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 for Burov 'Monaco' Sofa in Dusty Rose Velvet and Wood
By Pierre Guariche, Burov
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Burov, 'Monaco' sofa, velvet, stained wood, France, circa 1960 Pierre Guariche (1926-1995), a multi-talented French designer, interior decorator, and architect l...
Velvet
Pierre Guariche, Rare Sofa Bed, France, 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pierre Guariche (1926–1995) Rare sofa bed Manufactured by Airbone France, 1960s Steel, upholstery Measurements: 216 cm x 83 cm x 80 H cm 85.04...
Steel
Pierre Guariche, Sofa "Miami", Belgium, 1950
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pierre Guariche (1926–1995) Sofa model “Miami” Manufactured by Meurop Belgium, 1950s Steel, upholstery Measurements 178 cm x 78 cm x 85 cm 70.08 in. x 30.71 in. x 33.47 in...
Steel
Pierre Guariche, Sofa, Fabric, Steel, France, 1954
By Pierre Guariche, Airborne International
Located in High Point, NC
A blue fabric and chrome-plated steel sofa designed by Pierre Guariche in 1954 and produced by Airborne International, France, c. 1950s. Dimensions (inches): 31” H x 83” W x 42” D ...
Steel
SK640 2-Seater Sofa by Pierre Guariche for Steiner , France, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This iconic SK640 2-Seater Sofa (High-Back Settee) was designed in the 1950s (circa 1957) by the acclaimed French modernist master Pierre Guariche and produced by the prestigious Fre...
Wood
Set of Pierre Guariche Sofa Bed and Pair of Armchairs for Airborne French Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Rare set of French designer Pierre Guariche for Airborne Sofa and lounge chairs. We can split the set. Freshly re-upholstery.
Metal
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
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection. An iconic, unobtrusive design. A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Linen
$7,909 / set
H 27.56 in W 61.03 in D 29.93 in
Set of 2 Armchairs and a Sofa in the style Gio Ponti for Casa E Giardino, 1940s
By Casa e Giardino, Gio Ponti
Located in taranto, IT
Rare splendid 40s living room, made in the style of Casa & Giardino by Gio Ponti, consisting of a two-seater sofa and a pair of armchairs, wooden structure and upholstery in Cintz c...
Brass
$134,000 / set
H 32 in W 64 in D 29 in
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Bridge Sofa Set, Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stamford, CT
Pierre Jeanneret, French Mid-Century Modern, Bridge Sofa Set, Chandigarh Upholstered bridge sofa/chair set, Mid-Century Modern, Model PJ-SI-42-B and PJ-SI...
Fabric, Teak
$16,900 / set
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 33.47 in
Mario Bellini "Le Bambole" Sofa for B&B Italia, 1971, Set of 2
By B&B Italia, Mario Bellini
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Mario Bellini “Le Bambole” sofa for B&B Italia, Mongolian faux-fur, Italy, 1971, set of two. This is a timeless Postmodern design icon. The starting point was a shopping bag contain...
Faux Fur, Foam
$10,315 / set
H 27.17 in W 33.47 in D 94.49 in
Saporiti Italia Confidential Sofa, Armchair and Ottoman Living Room Set, 1970s
By Saporiti
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This living room set is from Italian manufacture Saporiti Italia and the model is confidential design by Alberto Rosselli. It consist a 3-seat sofa, an armchair and a rare ottoman. ...
Upholstery, Plastic, Leather
$2,750
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
Curved sofa in wood and velvet upholstery, Italy, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
A curved sofa in wood and fabric, velvet upholstery, Italian craftsmanship, in the style of Gio Ponti, 1950s. Comfort demands curved lines, and this Italian sofa perfectly meets the...
Velvet, Wood
$16,619
H 29.53 in W 94.49 in D 37.41 in
Sesann 3-Seater Sofa in dusty pink by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in amstelveen, NL
An early edition Sesann three-seat sofa designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, circa 1970. The Sesann is celebrated for its sculptural silhouette and distinctive expos...
Chrome
$6,338
H 27.56 in W 68.51 in D 40.16 in
Vintage Michel Ducaroy Togo 3-Seater Sofa for Ligne Roset in Pierre Frey Velvet
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Boom, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage Togo three-seater sofa designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France, circa 1970s. Originally designed in 1973, the Togo is one of Michel Ducaroy’s most celebrated desi...
Velvet, Foam
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
Sofa 280 in Teddy Mohair Bambi by Pierre Augustin Rose
By Pierre Augustin Rose
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Enjoy luxurious comfort in any room with the Sofa 280 in Teddy Mohair Bambi by Pierre Augustin Rose. This sumptuous sofa boasts a cozy Teddy Mohair Bambi upholstery with an inviting ...
Mohair
Rare Pierre Guariche for Airborne Solid Oak Settee
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Guariche for Airborne, settee, solid oak, black fabric, France, 1940s. This two-seat sofa in solid oak is designed by Pierre Guariche for Airborne. The structure with spring system supports the two thick padded black fabric cushions. The back legs are designed as sabre legs. The piece leans backwards and creates a dynamic look whilst so, and at the same time create wonderful sitting comfort. Guariche (1926-1995) was a French architect, designer and decorator. Guariche was a student of Reneé...
Fabric, Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 127.5 in D 32.5 in
Rare Vintage Two-Part Blue Upholstered Model L-10 Curved Sofa by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A gorgeous and rare model L-10 curved sofa designed by Pierre Guariche, the present example features a delightful blue covering over black enameled iron frame. It is built in two par...
Iron
Miami Two-Seat Sofa by Pierre Guariche for Meurop
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
The Miami sofa was designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, Belgium in the 1950s. This sofa exists of 2 separate parts. The nice minimal base is in black la...
Metal