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 Set of Two Ventaglio Work Table For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Perriand Set of Two Ventaglio Work Table For Cassina Simple but flawless assembly, in which the individual elements come together in an intricate structure of breathtaking...
Walnut
Charlotte Perriand Ventaglio Black Oak Work Table For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Perriand Ventaglio Black Oak Work Table For Cassina Simple but flawless assembly, in which the individual elements come togeth...
Walnut
Charlotte Perriand Ventaglio Natural Oak Work Table For Cassina
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charlotte Perriand Ventaglio Natural Oak Work Table For Cassina Simple but flawless assembly, in which the individual elements come toget...
Walnut
H 17.75 in W 44 in D 31 in
Charlotte Perriand Mexique Coffee Table for Cassina Italy
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Skokie, IL
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand in 1952-1956. Relaunched in 2014. Manufactured by Cassina in Italy. Included as one of the tables en forme libre created between 1938 and 1939, t...
Steel
H 17.5 in Dm 12 in
An Oak Stool for Les Arcs by Charlotte Perriand
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very rare medium height pine stool with beautiful patina made for Les Arcs Ski Resort in Savoie France.
Pine
H 13 in Dm 55.12 in
Charlotte Perriand "Rio" Coffee Table in Cane by Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
Price is dependent on the chosen material. Also available in marble. The low table by Charlotte Perriand is composed of six segments of different radius, arranged in a circle but offset from one another to create an uneven outer border in solid wood with a hole in the center, envisioned as a spatial center of gravity. Currently available in just one size, the Rio low table...
Cane, Wood
H 33.75 in W 68.75 in D 34.88 in
French Oak Two Tier Work Table
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French, 19th century work table in two tiers, formerly used in a winery. The tall and large surface area is ideal for any creative pursuit, from the artist's studio to home baker–p...
Oak, Paint
H 34.18 in W 53.75 in D 34.97 in
Japanese Antique Two-Sided Work Table with Drawers & Sliding Doors, Taisho era
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This substantial Japanese work table dates to the Taisho period (1912–1926) and is designed to be used from both sides, a configuration that is rarely encountered. At the center of ...
Wood
H 26.78 in W 41.34 in D 37.01 in
Charlotte Perriand for les Arcs dinning table
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Charlotte Perriand for les Arcs dinning pine table with metal foot
Metal
H 39 in W 54 in D 30 in
Industrial Work Table
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Beautiful vintage work table with a unique, brushed, aged, steel patina and a beautifully worked, wood plank top. This cabinet features a flip-down and slide-away front that opens to...
Steel
W 39.4 in D 19.7 in
Carpenter’s Work Table
Located in High Point, NC
A substantial carpenter’s work table reflecting traditional workshop craftsmanship, featuring a long solid wood top built for durability and daily use. The straightforward constructi...
Wood
H 13 in W 72.05 in D 27.56 in
Charlotte Perriand 515 Plana Wood Coffee Table for Cassina, Italy, new
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the size/model and material of the product. Available in black stained oak, Canaletto Walnut or matt black lacquer. Table designed by Charlotte Perriand. M...
Wood, Walnut, Lacquer
H 30 in W 96 in D 28 in
Fir Work Table with Two Drawers, Custom Made by Petersen Antiques
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This work table has legs which splay in both the length and width axis; it has two large drawers that can be pulled out from either side. It is seen here in 96″ x 28″ x 30″ H however...
Reclaimed Wood
H 28 in W 30 in D 86 in
Contemporary Trestle Table "Work" in Solid White Oak by Casey Lurie USA
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Introduced in 2016, WORK table is a contemporary take on the traditional working tables used by artists and designers for centuries. The table has height adjustable trestles...
Wood, Oak
H 28.75 in W 65.36 in D 30.71 in
Charlotte Perriand Desk "Petit Bureau en forme libre" for Cassina
By Cassina, Charlotte Perriand
Located in Berlin, DE
Prices vary dependent on the chosen material. Available in Mahogany or American walnut or a lacquered version (different colors available). A design table crafted by Charlotte Perr...
Wood
H 29.93 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Charlotte Perriand Cansado Gray Formica Table, circa 1950
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Charlotte Perriand, circa 1950. Wood, metal frame legs. Provenance: Cansado, Mauritania (Africa). In good original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) she was born in Paris in 1903 and attended the E´cole de l'Union centrale des Arts de´coratifs from 1920-1925. Charlotte Perriand designed furniture made of anodized aluminium and chromium-plated steel, showing it at the 1927 "Salon d'Automne" in Paris. After meeting Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand worked with him and Pierre Jeanneret until 1937. The revolutionary tubular steel furnishings and system furniture designed by the three were presented as "E´quipement de l'habitation" (home equipment) at the 1929 "Salon d'Automne," where they were widely acclaimed. In 1930 the Union Des Artistes Modernes (UAM) was founded in Paris, a group that viewed itself as a countermovement challenging such establishment organizations as the "Salon d'Automne" and also advocated Art Deco and Modernism. From 1931 Charlotte Perriand showed her own work solo there. In 1937 Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret collaborated on designing a mountain chalet of sheet aluminium, which they showed at the "Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne" and later they came up with plans for prefab houses...
Metal
H 28.5 in W 78.63 in D 35 in
Table "Meribel" by Charlotte Perriand
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Long Island City, NY
Original "Meribel" pine table by Charlotte Perriand