France, 1970s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Crafted in solid wood, this chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for the La Plagne mountain resort project. It features compact proportions, visible joinery, and a warm natural fini...
Wood
1950s Cast aluminium chair, Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Chair with a cast aluminium shell designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner around 1953. This model, emblematic of postwar French design, features a single-piece cast aluminium seat t...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Six “Tonneau” Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1950s
By Emanuel Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful set of six original “Tonneau” chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche and produced by Steiner in France during the 1950s. These iconic chairs feature molded plywood shells with...
Plywood
Sold
H 28.35 in W 17.33 in D 20.48 in
Rare Yellow Fiberglass Tulip Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Dronten, NL
A exceptional example of mid-century French design, this rare tulip chair was created by Pierre Guariche for Steiner and produced in fiberglass in the late 1950s. Guariche was known ...
Steel
Sold
H 29.14 in W 18.12 in D 18.51 in L 29.14 in
Aluminum Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Renens, CH
A cast aluminium Tonneau Chair designed by Pierre Guariche in the 1950s. The chair features a curved shell seat on a black painted metal base. The raw finish of the cast aluminum, wi...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century modern Pair of “Tonneau” chairs, 1965 edition by Steiner
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Pair of “Tonneau” chairs, 1965 edition by Steiner, designed by Pierre Guariche. Presented in their original dark brown velvet upholstery, the chairs remain in good vintage condition,...
Steel
Sold
H 30.32 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
5er Set Pierre Guariche Tonneau / Amsterdam Stühle Leder, Entwurf 1950er
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Reutlingen, DE
Fantastisches 5er Set Pierre Guariche für Maison Du Monde Modell „Amsterdam“ Reedition der „Tonneau“ Stühle für Steiner aus den 1950er in Leder und schwarzem Stahlrohrgestell, Frankr...
Steel
Set of six Amsterdam Chairs by Pierre Guariche, Circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Rare set of six "Amsterdam" chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner circa 1954. Black lacquered tubular metal base and plywood shell seat (black lacquered) and seat dressed in red lea...
Metal