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.
Large Pierre Guariche 'G25' Articulating Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G25' articulating wall lamp for Sammode Studio. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic wall lamp is newly produced...
Brass, Aluminum, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Black
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in black. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by...
Aluminum, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio in Green
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' wall lamp for Sammode Studio in green. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche in 1951, this monumental wall lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-ed...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio in Chalk
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' wall lamp for Sammode Studio in chalk. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche in 1951, this monumental wall lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-ed...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Rare and Important Model G320 Sconce by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Model G320 Sconce by Pierre Guariche. Designed and manufactured in France, in 1956. Perforated steel concave shield plate, parchment paper backing, and a brass mounting armature. The...
Brass, Steel
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in White
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in white. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by...
Aluminum, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Gray
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in gray. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by ...
Aluminum, Steel
$5,000 / item
G1 Wall Light by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
G1 wall light by Pierre Guariche. Current production by Sammode Studio designed and manufactured in France. Brass, enameled metal. Wired for U.S. standar...
Brass, Metal
Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Black
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in black. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by Sammo...
Aluminum, Steel
Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in White
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in white. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by Sammod...
Aluminum, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio in Red
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' wall lamp for Sammode Studio in red. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche in 1951, this monumental wall lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-edit...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$609Sale Price / set|56% Off
Pair of Sconces Brass and Acrylic Pierre Guariche Lights, French Mid-20thCentury
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Labrit, Landes
French wall sconces black and red holders with golden chrome pair of lights. Wall Lights by Pierre Guariche famous French interior designer of the second part of the 20th century. ...
Brass
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio in Black
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' wall lamp for Sammode Studio in black. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche in 1951, this monumental wall lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-ed...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' Wall Lamp for Sammode Studio in White
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G1' wall lamp for Sammode Studio in white. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche in 1951, this monumental wall lamp is newly produced in an authorized re-ed...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$5,650 / set
Pair of Pierre Guariche Style Flush Mount
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of flush mount in the style of Pierre Guariche. Two-light per flush mount, 60 watts max per light. US rewired and in working condition.
Iron
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Gray
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in gray. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by ...
Aluminum, Steel
Set of 3 MCM Brass & Lucite Wall Sconces by Pierre Guariche for Luminai
By Luminaire, Pierre Guariche
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 3 wall lights by Pierre Guariche from the Luminaires lamp company with original sales tags. Crafted with a blend of brass and lucite, these lights feature a Googie-inspired st...
Brass
$3,819 / item
G25 Wall Light by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The G25 wall lamp designed by Pierre Guariche will not go unnoticed in your home. It can be used above a dining table, as it was during its designer's lifetime. Or it works equally w...
Metal, Steel
Pierre Guariche G25 Wall Light in Black and White for Sammode Studio
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Renens, CH
The G25 wall lamp will not go unnoticed in your home. It can be used above a dining table, as it was during its creator's lifetime, but also in an office or an entrance hall thanks t...
Metal, Brass
Cerf Volant wall lamp by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Monaco, MC
Iconic " Cerf-volant" wall lamp designed by Pierre Guariche for Diderot edition circa 1950. Very rare condition for an original one. Adjustable lenght from 126 to 164cm. H 83cm. ...
Metal
Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Gray
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in gray. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by Sammod...
Aluminum, Steel
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in White
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Glendale, CA
Large Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in white. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by...
Aluminum, Steel
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Black
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Small Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in black. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by...
Aluminum, Steel
Large Wavey Murano Ceiling/ Wall Light
Located in Westport, CT
One textured clear blown Murano wavy sconce with silver hardware, comprised of six lights up to 60 watts each, can be displayed horizontally or vertically ...
Glass
$334Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 7.09 in W 5.91 in D 6.11 in
Pair of Sconces Wall Lights French Midcentury Guariche Style
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Labrit, Landes
Midcentury pair of wall lights French manner of Guariche Undulated plastic shades with golden details 1 bulbs in each sconce Good vi...
Chrome
1960s Sergio Mazza 'Sigma' Wall or Ceiling Light for Artemide
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Three Mid-Century Modern wall or ceiling lights designed by Sergio Mazza for Artemide, circa 1960s, executed in nickelled brass and pressed glass.
Brass
$648
H 5.91 in Dm 13.78 in
Peill & Putzler White Frosted Glass Flush Mount Ceiling or Wall Light, 1970s
By Peill & Putzler
Located in Barntrup, DE
Peill & Putzler white frosted glass flush mount ceiling or wall light, the 1970s A beautiful white frosted glass flush mount ceiling light or wall light in a shape of a mushroom with a decorative dotted pattern. Made in Germany by Peill & Putzler in 1970s. Dimensions: Diameter 35 cm, 13.77 in; height 15 cm, 5.9 in. The light fixture is in complete working order, but as with all vintage or antique...
Metal
French 1950's Large Scale Wall or Ceiling Light by Lunel
By Arlus
Located in Hanover, MA
Another addition to our collection of what we call "elbow form" wall or ceiling mounted fixtures by Lunel Lumiere, France 1950's. This one is notable for its dark walnut embelli...
Brass, Steel
Large Vintage Glass Ceiling or Wall Light Flushmount, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Wonderful vintage hand made blown glass flushmount. Germany, 1960s. Lamp sockets: E27 (US E26). .
Glass
Small Model G13 Flush Mount Wall/Ceiling Light by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small Model G13 flush mount wall/ceiling light by Pierre Guariche. Originally designed in 1952, this current edition is made in France by Sammode Studio. Black perforated metal base,...
Metal
Vintage Red Wall Light Pierre Guariche Style in Brass, French, 1960s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French sconce, 1960s.
Brass, Iron
$1,189
H 5.91 in Dm 10.63 in
Sergio Mazza Italian "Sigma" Wall Lamp or Ceiling Light for Artemide, 1960s
By Artemide, Sergio Mazza
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century Modern "Sigma" nickel-plated brass and Murano glass wall lamp. Sergio Mazza designed this elegant ceiling lamp in Italy during the 1960s for Artemide. Fully or...
Metal, Nickel, Brass
Small Model G13 Flush Mount Wall/Ceiling Light by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Small Model G13 flush mount wall/ceiling light by Pierre Guariche. Originally designed in 1952, this current edition is made in France by Sammode Studio. White perforated metal base,...
Metal
$1,650 / item
H 5.9 in Dm 9.8 in
Pierre Guariche 'G13' Wall or Ceiling Light for Sammode Studio in Black
By Pierre Guariche, Sammode
Located in Glendale, CA
Pierre Guariche 'G13' wall or ceiling light for Sammode Studio in black. Originally designed by Pierre Guariche, this iconic lamp is a newly produced authorized re-edition by Sammo...
Aluminum, Steel
Fractale Medium Glass Wall or Ceiling Light
Located in Westport, CT
Gold thermoformed glass (also available in silver) mounted on a base available in lacquered black metal or solid oak. Can be used as a wall or ceiling light. Handmade in Europe Ava...
Metal
Pierre Guariche G25 Disderot wall light
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Grenoble, FR
Pierre Guariche workshop variant of the G25 lamp. Rare version from Disderot
Metal, Brass
Pierre Guariche "G1" Wall Lamp Edition Disderot, France 1950s
By Disderot, Pierre Guariche
Located in Utrecht, NL
Pierre Guariche's "G1" wall lamp is a quintessential piece of mid-century French design. The “G1” was originally designed by Guariche in 1951, and quickly became a marker of French 1...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 31.5 in W 15.75 in D 53.94 in
Pierre Guariche "G25, Cerf-Volant" Wall Lamp for Pierre Disderot, France, 1950s
By Pierre Disderot, Pierre Guariche
Located in Utrecht, NL
Like the “G30” model, this lamp is also better known by its nickname, Cerf-volant, or, “the kite”. This lamp is an elegant creation equipped with an atypical and structured reflector...
Metal, Brass, Steel
Cerf Volant Wall Lamp by Pierre Guariche 1953
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Cerf Volant wall lamp by Pierre Guariche in lacquered metal and brass Adjustable and swivel arm Edition Disderot France, c. 1953.
Metal
Sold
H 32.68 in W 14.97 in D 59.06 in
Pierre Guariche Wall Lamp Sconce Vintage Cerf Volant G 25 France
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Wall light Cerf volant model G 25 black and white lacquered metal, white perforated sheet and brass. Edition Disderot Circa 1955. Adjustable in length : 47.24 / 59.05 in.
Metal, Brass
Pierre Guariche, Cerf-Volant Wall Lamp
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Allerum, SE
Original 1950s Cerf-Volant wall lamp, designed in 1952 by Pierre Guariche. Edited by Disderot model G25. Black and white lacquered metal with brass, adjustable in length 126 - 150 cm...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 32.68 in W 49.61 in D 20.08 in
Pierre Guariche G25 Wall Light in Black and White for Sammode Studio
By Sammode, Pierre Guariche
Located in Renens, CH
The G25 wall lamp will not go unnoticed in your home. It can be used above a dining table, as it was during its creator's lifetime, but also in an office or an entrance hall thanks t...
Metal, Brass
1950s Pierre Guariche French Wall Sconce Black Cone
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chula Vista, CA
French Wall Sconce Fabulous 1950s French modern vintage light perforated cone wall sconce lamp by Pierre Guariche France 1950s Large black shade w...
Metal
1950s Pierre Guariche Sconces 'pair'
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Selling a pair of rare French Mid-Century Modern Pierre Guariche sconces in their original paint and bayonet style sockets. Backplate is 4 inch diameter. Height is 15", shade is 12".
Steel
Pierre Guariche 'Cerf Volant' Wall Lamp, France, 1953
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Utrecht, NL
A Cerf-Volant sconce (or wall lamp) by Pierre Guariche. Produced by Pierre Disderot in France, 1953. When we talk about Pierre Guariche's work, two of his creations immediately come to mind: the famous “Amsterdam” chair called “barrel” in molded plywood (edition Steiner, 1950s) and the elegant Cerf-Volant lamps designed for French lighting manufacturer Pierre Disderot in the 1950s. 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. Cerf-Volant translates to “kite”, referencing the shade of the lamp in its aerodynamic design. The elegant lines and precision of the wall lamp reflect Gauriche’s architectural talent. The lights of Guariche like the Cerf-Volant, incorporate a counterbalance to create perfect harmony. The brass sphere of the lamp act as counterweight, therefore it can be moved by the user into any position. The lamp is made out of a black lacquered metal and brass stem, with a delicate white perforated shade. The shade resembling a kite softly dims the lamp’s light to create the illusion of a sconce with burning candles. About the designer: A key figure in French post-war creation, Pierre Guariche trained at the School of Decorative Arts in Paris under the pioneering French Modernist René Gabriel. Guariche inscribed his approach and his achievements in a vocabulary perfectly suited to the needs of his time. Subsequently, he developed his own unique modern style, which has now become evocative of the 1950s French lighting...
Metal, Brass, Steel
G3 Sconce by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
G3 sconce by Pierre Guariche. Current production designed and manufactured in France by Sammode Studio. Enameled metal, steel, brass. Wired for U.S. standard...
Brass, Steel, Metal
Sold
H 34 in W 15.5 in D 48 in
Kite Cerf Volant Applique Wall Light by Pierre Guariche Editioned by Disderot
By Pierre Guariche, Disderot
Located in Chicago, IL
Cerf-Volant, The Kite, appliqué designed by Pierre Guariche and editioned by Disderot, France, circa 1952. The fixture is adjustable, it both pivots in the wall mount as well as can...
Brass, Aluminum, Steel