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.
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN "Tonneau" CHAIR by PIERRE GUARICHE, STEINER, France 1950
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in PARIS, FR
A single and real iconic chair : the Modernist, Free Form, Mid-Century-Modern, Reconstruction, "Tonneau" chair in its finest aluminium version : 4 legs in black lacquered tubular met...
Metal, Aluminum
A Set of Six White Fiberglass Pierre Guariche "Coquillage" Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Dronten, NL
For the discerning collector and the design connoisseur, we are proud to present an exceptional set of six "Coquillage" (Shell) chairs by the legendary French designer Pierre Guarich...
Steel
Pierre Guariche SK660 Armchairs in Cream Bouclé, France 1960’s
By Siege Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
Editions Steiner. Black lacquered feet. Freshly reupholstered in crème white bouclé by Bisson Bruneel. Brass necks at the junction of armrests and back.
Brass, Steel
Rare Pair of Pierre Guariche Tulip 'Tulipe' Cast Aluminium Chairs, 1950s, France
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare pair of original Pierre Guariche cast aluminium Tulip / Tulipe chairs, dating from the 1950s. Extremely nice examples in very good original condition. Natural imperfections ...
Aluminum, Iron
Pierre Guariche Cast Aluminium Tulipe Seat for Steiner with original fabric 1953
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Stunning cast aluminum chair with their original orange fabric, extremely rare chair with their original fabric. In 1951 Guariche began to collaborate with Steiner, another major f...
Aluminum
Pierre Guariche for Meurop Set of Six 'Coquillage' Dining Chairs
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Meurop, set of six chairs in yellow and blue plastic, model 'Coquillage', Belgium, 1960s. These chairs were designer by Pierre Guariche for Meurop and titled 'Co...
Metal
Rare Pierre Guariche Tulip 'Tulipe' Aluminium Chair, 1950s, France
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A rare original Pierre Guariche cast aluminum Tulip / Tulipe chair, dating from the 1950s. A super example in very good original, vintage condition. Can be polished up brighter if d...
Aluminum, Iron
Pair of Pierre Guariche Yellow Fiberglass Side Chairs by Steiner - France 1950's
By Pierre Guariche, Siege Steiner
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of yellow fiberglass side chairs by Pierre Guariche in good vintage. These "tonneau" chaped chairs are iconic Guariche pieces and epitomize his series of compact barrel sha...
Steel
Rare Yellow Fiberglass Tulip Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Dronten, NL
A exceptional example of mid-century French design, this rare tulip chair was created by Pierre Guariche for Steiner and produced in fiberglass in the late 1950s. Guariche was known ...
Steel
Pierre Guariche Cast Aluminum Pair of Tulip Chairs Steiner France circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of cast aluminum Tulip chairs or also known as Tonneau by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1954. Sculpted and curved cast aluminum seat with an opening on the seat on sleek ...
Aluminum
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous fiberglass chair by Pierre Guariche. Cream fiberglass frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautiful design. Great standalone piece. Fantastic piece of ...
Iron
1950s Cast Aluminum Dining Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Pierre Guariche's work has risen in popularity as reissues bring light to his magnificent body of work. The Tulipe Chair is one such piece that has become popular despite it being us...
Aluminum
Set of 4 Pierre Guariche Aluminum Chairs, 1950s France
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous set of 4 aluminum chairs by Pierre Guariche. Cast aluminum frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautifully minimal design. Extremely rare. The non conv...
Aluminum, Iron
Cast aluminium 'Tulipe' chair by Pierre Guariche. French 1950s.
By Pierre Guariche
Located in London, GB
"Tulipe" chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner. Cast aluminium shell seat with black tubular steel legs. In good vintage condition. The cast aluminium seat shows lots of very nice cas...
Aluminum, Steel
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Tonneau Guariche Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bent plywood chairs in original condition from the 1950s missing their original upholstery Located in Brooklyn.
Plywood
Tonneau chair by pierre guariche from the 60s in solid wood
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Tonneau’ chair from the 60s by French designer Pierre Guariche. All-wood model in moulded plywood. Very good vintage condition with a beautiful patina. The chair shows signs of age a...
Wood
Six “Tonneau” chairs by Pierre Guariche, Editions Steiner, France, circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Paris, FR
Six “Tonneau” chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner in 1954. Molded plywood shell, birch veneer, black moleskin cover, black lacquered metal base. Biography: Pierre Guaric...
Metal
1951 Pierre Guariche, Prefacto Set of Four Chairs, Airborne Edition
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Prefacto by Pierre Guariche Very rare suite of four chairs Airborne Publisher 1951 Dimensions: 80 x 42 x 48 cm Mahogany and metal Mythical and very rare Beautiful condition Se...
Metal
P. Guariche for Meurop, 1960s Coquillage Chair
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Coquillage side chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in the early 1960s. The shell is made of grey perforated propylene, the base of black lacquered metal. The chair ...
Metal
Elegant Set of Five Chairs by Pierre Guariche - 1950s Vintage Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Set of Five Chairs by Pierre Guariche - 1950s Vintage Design Discover the timeless appeal of this exclusive set of two chairs designed by renowned French designer Pierre Gua...
Plastic
$907Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Design Robin Chair Set by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1950's
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mid-Century Modern design Robin dining chair set of 2 by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, made in Belgium late 1950's. All original purple fabric on seat on black metal frame base...
Metal
Elegant Set of 2 Chairs by Pierre Guariche - 1950s Vintage Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Elegant Set of 2 Chairs by Pierre Guariche - 1950s Vintage Design Discover the timeless appeal of this exclusive set of two chairs designed by renowned French designer Pierre Guaric...
Plastic
Black Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brussels, BE
Black Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche, 1950s
Wood
Pierre Guariche Dining Chair for Meurop, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Mid-century dining chairs designed by French designer Pierre Guariche for Belgian furniture maker Meurop in 1960s. Upholstery and black painted metal legs...
Metal
Dining Chair for Meurop by Pierre Guariche
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
1960s / Belgium Size W410 D480 H820 SH460 mm Dining chair designed by Pierre Guariche and manufactured by Meurop. The seating has been reupholstered.
Steel
Set of Six Baby Pink "Shell" Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Six beautiful chairs type 1020 colloquially called "shells" produced by the Slupsk centre of Furniture Industry in the 1960s. They are after full renovation upholstery and carpentry....
Velvet, Beech
$4,885 / set
H 31.5 in W 24.41 in D 29.93 in
Roger Landault French Oak Compass Armchairs Wool Bouclé, 1950s
By Roger Landault
Located in Paris, IDF
These elegant compass armchairs are sure to add an element of modernism chic to any room in your home. Designed by Roger Landault in the late 1950s, w...
Oak
$11,809 / item
H 30.32 in W 25.6 in D 47.25 in
Kissing Armchair, Modern, Sculptural, Rounded, Bronze Metal, Cream Boucle Fabric
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
Kissing Armchair features two semi-circle layers; one bearing the cupped seat and a second forming the back-rest. All the lines are covered with soft ...
Bronze
1950s Cast Aluminum Dining Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Pierre Guariche's work has risen in popularity as reissues bring light to his magnificent body of work. The Tulipe Chair is one such piece that has become popular despite it being us...
Aluminum
Fiberglass Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous fiberglass chair by Pierre Guariche. Cream fiberglass frame sits on four iron legs. Great vintage condition and beautiful design. Great standalone piece. Fantastic piece of ...
Iron
Set of Six Ole Wanscher Dining Chairs
By Ole Wanscher, A. J. Iversen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of six dining chairs by Ole Wanscher. Executed by A. J. Iversen for Illums Bolighus. Rosewood and light colored leather.
Upholstery, Rosewood
Set of Six Rare Brass Dining Side Chairs
By Maison Baguès
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Set of rare design brass chairs. Low profile HEAVY brass dining chairs.
Brass
Set of Six Finn Juhl Dining Chairs for Niels Vodder
By Finn Juhl, Niels Vodder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed in 1953 by Finn Juhl for Niels Vodder, Denmark, the Model 109 and 59 dining chairs are a rare design. This rosewood set featuring two armchairs and four side chairs has been...
Leather, Upholstery, Rosewood
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s Beech Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French mid-century beech dining chairs.
Beech
$7,000 / set
H 28 in W 18.25 in D 19 in
Pierre Guariche Cast Aluminum Pair of Tulip Chairs Steiner France circa 1954
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of cast aluminum Tulip chairs or also known as Tonneau by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1954. Sculpted and curved cast aluminum seat with an opening on the seat on sleek ...
Aluminum
$1,131Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.96 in W 28.75 in D 24.41 in
Armchair G1 de Pierre Guariche, Airborne 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair model G1 by Pierre Guariche - Airborne Edition - 50s. White metal structure (wear traces of use in the photos) - redone yellow canvas cover.
Metal
$1,850
H 28.35 in W 17.33 in D 20.48 in
Rare Yellow Fiberglass Tulip Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Dronten, NL
A exceptional example of mid-century French design, this rare tulip chair was created by Pierre Guariche for Steiner and produced in fiberglass in the late 1950s. Guariche was known ...
Steel
Pierre Gauriche Pair of 'G1' Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, lounge chairs model 'G1', lacquered steel, black leather, designed in 1953 This wonderful set of 'G1' lounge chairs is designed by Pierre Guariche in 1953 for Airborne. The simplistic and modern design consist of a tubular steel frame with a seating of black leather. The shell, resting on the thin metal frame, forms a Classic, modern combination. The leather is in overall good condition, with some traces of use and age. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé Gabriel...
Metal
Pierre Guariche for Airborne Pair of Lounge Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, pair of lounge chairs model FS 105 model, solid oak, black fabric, France, 1940s. These armchairs in solid oak are...
Fabric, Oak
Pierre Guariche Set of Four Dining Chairs for Airborne
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, four dining chairs, black faux leather, metal, France, 1960s To be upholstered. The chairs are stamped Airborne and are designed by the French designer Pierre Guariche. The faux leather elements are connected to the metal black metal frame. The thin slender legs form a balanced contrast to the simplistic leather elements. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé Gabriel...
Metal
Pierre Guariche Set of Six Black Dining Chairs for Airborne
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, six dining chairs, black faux leather, metal, France, 1960s This set of six comfortable dining chairs features a thick, comfortable seat and back. The chairs are stamped Airborne and are designed by the French designer Pierre Guariche. The faux leather elements are connected to the metal black metal frame. The thin slender legs form a balanced contrast to the simplistic leather elements. Pierre Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé Gabriel...
Metal
Chair by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, France, 1970s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Crafted in solid wood, this chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for the La Plagne mountain project. Its balanced proportions, honest construction, and visible joinery reflect Guari...
Wood
Set of 6 Tonneau chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche, Studio A.R.P. (Joseph-André Motte, Michel Mortier and Pierre Guariche)
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 6 dining chairs ‘model Tonneau’ designed by Pierre Guariche and produced Steiner in France during the 1950’s. The frame features molded plywood shells that have been stained b...
Beech, Plywood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Tulip Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s, Original Patina
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A rare Tulip chair in fiberglass, designed by Pierre Guariche and produced by Steiner in the 1950s. An iconic example of post-war French design, this chair reflects Guariche’s pione...
Steel
Chair by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, France, 1970s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Crafted in solid wood, this chair was designed by Pierre Guariche for the La Plagne mountain resort project. It features compact proportions, visible joinery, and a warm natural fini...
Wood
1950s Cast aluminium chair, Pierre Guariche for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Chair with a cast aluminium shell designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner around 1953. This model, emblematic of postwar French design, features a single-piece cast aluminium seat t...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Set of Six “Tonneau” Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche, Emanuel Steiner
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful set of six original “Tonneau” chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche and produced by Steiner in France during the 1950s. These iconic chairs feature molded plywood shells with...
Plywood
Aluminum Tonneau Chair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Renens, CH
A cast aluminium Tonneau Chair designed by Pierre Guariche in the 1950s. The chair features a curved shell seat on a black painted metal base. The raw finish of the cast aluminum, wi...
Aluminum
Sold
H 32.68 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Mid-Century modern Pair of “Tonneau” chairs, 1965 edition by Steiner
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Pair of “Tonneau” chairs, 1965 edition by Steiner, designed by Pierre Guariche. Presented in their original dark brown velvet upholstery, the chairs remain in good vintage condition,...
Steel