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.
Expandable Dining Table by Pierre Guariche & A.R.P
By Pierre Guariche
Located in New York, NY
Expandable dining table by Pierre Guariche & Atelier de Recherche Plastique Table with ash extension by Pierre Guariche for Les Huchers Minvielle, 1955. Revarnished tray in perfe...
Metal
Mid Century Dining Table by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Mid Century dining table designed by Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. This example is in very good, original condition, showing only light wear consistent with age. Specifically, an inconsequential veneer flaw at the corner, and light cosmetic wear - please see images. The table opens to accept a large ( 20 in W ) leaf ) extending the width from 72 to 92 inches. This listing is for the dining table only.
Ash
Expandable Extra Long Faux Lacquered Goat Skin Dining Conference Table
By Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern lacquered faux goat skin dining table with 3 x 16" extension boards. Nice rounded corners and edges. Maximum expended length ...
Lacquer
$6,495
H 28.5 in W 41.75 in D 113.75 in
Arne Vodder for Sibast Model 227 Expanding Danish Teak Dining Table, 1960s
By Sibast, Arne Vodder
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Arne Vodder for Sibast Møbler in the 1960s, the Model 227 is among the most ingenious expansion systems to emerge from the golden age of Danish cabinetmaking, and this ex...
Teak
Circular Walnut Expanding Dining Table "Concord Dining Table"
By Anton Maka
Located in Shelby Twp, MI
The concord expanding dining table is made of a solid walnut top with solid walnut leaves to be added for extra surface area. The legs are made of solid wa...
Walnut
$5,800
H 29 in W 50 in D 53 in
Cassina Large Square Flip Top Expandable Dining Conference Table Blond Birch
By Cassina
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Cassina large square flip top expandable dining conference table blond birch. Large square table converts 100" long rectangle dining or conference tab...
Birch
Expandable Barley Twist Dining Table Made from Walnut
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This barley twist dining table is shown here in 108" x 40", expanding to 138", however it can be built in any size. Because each table is be...
Walnut
Large Ron Seff Goat Skin Rare Lucite Base Expandable Dining Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Westport, CT
Ron Seff Goat Skin Lucite base versatile extra-large expandable dining/conference table, when closed 72" with two leave 20"each when fully opened 112" in exceptional condition bevel...
Goatskin, Lucite, Wood
Expanding Walnut Dining Table of Midcentury Design
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large walnut dining table with extension leaf (100" x 60", expanding to 128" x 60). with beautifully matched, solid walnut planks. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los A...
Walnut
Iconoclast Modern Hardwood Dining Table by Izm
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
The Iconoclast dining table is made of 100% solid, hardwood and features a unique pedestal base. This piece commands attention and is the perfect center piece for any open plan dinin...
Hardwood
$19,500 / item
H 30 in W 40 in D 144 in
Expandable Dining Table Made from Rift Sawn Oak Custom Made By Petersen Antiques
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classically designed dining table is seen here in 96" x 40", expanding to 120" and 144" however it can be built in any size. It can be taken apart and put back together in minut...
Oak
$20,000 / item
H 30 in W 143 in D 48 in
Expandable Minimalist X Trestle Table Built to Order by Petersen Antiques
By Petersen Antiques
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This walnut dining table is seen here in 113" x 48" expanding to 143" using 2x 15" extensions, however it can be built in any size. Because each table is bench-made in our own Los A...
Walnut
Iconoclast Modern Hardwood Dining Table by Izm
Located in Edmonton, Alberta
The Iconoclast dining table is made of 100% solid, hardwood and features a unique pedestal base. This piece commands attention and is the perfect cente...
Hardwood
Sold
H 28.75 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
Pierre Guariche Adjustable Extension Dining Table – Mid-Century French Design
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Pierre Guariche Adjustable Extension Dining Table – Mid-Century French Design, Circa 1950. Presenting an elegant adjustable extension dining table designed by the renowned French d...
Metal
Table by Alain Rechard / Edition Meubles TV
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A table designed in the 1950s by French designer Alain Richard. The edition is "Meubles TV" and the sticker is still there. A small top plate that can be stored under the large top p...
Elm
Dining Table by Pierre Gauriche for Airborne International
By Airborne International, Pierre Guariche
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Leather wrapped extension dining or writing table by Pierre Gauriche. This table was manufactured by Airborne International, France, 1950s This table measures 94.5" with both lea...
Leather, Maple, Wood
Extending Dining Table by Pierre Guariche for Meurop, 1950s
By Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in London, GB
Modernist dining table by the French designer and architect Pierre Guariche for the Belgian manufacturer, Meurop, 1950s. The simple and elegant design is finished in teak with rec...
Steel