Swiss-born Charles-Édouard Jeanneret, best known by his adopted name Le Corbusier, was a highly influential architect, designer, painter, urban planner and writer whose career spanned almost five decades. His designs for sofas, chairs and other furniture are spare, minimal and efficient but at the same time offer supreme comfort.
A pioneer of progress-minded modern architecture, Le Corbusier sought to impose a rational order on the chaos of the world through design. He rejected the excessive architectural ornament and developed a style that became known as brutalism, creating buildings with elemental geometric forms that were made of industrial materials such as steel and reinforced concrete.
Le Corbusier believed that pure, well-designed spaces could offer a lesson in how little is needed to achieve happiness. To convey this notion, the architect prioritized modern, open interiors and emphasized light, rational designs. His architecture and interiors share a clear sense of space and structural order, underlining the beauty in harmony, proportion and simplicity.
Le Corbusier’s furniture espouses these same ideals. Collaborating with his cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, and trailblazing designer Charlotte Perriand, he devised such iconic pieces as the LC2 Petit Confort armchair and the LC4 chaise longue. Each couples a tubular chrome frame with soft, supple leather upholstery, lending an organic warmth to an industrially made design. In his furniture, Le Corbusier broke new ground in ergonomics.
The shape of the LC4 chaise is taken directly from the human form; the classic cowhide upholstery makes the sitter feel weightless; and the piece features an adjustable positioning mechanism to promote total relaxation. Bereft of ornament and prized for its functionality, the LC series created by Le Corbusier, Perriand, and Pierre is currently manufactured by Cassina.
Such planning and intelligence were the hallmarks of Le Corbusier’s career. Whether in his designs for private residences such as the Villa Savoye near Paris, apartment towers like the Unité D'habitation in Marseilles, or in his furniture, he worked toward a style of living that was expansive and flexible. The strength and simplicity of line of Le Corbusier’s sofas, chaise longues and other seating pieces give them a sculptural presence in any décor, yet they are sublimely restful. And as you will see on 1stDibs, Le Corbusier’s furniture reflects a worldly taste: it is at once refined, cosmopolitan and chic.
Find a collection of vintage Le Corbusier furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Pierre Jeanneret Pigeonhole Desk
By Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Originally designed by Pierre Jeanneret for the administrative buildings and secretariat offices of Chandigarh, India, the Pigeonhole Desk was produced in the late 1950s as part of t...
Rosewood
$25,890
H 29.53 in W 72.05 in D 32.68 in
Pierre Chapo, vintage desk model B40 in solid elm, circa 1980
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Hägersten-Liljeholmen, Stockholms län
Large desk design by Pierre Chapo and produced in 1980. This desk B40 is made in solid Elml. The desk is in good vintage condition. The feet can be moved around to fit your space. Th...
Elm
$14,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 72 in D 36 in
Pierre Paulin Bird's-Eye Maple and Walnut Inlay Executive Desk
By Pierre Paulin, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Pierre Paulin executive desk for Baker. Bird's-eye maple veneers inlaid with dark walnut in the signature motif for the Paulin Collection. Drawers are fitted to give a floating ...
Birdseye Maple, Walnut
$2,071Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Vintage "Student" desk by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1962.
By Pierre Guariche
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Iconic "Student" desk model by Pierre Guariche for Meurop. Produced between 1962 and 1967, this particular piece dates back to approximately 1962. It features a black lacquered m...
Steel
$2,047
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 26.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Pierre Guariche, Mahogany, France, 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in LYON, FR
Pierre Guariche Desk Model 620 1960s desk by Pierre Guariche ARP (plastic arts workshop) for Minvielle, made of mahogany and laminate. Clean lin...
Mahogany
$41,077 / set
H 29.93 in W 54.34 in D 26.38 in
Pierre Jeanneret X desk with a Model Pj Si 30A Committee Chair, Chandigarh, 60s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An original Pierre Jeanneret X frame teak and leather Administrative Desk from the Civic buildings of Chandigarh, India, matched to a fully upholstered Mod...
Aluminum
$6,472
H 29.53 in W 43.31 in D 21.66 in
Pierre Paulin CM 178 Desk for Thonet, Oak and Black Metal Writing Desk, France
By Thonet, Pierre Paulin
Located in Paris, FR
Rare CM 178 writing desk designed by Pierre Paulin and produced by Thonet in France, circa 1950s–1960s. This elegant mid-century modern desk features a minimalist black lacquered me...
Metal
$28,500
H 28 in W 45.25 in D 30.38 in
Original Pierre Jeanneret Partners Desk from the Offices of Chandigarh, India
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stamford, CT
Original Pierre Jeanneret 'X' Leg Desk from the Offices of Chandigarh, India Designed by Le Corbusier. Hand-crafted from teakwood, the floati...
Teak
3-Holes File Rack, Pierre Jeanneret, Chandigarh, 1960s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A rare and authentic example from the Chandigarh project in India, this teak 3-holes file rack by Pierre Jeanneret reflects the architect’s rational yet sculptural design language. C...
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret Desk, 1950s Chandigargh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spectacular pigeonhole desk by Pierre Jeanneret. Made for the Chandigarh project. Used in the administrative buildings in Chindigargh, Sector 1. Angular leg and bookcase back. The word - OFFICE - stenciled on years ago designating it to one of the buildings. One of the most iconic pieces of modern design. Dark green leather top. Single pull out drawer on front left. Looks stunning from every angle. Great piece to float in a room. Desk in excellent vintage condition. Last 5 images are the original photos - pre-restoration. Armrest clearance is 26". Jeanneret Chandigargh Book - Jacques Dworczak...
Leather, Teak
$1,489Sale Price|24% Off
H 29.53 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Pierre Bloch and Charles Dudouyt Desk, 1950s
By Charles Dudouyt, Pierre Bloch, La Gentilhommiere
Located in Paris, FR
Charles Dudouyt desk crafted in oak and veneer, with extendable leaf (L:50cm). This small desk has 3 drawers and 2 shelves underneath. Designed by Pierre Bloch & Charles Dudouyt (Fre...
Oak
$1,410Sale Price|45% Off
H 29.53 in W 48.04 in D 27.96 in
Pierre Guariche desk in teak and lacquered steel, France 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in LYON, FR
Let yourself be seduced by this emblematic desk by Pierre Guariche, a centerpiece of the 60s. With its neat and vintage aesthetic, it embodies French design, combining warm teak wood with a designer sculptural metal base with teak ends. This smart piece of furniture is designed for everyday life, with three cleverly designed drawers, one of which has a lock for secure storage of your most precious documents. The refurbished top is matt varnished, it offers a perfectly flat and protected surface. The desk has small marks of patina which enrich its character and authenticity. This Pierre Guariche desk...
Teak
$3,420
H 29 in W 55 in D 27 in
Studio Craft Compass Campaign Desk made in South Africa from Yellowwood
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Fraser, MI
Studio Craft Compass Campaign Desk made in South Africa from Yellowwood. Has echos of Corbu and Jeanneret compass desk for Punjab University.
Hardwood