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.
Pierre Guariche Pair of Lounge Chairs France c1960 For ARP
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
PIERRE GUARICHE elegant pair of French lounge chairs. These chairs have a wonderful architectural form with the black lacquered steel arms with Mahogany armrests, They are deep and c...
Steel
$2,505Sale Price|66% Off
"Robert" Lounge Set Designed by Pierre Guariche Upholstered in Pierre Frey
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop
Located in Hitchin, England
A "Robert" armchair, fireside chair and footstool designed by Pierre Guariche and produced in the 1960s by Meurop. Formed of tubular metal and the armchair featuring wooden arms, th...
Steel
‘SK660’ Olive Green Armchair by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1953 - 2 Available
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
Sold and priced individually. The iconic ‘SK660’ armchair was designed by Pierre Guariche for the esteemed French manufacturer Steiner in 1953. Capturing the spirit of postwar moder...
Metal
FS 105 Loungers by Pierre Guariche, France 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
FS105 Armchairs for Steiner. Oak and original upholstery. COM upholstery available.
Oak
$1,655Sale Price|56% Off
"Robert" Fireside Chair by Pierre Guariche Upholstered in Pierre Frey
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Hitchin, England
A "Robert" Fireside chair designed by Pierre Guariche and produced in the 1960s by Meurop. Formed of tubular metal and reupholstered in decorative waves of fake fur that is a perf...
Steel
Troika Lounge Chairs Model by Pierre Guariche and Paul Geoffroy for Airborne
By Paul Geoffroy, Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, FR
We're delighted to present this fantastic pair of Troika lounge chairs, designed by Pierre Guariche and Paul Geoffroy for Airborne in the 1960s, currently housed in our workshop in M...
Chrome
$3,595Sale Price / set|20% Off
Fine Pair of Adjustable Trelax Chairs by Pierre Guariche, France, 1961
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brussels, BE
Recovered in yellow velvet. Design by P.Guariche for Meurop in 1961. Litt.: Pierre Guariche by D.Jacob- L; Blaisse-A. Jeauneau. (Norma Editions) page 171.
Metal
Mid-20th SK660 Armchair by Pierre Guariche in New Bouclé Upholstery France, 1953
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Almelo, NL
SK660 armchair designed by Pierre Guariche and manufactured by the French company Steiner, 1953 Tubular black lacquered metal feet and wooden frame foam-filled and reupholstered with...
Bouclé
Pair of Pierre Guariche SK640 Armchairs for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Excellent pair of the French designer Pierre Guariche SK640 armchairs for Steiner. Circa 1950s. Solid ash wood and red velvet upholstery.
Upholstery, Ash
$1,096 / item
Pierre Guariche Armchairs by Meurop, 10 Pcs
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Voorburg, NL
Fantastic and unique set of ten midcentury easy chairs produced by the Belgium manufacturer Meurop and designed by the French designer Pierre Guariche in the 1960s. Chairs in origina...
Steel
Pair of 'Visiteur' Easy Chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1961
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Nice pair of ‘Visiteur’ or ‘Dusseldorf’ easy chairs designed by Pierre Guariche in 1961 and produced by Meurop in Belgium. This series consisted of modular chairs and sofas with or w...
Metal
$28,388 / set
H 29.93 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Very Rare Pair of Leather and steel Lounge Chairs by Paul Geoffroy for Uginox
By Paul Geoffroy, Uginox
Located in Echt, NL
Iconic pair of lounge chairs in excellent condition. Deigned by Paul Geoffroy and manufactured by Uginox in the 1970s in France. Striking design composed of curved stainless steel ...
Steel, Stainless Steel
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
French Reconstruction Lounge Chair
By Pierre Guariche, Jean Prouvé
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Presenting a remarkable armchair from the 1950s. Inspired by the timeless designs of mid-century masters, this chair pay homage to the iconic styles of renowned designers such as Pie...
Oak
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
$4,600 / set
H 33.75 in W 36 in D 38.5 in
Orchidee Lounge Chairs and Ottoman by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968
By Michel Cadestin
Located in Chicago, IL
Orchidee Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne, France 1968. Original upholstery is excellent condition. Sofa sold in separate ...
Upholstery
$2,845
H 29.14 in W 18.51 in D 18.12 in
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
$14,850 / set
H 32 in W 37.75 in D 33 in
Pair Swivel Lounge Chairs Model 421 by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1970s
By Artifort, Pierre Paulin
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Pierre Paulin lounge chairs model 421 made by Artifort, circa 1970. Both chairs are in very good condition and ready to use. The swivel mechanism works perfectly. Rare and fi...
Chrome
$11,381Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 29.14 in D 36.62 in
Set of 2 Lounge Chairs by Gilles Bouchez for Airborne, 1972
By Gilles Bouchez
Located in Buzzò, Emilia-Romagna
Showcasing the meticulous work of French designer Gilles Bouchez, this set of two lounge chairs from 1972 is an iconic representation of mid-century modern design. Crafted by Airborn...
Metal
Napoleon III Armchair re-upholstered in Pierre Frey
Located in Paddington, NSW
Early 20th-century vintage armchair with a solid carved wooden frame, newly restored in luxurious Pierre Frey fabric. The chair combines rich red velvet along the arms and base with ...
Velvet, Wood, Cotton
$7,040Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 34.65 in D 37.41 in
Pair of Rare 60's Organic Curved Lounge Chairs by Airborne France New Upholstery
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of rare 1960's organic curved lounge chairs by Airborne France fully restored with new foam and De Ploeg 'Monza' Boucle upholster...
Metal
Pierre Guariche SK660 Armchairs in Cream Bouclé, France 1960’s
By Pierre Guariche, Siege Steiner
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
$19,319 / set
H 35.24 in W 38.19 in D 39.77 in
Exceptional Lounge Chairs, Upholstered in Alpaca, Italy, 1950s
By Märta Blomstedt, Flemming Lassen, Viggo Boesen, Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
Rare, exceptional pair of 1950s Italian lounge chairs, attributed to Guglielmo Ulrich. Newly upholstered in a premium, brown / grey 100% Alpaca fabric. Very comfortable chairs. If y...
Alpaca
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
Lounge Chair set of 2 by Pierre Guariche, France, 1950s.
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This lounge chair was designed by Pierre Guariche from France. It features a girly steel frame design. Perfect size and comfortable for seating. Leather has been Reupholstered.
Iron
Pierre Guariche "Caracas" Lounge Chairs, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Diest, BE
A rare pair of "Caracas" lounge chairs designed by French modernist Pierre Guariche for Meurop in the 1960s. These striking pieces showcase Guariche's signature approach: combining c...
Chrome
Set of 4 Luna Lounge Chairs
By Pierre Guariche
Located in North Charleston, SC
Set of 4 Luna lounge chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop circa 1960s. Height 29"; Width, 25"; seat width 16"; seat depth 17".
Leather
‘Luna’ Swivel Chair in Ivory Boucle by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1967
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Chicago, IL
The ‘Luna’ swivel chair was part of the Starlook Ultralight series, designed by Pierre Guariche and manufactured in Belgium by Meurop. Launched in 1967, this planetary-inspired colle...
Chrome
Set of 4 Luna lounge chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1960s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 mid century swivel chairs model 'Luna' designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop. The chairs have a chromed metal star shaped metal base and come with a cognac brown leatheret...
Chrome
Jupiter swivel chair by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1967
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
“Jupiter” swivel lounge chair, by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in Belgium-. The black skai seat has a deep, round shape which have a nice seating comfort. Between 1965 and 1967 Pierre...
Metal
Pair Pierre Guariche Lounge Chairs for Airborne, France 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Buffalo, NY
A beautiful pair of lounge chairs designed by Pierre Guariche, manufactured by Airborne in France around 1960.Retains original Airborne label.. Hand delivery avail to New York City o...
Steel
Pair of polaris chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1960s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of mid century swivel chairs model 'Polaris' designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop. The chairs have a metal base and green original fabric upholstery. Good condition. Beauti...
Fabric
Sold
H 27.56 in W 39.38 in D 19.69 in
Very Rare Pair of "Oyster" chairs from "Pierre Guariche for Meurop
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Very Rare Pair of "Oyster" chairs from "Pierre Guariche for Meurop
Metal
‘Jupiter’ Lounge Chair by Pierre Guariche for Meurop
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Beerse, VAN
1960s 'Jupiter' lounge chair designed by Pierre Guariche for the Belgian manufacturer Meurop. This chair was designed for the 'Starlook Ultralight' series, designed between 1965 and...
Faux Leather, Plastic