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.
Mid-Century Modern Sideboard by Pierre Guariche, Ash Wood, 1955
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This elegant mid-century modern sideboard features a refined ash wood structure, enhanced by two grey lacquered sliding doors and four functional drawers. The clean lines and balance...
Ash
Serving Cabinet by Le Corbusier & Pierre Guariche, France, 1965
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This serving cabinet ("Passe-Plat") originates from the interior furniture program designed by the master of modern architecture, Le Corbusier, for the Cité Radieuse housing project ...
Wood
$4,400
H 35.44 in W 82.09 in D 19.69 in
Low Sideboard in Oak, Mid Century Modern, Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker, 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Arne Vodder, Kurt Østervig, Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural low rectangular classic sideboard / cabinet in oak with plenty of storage and a beautiful carved front design. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in the 1960s. Four doors, i...
Oak
Ico Parisi Mid-Century Modern Jatoba Wood Credenza
By Ico Parisi
Located in Weesp, NL
Mid-Century Modern Jatoba wood Ico Parisi cabinet A spectacular bespoke trumeau designed by Ico Parisi and very likely produced by Ariberto Colombo, by special order only. Very few p...
Brass
$13,260
H 35.44 in W 36.82 in D 19.3 in
Mid-Century Modern Record Player Cabinet by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, 1955
By Martin Eisler, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, Forma, Carlo Hauner
Located in New York, NY
A Caviúna record player produced by Forma S.A. Móveis e Objetos de Arte in the 1950s, with designs by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler. This record player has two hanging doors...
Hardwood
$2,550
H 76.78 in W 35.44 in D 16.93 in
Mid Century French Shelving Display Cabinet Bookcase C.1970, Pierre Vandel Paris
By Pierre Vandel
Located in London, GB
Mid century French shelving display cabinet bookcase C.1970. PIERRE VANDEL, PARIS: A black and gilt lacquered display cabinet, the frame form supers...
Aluminum
$2,322Sale Price|20% Off
H 66.93 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Ash Italian Mid-Century Modern Two-Piece Cabinet, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Mid-Century Modern two-piece cabinet. Striking Italian design from the 1950s. Original ash veneered base with three drawers and original ash veneered top with two d...
Ash
$2,061
H 28.75 in W 49.22 in D 26.78 in
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Pierre Guariche, Mahogany, France, 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in LYON, FR
Pierre Guariche Desk Model 620 1960s desk by Pierre Guariche ARP (plastic arts workshop) for Minvielle, made of mahogany and laminate. Clean lin...
Mahogany
$2,086Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Vintage "Student" desk by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1962.
By Pierre Guariche
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Iconic "Student" desk model by Pierre Guariche for Meurop. Produced between 1962 and 1967, this particular piece dates back to approximately 1962. It features a black lacquered m...
Steel
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Mini Sideboard/Credenza
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Mini Sideboard/Credenza Offered is a Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak Credenza. This piece has the look. The piece features 2 door with separate storag...
Teak
$9,450
H 20.87 in W 61.42 in D 22.45 in
Wall Mounted Cabinet by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs, France, 1970s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed in the 1970s for the Les Arcs ski resort in France, this wall-mounted cabinet exemplifies Charlotte Perriand’s mature approach to functional modernism, shaped by her long-st...
Wood, Pine
$4,350
H 68.9 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Charlotte Perriand Two-Part Pine Cabinet for Les Arcs, France, 1970s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Almelo, NL
Charlotte Perriand Two-Part Pine Cabinet for Les Arcs, France, 1970s This rare two-part pine cabinet, designed by Charlotte Perriand for Les Arcs ski resort in France during the 19...
Pine
$597Sale Price|60% Off
H 54.34 in W 41.74 in D 13.78 in
Tall Mid-Century Modern Sideboard In Walnut By Jitona, Czechoslovakia
By Jitona
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful 1960s walnut cabinet, or high sideboard. Produced in Czechoslovakia by Jitona. Made in a combination of oak wood on some parts and walnut veneer on the rest. Beautiful vene...
Glass, Oak, Walnut
Danish Oak Sideboard Cabinet, Danish Mid Century Modern, 1970s
By Henning Kjærnulf
Located in Odense, DK
A beautifully crafted Danish sideboard cabinet in solid oak, produced during the 1970s. The cabinet features three paneled doors with geometric raised moldings, three drawers above, ...
Brass
Sold
H 58.27 in W 72.05 in D 21.66 in
Serving cabinet, Le Corbusier, Pierre Guariche, Firminy, circa 1965
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Serving cabinet designed by Le Corbusier and produced by Pierre Guariche for the Firminy Housing Unit, circa 1965. This model is part of the Unités d'Habitation program developed af...
Wood
Modular Cabinet by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, France, 1970s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A rare modular cabinet designed by Pierre Guariche for the French resort project La Plagne. This versatile piece can be used horizontally as a low console, display bench, or TV stand...
Wood
Pair of end tables by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, circa 1965
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of sofa end tables in varnished Oregon pine, designed by Pierre Guariche for Hôtel Le France in La Plagne, circa 1965. These end tables feature the clean, minimalist lines chara...
Pine
Pair of chests by Pierre Guariche for La Plagne, circa 1965
By Pierre Guariche
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Pair of Oregon pine chests, designed by Pierre Guariche for Hôtel Le France in La Plagne, around 1965. Each chest the clean, modernist lines characteristic of Guariche's work. Each...
Pine
Sold
H 34.26 in W 47.25 in D 19.3 in
Minimalistic 'Model 1260' cabinet by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1961
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Ranst, VAN
Minimalistic 'Model 1260' cabinet by Pierre Guariche in 1961, made in Belgium by Meurop. It's crafted from warm teak wood with a modern twist from the black metal frame and aluminum ...
Metal, Aluminum
Minimal Bar or Writing Cabinet by Pierre Guariche for Meurop
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This nice minimal cabinet is designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in the 1960s. The cabinet is made of teak veneer on a black lacquered steel base. It can be used as a bar or writing cabinet. This pure cabinet...
Teak