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.
Kitchen Drawers by Charlotte Perriand, Les Arcs 1800 ski resort Pinewood, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouvé, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Kitchen drawers designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs, a ski resort in the Alps. These doors come from a kitchen of Les Arcs 1800, Résidence La Nova. Manufactured in France in...
Pine
$10,000Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of Three Pairs of Charlotte Perriand Slat Doors, circa 1950, France
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Girona, Spain
Set of three pairs of Charlotte Perriand large slat doors Hisotry: Le Courboulay Building, Le Mans, France Provenance: Gallery Clément Cidivino, circa 1950, ...
Pine
Colour Panel, Charlotte Perriand, Les Arcs, France, 1970s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A rare double-sided colour panel by Charlotte Perriand, created during the Les Arcs project. Encased in a natural wood frame, the panel presents two distinct compositions: one side i...
Wood
1970s Greek Key Drawer Cabinet Pulls Patinated Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Hardware Greek Grecian Key Brass Pulls mounting 2.25 spread. No screws. Set of two .75 d x 5 long x 2 d Preowned original vintage ...
Brass
French Cast Iron Figural Flatback Rust Patina Garden Panel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A cast iron flatback panel originally from a balcony rail in France. Dating to the mid-late 19th century, these decorative objects were used as building or garden elements. Heavy, weighing about 25 pounds, and aged with a beautiful patina, the panel shows a robed figure within an ornate scrolled frame. Imagine it as a piece of outdoor sculpture, used as a fireback, turned into a table base, or framed in a garden gate. Measures: 26.5 inches H x 15.5 inches W x 1.25 inches deep. In very good antique condition with the desired rusted patina.
Iron
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Aluminum Palais Door Handles by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Aluminum Palais lever handle in aluminium. Each handle i...
Aluminum
Pair of Massive Antique Arch Form Doors
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of antique doors with arched and paneled design with remnants of old green and other encrusted paint. The doors do have some old hinges an...
Iron
Pair of 17th Century Oak Armoire Doors from France
Located in Dallas, TX
Originally part of an antique armoire, these oak doors were hand carved in France during the 1600s. The beautiful doors are rectilinear in theme, with ...
Metal, Iron
Set of 3 Art Deco Glass Door Handles with Plates
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous set of 3 Art Deco glass door handles with plates. Amazingly complete set! Probably made in the US circa 1925-30. These ar...
Chrome
Pair of Louis XVI Style Doors
Located in Sheffield, MA
Pair of tall painted doors with original hardware. Will need new glass. Other doors available but not with glass panel. Doors can work well in Swedish Gustavian style decor
Wood
Antique French Painted Decorative Floral Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Originally purchased from Hollyhock in West Hollywood, California. A large panel in ecru paint with carved painted and gilt high relief decoration- a gilt bow and swags at the top over a basket of fruits with a garden rake...
Wood
$3,650 / set
H 76 in W 22 in D 22 in
Antique Pinewood Trellis Obelisks, Tall Garden Decor, France, 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique pair of tall treillis obelisks in Versailles green topped by pointed finials, in good condition. These antique hand crafted painted Pinewood obelisks have multiple layers ...
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Diamond Pattern Doors
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish doors with geometric patterns and original paint from the 19th century. This pair of antique doors from Sweden feature a repeating diamond pattern, comprised of a s...
Iron
$3,462Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 82.68 in W 32.29 in D 1.19 in
Pair of Antique Provençal Doors, Carved/Painted Blue, Late 19th Century France
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Pair of old Provençal interior doors, with carved panels painted in blue, one was a panel (the lowest), built in the late 19th century in the south of France. Delicate and elegant c...
Wood
$6,400 / set
H 136.5 in W 85 in D 1.38 in
Pair of Large Antique French Door Shutters from a Chateau, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
These monumental arched antique door shutters were salvaged from a 19th century French chateau. They would have been on the ground floor, attached...
Iron
Bathroom Fiberglass Door by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1980
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Nestled high in the French Alps, the ski resort of Les Arcs is more than just a destination, it’s a landmark of modernist design, thanks to the pioneering vision of Charlotte Perrian...
Fiberglass
Bathroom Fiberglass Door by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1980
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Nestled high in the French Alps, the ski resort of Les Arcs is more than just a destination, it’s a landmark of modernist design, thanks to the pioneering vision of Charlotte Perrian...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 91.74 in W 61.03 in D 26.78 in
Charlotte Perriand : Prefabricated Kitchen from les Arcs 1800, France 1979
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A true museum piece, this kitchen unit by Charlotte Perriand was designed to equip apartments in the Les Arcs 1800 ski resort, a project to which she dedicated nearly 20 years of he...
Stainless Steel
Bar from Les Arcs 2000 by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1979
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Bar designed by Charlotte Perriand for the Nova residence, built and furnished at Les Arcs 2000 in the French Alps in 1979. Made of solid pine, it was placed in front of the kitche...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 91.74 in W 61.03 in D 26.78 in
Charlotte Perriand : Prefabricated Kitchen from les Arcs 1800, France 1979
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A museum piece, this kitchen block by Charlotte Perriand, designed to equip the apartments of the Arcs 1800 ski resort, a project to which she devoted nearly 20 years of her life. The prefabricated kitchen is...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 76.38 in W 28.15 in D 2.17 in
Charlotte Perriand Red Fiberglass Door with Frame & Mirror, Les Arcs France 1968
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in La Teste-de-Buch, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Charlotte Perriand. Complete door with door frame, original mirror, original handles and hinges. Red lacquered fiberglass and chromed metal. Desi...
Chrome
Sold
H 90.56 in W 76.78 in D 61.03 in
8 Charlotte Perriand Bath Cabin Units, Les Arcs, Savoy, France, 1975
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Paris, FR
Rare 8 complete Prefabricated Bath Units, Les Arcs, Savoy, France, 1975 by Charlotte Perriand. In molded fiberglass shells in red an special and unique pro...
Brass
Charlotte Perriand Door for Les Arcs, circa 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Door designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs ski Resort, circa 1960, manufactured in France. Fiber glass structure, lacquered wood. In original condition, with minor wear con...
Fiberglass, Wood
Sold
H 90.56 in W 76.78 in D 61.03 in
6 Charlotte Perriand Bath Cabin Units, Les Arcs, Savoy, France, 1975
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Paris, FR
Rare 6 complete prefabricated bath units, Les Arcs, Savoy, France, 1975 by Charlotte Perriand. In molded fiberglass shells in red an special and unique pro...
Brass
Set of Four Pairs of Charlotte Perriand Slat Doors, circa 1950, France
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Girona, Spain
Set of four pairs of Charlotte Perriand small slat doors Hisotry: Le Courboulay Building, Le Mans, France Provenance: Gallery Clément Cidivino circa 1950,...
Pine
Charlotte Perriand Door for Les Arcs, circa 1960
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Door designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs ski Resort around 1960, manufactured in France. Fiber glass structure, lacquered wood. In good original condition, with minor wea...
Fiberglass, Wood