Best known for creating groundbreaking fashion designs from the 1950s onward, Pierre Cardin enjoyed great success in other design fields, most notably furniture. Cardin's desks, chairs, cabinets, tables and other pieces share many of the keynotes of his clothing designs. They are simple, geometric, elegant and cool.
Cardin was born in a village near Venice, Italy, and raised in central France. Always interested in fashion, he left home at age 17 to train with a Vichy tailor. After the end of World War II, Cardin moved to Paris, studied architecture and worked for a succession of couture houses, before taking a job with Christian Dior in 1946. Cardin went solo in 1950, and two decades later, he ventured into the realm of furniture.
Cardin opened a custom furniture shop in Paris in 1975, and in 1977, he licensed his name for furniture, lighting and rugs that translated his fashion aesthetic into designs for the mass market. While he didn’t design the pieces himself, Cardin felt that furnishings were a logical extension of his brand: “Make sleeves to dresses or feet to a table, it’s the same thing,” he is quoted as saying.
Covering the debut of his furniture collection — priced from $70 for a lamp to $1,375 for a cabinet — at the B. Altman store in New York, New York Times writer Rita Reif called it “the last word in chic,” then proceeded to damn it with faint praise, noting that the glittery pieces, featuring chrome and aluminum, velvet upholstery and Cubist lighting, would “appeal to those who prefer more elegance than originality in their modern.”
Cardin’s furniture pieces — inspired, perhaps, by the rediscovery of Art Deco design during the 1970s — feature simple, symmetrical forms, lacquer and figured veneer finishes, and accents in metals such as aluminum and brass. The home furnishings collections were the first of hundreds of products to bear the Cardin name or logo, including three automobiles and even an airplane; in 1986, Women’s Wear Daily reported more than 800 licensees.
Over the course of more than seven decades, Cardin built an empire that doesn’t merely include hundreds of fashion and product licenses. He also expanded into hospitality, purchasing Maxim’s in 1981 and opening branches of the chic and popular Parisian restaurant in other cities, as well as adding a hotel division.
Cardin’s personal life was glamorous too. He threw lavish parties at his Bubble Palace (Le Palais Bulles), which he purchased in 1992 and transformed over 14 years with Hungarian architect Antti Lovag into a complex of 10 interconnected bubble-shaped terracotta structures. The estate, on an expansive hilltop site overlooking the Mediterranean near Cannes, includes three pools, landscaped gardens and a 500-seat amphitheater. Cardin also purchased a castle in Provence formerly inhabited by the Marquis de Sade and a Venice palazzo supposedly once owned by Casanova.
Licensed Pierre Cardin furnishings were made for only about five years, but more than 300 licenses are still active today. When designing fashion, furniture or anything in between, the prolific Cardin was always forward-thinking.
Find vintage Pierre Cardin desks, mirrors, table lamps and other furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Pierre Cardin Bottle Opener, 1970s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Pierre Cardin bottle opener, 1970s. Pierre Cardin bottle opener in chrome/silver metal. The price of shipping is for the Italian territory, for the islands and for shipping abroad ...
Metal
Ceramic "Pyramid" table service by Pierre Cardin - circa 1969
By Pierre Cardin, Pozzi
Located in Linkebeek, BE
“Pyramid” table service - circa 1969 13 elements including 12 in glazed ceramic White and a wooden base Pozzi Editions 44 × 26 cm in diameter Ceramic - Decoration - Pierre Cardin - T...
Ceramic, Wood
Pierre Cardin New Old Stock Boxed Hors D’oeuvre Flatware - 12 Piece Set
By Pierre Cardin
Located in San Gabriel, CA
Pierre Cardin Fabulous Never Been Used Vintage Hors D’oeuvres/Cocktails/Tea Flatware Set The photos speak for themselves with this amazingly pr...
Metal
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Smoking Set by Pierre Cardin, Made in France
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous smoking set by Pierre Cardin in brass and metal. Made in France. The table lighter works. This smoking set is in excellent condition and it's signed Dimension : Tab...
Metal, Brass
Pierre Cardin Ashtray
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pierre Cardin ashtray in cherry red lucite with removable brass insert. Signed.
Brass
Ceramic Cone Set Design Ettore Sottsass by Franco Pozzi for Pierre Cardin, 1969
By Pierre Cardin, Ettore Sottsass, Franco Pozzi
Located in taranto, IT
very rare stackable ceramic "cone" set, production Franco Pozzi Pierre Cardin designed by Ettore Sottsass rare white / light green alternating...
Ceramic, Wood
Pierre Cardin Rectangular Sterling Glass Vide Poche or Change Tray
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PIerre Cardin rectangular vide poche change tray or pocket emptier with clear glass and sterling silver / made in Italy Original mark on the tray Length: 10.5 inches / Width: 8.5 inc...
Sterling Silver
Pierre Cardin Tobacco Table Set of Lighter and Ashtray, Paris, 1970s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Rome, IT
Tobacco table set in metal composed of a lighter and an ashtray made by the French designer Pierre Cardin, Paris, 1970s. On both items the designer's signature is engraved and visi...
Metal
French Pierre Cardin Pink Flower Glass Vase, Signed, 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous decorative chic glass vase in light pink - rose color, made of glass. With original label "Pierre Cardin" and signature "Pierre Cardin" engraved in the glass (see all pictu...
Glass
$368Sale Price / set|20% Off
1970s Stunning Black Smoking Set By Pierre Cardin. Made in France
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous black smoking set by Pierre Cardin in lucite and metal. Made in France The items are in excellent conditionand are signed. The table lighter works perfectly. This smok...
Lucite
$659Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pierre Cardin servizio da 6+6
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Lugo, IT
12 plates 6 dinner plates and 6 soup plates by Pierre Cardin. Craquele ceramic only in this set Good condition. Thank you
Ceramic
Green Ceramic Stackable Cone Set by Pierre Cardin for Franco Pozzi, Italy 1970
By Ettore Sottsass, Pierre Cardin, Joe Colombo, Franco Pozzi, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in Rome, IT
MoMA attribute the design of this fabulous stackable green ceramic Cono tableware set to Joe Colombo for the Espace Pierre Cardin store in Paris in 1970. Other sources debate this, saying that it was designed by Italian ceramicist Ambroglio Pozzi for his father's company, Ceramiche Franco Pozzi. This set comprises salt and pepper shakers, two bowls and a egg carrier...
Ceramic
Pierre Cardin Porcelain Vase, Blue Wave, 1960s, France
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful flower vase made in white cylindrical porcelain, designed by Pierre Paulin, also with a logo on the vase, which is consistently applied to all his ceramiques of this settin...
Porcelain
$750 / set
Pierre Cardin Set of 10 Octagonal Trays
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Cardin home set of 10 vibrant enameled red octagonal metal bar trays / Made in France circa 1980s Original mark on the tray Diameter: 14.5 inches, height 0.5 inches Set of 10 ...
Metal
Pierre Cardin Rectangular Sterling Glass Vide Poche or Change Tray
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
PIerre Cardin rectangular vide poche change tray or pocket emptier with clear glass and sterling silver / made in Italy Original mark on the tray Length: 8.5 inches / Width: 7 inches...
Sterling Silver
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
Venini by Pierre Cardin, big Murano Glass Sculpture, Egg Sculpure, Italian 1960s
By Venini, Pierre Cardin, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
Located in Milano, IT
Spinzi is a Milano based creative atelier specialised in furniture design as well as sourcing and trading relevant mid-century collectible design. Check out our storefront and websit...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Small Azure & Orange Murano Glass 1960s Ashtray by Pierre Cardin for Venini
By Pierre Cardin, Venini, Ludovico Diaz de Santillana
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This small ashtray was designed by Ludovico Diaz de Santillana and manufactured by Venini for Pierre Cardin in the 1960s. It is executed in electric bl...
Murano Glass
Pierre Cardin Modern Red Porcelain Vase Franco Pozzi Ceramica, 1970s, Italy
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pierre Cardin modern red porcelain vase Franco Pozzi Ceramica, 1970s, Italy. Gorgeous modern piece. A red rainbow or rising sun, signed. Franco Po...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Three ashtray by Pierre Cardin for Venini
By Pierre Cardin, Venini
Located in Milano, IT
Pierre Cardin for Venini Murano Glass Ashtrays, Italy, 1970s Rare and exquisite set of three small glass ashtrays designed by Pierre Cardin for Venini, one of the most renowned Ital...
Murano Glass
Facets Clear Ashtray
Located in Paris, FR
Ashtray Facets Clear all hand-made with concrete, pigments and mirror glass. Exceptional and unique piece.
Concrete
$1,884
H 8.27 in W 9.06 in D 7.49 in
Cinnamon Model Teapot by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri Editions
By Ettore Sottsass, Alessio Sarri
Located in Milan, Italy
Cinnamon is one of the teapots from the "The Indian Memory" collection designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1987 and now re-edited by Alessio Sarri. All the pieces in the collection are s...
Ceramic
Bronze Bottle Opener, Woman Body Figure, 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Bronze Bottle Opener, Woman Body Figure, 1970s Nice and original bottle opener, figuring a nude woman or goddess. Perfect to add to any set of kitchen accessories ! Beautiful pati...
Brass
Smoking Set, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Smoking Set is a decorative object realized in the 1970s. A ceramic blue colored smoking set composed by a lighter and an ashtray. Dimensions: Lighter: h.7.5 x 7 cm Ashtray: h. ...
Ceramic
Fine English Porcelain Dessert Service, Minton, circa 1830
Located in New York, NY
Comprising 24 plates, pair of covered sauce tureens and stands, pair of shell dishes and a pair of rectangular dishes. The bright blue ground inters...
Porcelain
Solid Brass Ashtray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid round brass ashtray. This piece features two deep wells separated by comb like notches down the middle of the ashtray. Dimensions 7" diameter x 1.5" height. Condition Excelle...
Brass
$1,059 / set
H 0.79 in W 0.99 in D 5.91 in
Set of 5 Mid-Century Modern Massive Brass Bottle Opener and More, Austria, 1960s
By Walter Bosse
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Three bottle openers, a crocodile nutcracker and a whale ashtray. Presumably all by Walter Bosse.
Brass
Italian Sculptural Brass Ashtray Signedby Bellotto, Italy, 1970s
By Bellotto Argenterie
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant and unique ashtray in solid brass, designed and produced by Bellotto in Italy during the 1970s. It is signed on the inside. This sculptural ashtray is in amazing condition a...
Brass
$1,884
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 6.7 in
Lapislazzuli Model Teapot by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri Editions
By Alessio Sarri, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Milan, Italy
Lapislazzuli is one of the teapots from the "The Indian Memory" collection designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1987 and now re-edited by Alessio Sarri. All the pieces in the collection a...
Ceramic
$1,884
H 8.27 in W 9.06 in D 7.49 in
Basilico Model Teapot by Ettore Sottsass for Alessio Sarri Editions
By Ettore Sottsass, Alessio Sarri
Located in Milan, Italy
Basilico is one of the teapots from the "The Indian Memory" collection designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1987 and now re-edited by Alessio Sarri. All the pieces in the collection are s...
Ceramic
$378Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 9.45 in
Mid-Century French Ceramic Decorative Plate by Le Mûrier (circa 1960s)
By Le Murier
Located in London, GB
Mid-century French ceramic decorative plate by Le Mûrier (circa 1960s). A seductive piece with their signature style, chalk-white colour base with stylised horse motif. In good overa...
Ceramic
Ceramic Julia Dinner Plate by Fornasetti for Rosenthal
By Fornasetti, Rosenthal
Located in Atlanta, GA
A "Julia" porcelain plate with surrealism designs by Piero Fornasetti for Rosenthal, an iconic series from 'Temi e variazioni' (“Themes and Va...
Ceramic
Ambrogio Pozzi for Pierre Cardin Stackable "Cone" Table Set, Italy 1970s
By Pierre Cardin, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in Naples, IT
Between 1968 and 1970, the partnership between the Pierre Cardin brand and the creativity of Ambrogio Pozzi gave birth to two projects based on the concept of assemblage and stackabi...
Ceramic
Pierre Cardin for Franco Pozzi Stackable Plate Set "Cone," Italy 1970s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Naples, IT
MoMA and Architonic attribute the design of this fabulous vibrant green ceramic stackable Cone table service to Joe Colombo for the Espace Pierre Cardin store in Paris in 1970. Other...
Ceramic
Pierre Cardin 1970s Rainbow and Black Lucite Ashtray, France
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Pierre Cardin 1970s Rainbow and Black Lucite and Brass Ashtray, France
Brass
Nut Cracker by Pierre Vandel for Pierre Cardin, 1970s
By Pierre Vandel, Pierre Cardin
Located in San Diego, CA
Pierre Vandel for Pierre Cardin nutcracker. Minimalist design constructed of cast aluminum and steel screw. France, 1970s
Aluminum, Steel
1970s Pierre Carin Space Age Tumbler Glasses – Set of 6
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a set of six exquisite tumbler glasses crafted by the legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, circa the 1970s. Each Sasaki glass is a testament...
Glass
Pierre Cardin Ashtray
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Pierre Cardin brass ashtray with wonderful patina Signed France, circa 1970s.
Brass
Pierre Cardin for Venini Ashtray, Set of 3, Italy, 1960s
By Pierre Cardin, Venini
Located in Naples, IT
These small ashtrays were designed by Pierre Cardin for Venini in the 1960s. They are in electric blue with an orange stripe and engraved with...
Murano Glass
Pierre Cardin Tortoise lucite and Burl Wood Ice Bucket, 1970s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Miami, FL
Ice Bucket rendered in tortoiseshell Lucite and burl wood designed by Pierre Cardin, 1970s, France.
Tortoise Shell, Lucite, Wood, Burl
1950s by Pierre Cardin for Lagostina Design Midcentury Cutlery Flatware
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Brescia, IT
Lagostina by Pierre Cardin 1957 24 pieces Very rare series Measures: H 19 cm.
Steel
Rare Set of Five Pierre Cardin Modern Cocktail Glasses, 1980s, Japan
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
New old stock in original box, rare set of five Pierre Cardin cocktail glasses. Made in Japan.
Glass
Rare Set of 12 Pierre Cardin Modern Cocktail Glasses, "On The Rocks", 1980s
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very rare set of 12 cocktail glasses designed by Pierre Cardin, circa 1980s. In original boxes, produced in Japan, labelled "On the Rocks", "Sasaki Glass".
Glass
Pierre Cardin for Venini Italian Gray and Yellow Glass Decanter/ Barware
By Pierre Cardin, Venini
Located in North Miami, FL
This tres chic Italian Murano sculptural decanter was designed by Pierre Cardin for Venini. The grey smoked glass is accented on the sides by ...
Blown Glass