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.
Set of ‘VOLANTE’ Side Tables for Steiner by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
The "Volante" side table set was designed by renowned French designer Pierre Garliche for Steiner. Its light structure, combining a minimalist steel frame with a thin tabletop, symbo...
Steel
Pierre Guariche, Low Coffee or Side table, Galerie MAI, France, c. 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Side table designed by Pierre Guariche, produced by Galerie MAI in Paris, c. 1950s. Made entirely of oak with clean, functional lines. Early edition. Shows signs of age and use, incl...
Oak
Prefacto side table by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie table d’appoint dite prefacto, modèle crée en 1951 pour airborne.
Metal
Pierre Guariche, Pair of White Flying Table for Steiner, France, 1955
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Beautiful pair of white flying tables designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1955 Pierre Guariche (1925-1995) is a legendary French designer from the 2...
Metal
"Prefacto" Side Table by Pierre Guariche for Trefac Meurop, circa 1950, France
By Trefac, Pierre Guariche
Located in Girona, Spain
"Prefacto" side table by Pierre Guariche for Trefac Meurop Rare original condition. Table top in massive oak. Lacquered metal tube legs. circa 1950, Fr...
Metal
Set of 2 Aquilon Teak Side Table by Pierre Guariche, Les Huchers-Minvielle, 1960
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint Ouen, France
Set of 2 Aquilon teak side table by Pierre Guariche, Les Huchers-Minvielle, 1960 Rare Aquilon furniture by Pierre Guariche Pierre Guariche (1926 - 1995) is one of the legendary French designers of the 1950s, who left his mark on his era with purely aesthetic, functional and accessible pieces. A graduate of the École nationale supérieure des Arts décoratifs, he published his first designs on his own, including the famous Rotaflex lamp, which he exhibited at the Salon des Arts ménagers and then at the Salon des Artistes décorateurs. It was a great success with the public, and soon attracted the interest of publishers. Pierre Guariche went on to create furniture, lighting and decorative objects for Airborne, Pierre Disderot and Steiner. In 1954, he also joined forces with decorators Michel Mortier and Joseph-André Motte, with whom he founded the Atelier de recherche plastique. ARP went on to create furniture for Charles Minvielle's living room, dining room and bedroom. At the end of the 1950s, as artistic director of the Belgian furniture company Meurop, he gradually turned to interior design. In 1965, he was awarded the Prix René Gabriel. Pierre Guariche's original creations have become iconic pieces such as the Amsterdam chair...
Fabric, Teak
VOLANTE Side Table by Pierre Guariche, France, 1960s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A side table designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, part of the VOLANTE series. Characterized by its minimalist construction, the table features a slender metal frame paired with a...
Wood
Pierre Guariche Metal and wood Square French Mid-Century Side Table
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pierre Guariche (1926–1995) Side table Manufactured by Steiner France, 1950s Metal, formica Measurements 39 cm x 39 cm x 36h cm 15.36 in x 15.36 in x 14.18 in Provenance Private c...
Metal
1960's Pair of Vintage Swedish Teak Side Tables / Trolleys
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of vintage Swedish teak side tables / trolleys, these were made in Sweden and date from the 1960’s. They have four loose trays in teak which can all be removed. The ...
Teak
French 1950’s Pierre Guariche small coffee table
By Pierre Guariche
Located in London, GB
A small French black iron and glass coffee table attributed to Pierre Guariche.
Metal
$4,184Sale Price / set|48% Off
H 13 in W 23.63 in D 15.36 in
pair of GIO PONTI oak hanging nightstand tables, side tables Hotel Royal, 1955
By Giordano Chiesa, Gio Ponti
Located in Rome, IT
pair of hanging oak wood nightstands or bed side tables by Gio Ponti wall mounted two shelves side tables finishing of the owl's beak top part of a pair of original headboards whe...
Oak
$2,701
H 12.21 in W 19.69 in D 13.78 in
French Mid Century Free Form Wooden Side Coffee Table Produced in France, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare French mid century free form organic shaped wooden side coffee table in elm produced in France ca 1950s. In good original condition. Very decorative. Dimensions: H: 31 cm / 12...
Elm
$5,361 / set
H 13 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Pair of T23 A Arrondie Basse Side Tables in Elm by Pierre Chapo, France
By Chapo Creation, Pierre Chapo
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of T23 A Arrondie basse side tables by Pierre Chapo, France in elm wood. This 5cm thick top triangle coffee table was designed in the early 1960s and has some beautiful woodwork...
Elm
Vintage Danish Teak Side Table, 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak side table, 1960s Elegant Danish Mid-century modern side or coffee table with underlying shelf. Table top with wrapped gri...
Teak
$4,952Sale Price|25% Off
H 16.54 in W 26.78 in D 20.08 in
Pierre Guariche Original Prefacto Coffee Table, circa 1952, France.
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare original Pierre Guariche coffee table Prefacto model, edited by Meurop circa 1952. Oak plywood and black enameled metal. Dimensions: 68 cm W, 51 cm D, 42 cm H. Good original con...
Oak
Rare Marble Side Table From France, Circa 1950
Located in Nashville, TN
Rare Marble Side Table From France, Circa 1950. Unusual model with a smaller top. Iron construction. Nice wear and use.
Marble, Iron
T23 side table by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
jolie table d'appoint dite T23 par Pierre Chapo,
Elm
French Designer, Side Table, Metal, Mirror, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
An off-white-painted metal and mirror glass side table designed and produced in France, c. 1950s. Moderate to heavy surface scratches and edge chips in mirror tabletop. Heavy patin...
Metal
$419Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 15.16 in W 19.49 in D 15.95 in
Pair of Pierre Vandel Paris side tables, 1970s
By Pierre Vandel
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Pair of Pierre Vandel Paris side tables circa 1970, black lacquered aluminum structure, gold band inclusion, original beveled glass resting on black rubber glides. All in good condi...
Aluminum
Early Pierre Chapo Elm Side Table
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Houston, TX
A sculptural mid century accent table with a warm wood finish and architectural tripod base- minimal, elegant, and quietly dramatic. Clean, architectural lines, mortise-and-tenon j...
Wood
Side table by Pierre Guariche for Trefac / Meuro
By Trefac, Meurop, Pierre Guariche
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This beautiful kidney shaped side table was designed by Pierre Guariche for Trefac / Meurop Belgium in the fifties. The wooden top is fixed on a black metal tripod base. It has the ...
Metal
Sold
H 16.15 in W 26.78 in D 20.48 in
French Wooden Mid Century "Airbourne" Coffee Side Table by Pierre Guariche 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Stockholm, SE
Very rare French mid century sculptural coffee side table in oak wood and white lacquered metal by Pierre Guariche for Aibourne France, 1950s. In good vintage condition with patina f...
Metal
Sold
H 137.8 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in
Small side table ’VOLANTE’ for Seige Steiner by Pierre Guariche , 1960s , France
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Small side table ’VOLANTE’ for Seige Steiner by Pierre Guariche , 1960s , France There are 3 holes in the top plate. Please check image.
Metal
Prefacto Side Table by Pierre Guariche for Airborne, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in PARIS, FR
Prefacto side table by Pierre Guariche for Airborne in the 1950s. The base is in varnished oak. Black lacquered tubular legs. Good vintage condition.
Metal
Sold
H 13.98 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in
Pair of " Volante" Side Tables by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1950
By Siege Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Pair of " Volante " black side tables by Pierre Guariche, edited by Steiner. Composed of a tubular base in black lacquered metal, and a tray lined with black formica. Original form...
Metal
Pierre Guariche ”VOLANTE” Table for Steiner, 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Pierre Guariche «VOLANTE» table for Steiner, 1950s. Side table designed by Pierre Guariche. Simple design with a melanin-coated wooden top and black painted steel legs. The labe...
Iron
Sold
H 13.98 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in
Set of 6 " Volante" Side Tables by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, France, 1950
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Set of 6 black side tables " Volante " by Pierre Guariche, edited by Steiner. Composed of a tubular base in black lacquered metal, and a tray in black formica. Label of the manufac...
Iron
Pierre Guariche ≪VOLANTE≫ Table for Steiner
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
1950s / France Size W395 D395 H355 mm The VolanteSide table designed by Pierre Guariche. Made of melanin-applied wooden top and black painted steel legs.
Iron
Pierre Guariche Reversible Side Table Black, Circa 1975
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Reversible Guariche side table Circa 1975 One side is in black melamine, the other in "cushion" fabric Black lacquered metal legs Dimensions: 44 x 42 x H38.
Metal
Pierre Guariche Side Table, Circa 1975
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Saint ouen, FR
Pierre Guariche side table Circa 1975 Black melamine Black lacquered metal foot Dimensions: 44 x 42 x H 38.
Metal
Sold
H 13.98 in W 15.56 in D 15.56 in
Pierre Guariche, Pair of White Flying Table for Steiner, France, 1955
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Beautiful pair of white flying tables designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1955 Pierre Guariche (1925-1995) is a legendary French designer from the 2...
Metal
Pair of Pierre Guariche "VOLANTE" Tables for Steiner
By Steiner, Pierre Guariche
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Pierre Guariche "VOLANTE" tables for Steiner. Designed in 1950. Pair of the black one and the white one.
Metal