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.
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
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
"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
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
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
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
$1,511
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 33.47 in
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table by Pierre Guariche, France, c. 1950s
By Pierre Guariche
Located in London, GB
A small French black iron and glass coffee table attributed to Pierre Guariche.
Metal
Square Italian Mid-Century Modern Travertine Side Table
By Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern single pedestal Italian travertine square side table.
Travertine
$4,101Sale 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
Burlwood Side Table, France 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Live edge burl wood side table on tripod tapered legs.
Burl
Metal + Aqua Glass Top Square Side Table, France 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1960s Modernist square side table sourced in the South of France. The aqua hued, frosted glass top features a chiseled geometric motif – giving the piece captivating texture. An ‘X...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern French Folding Side Table, Metal, Circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
French folding table made by unknown designer. Manufactured in France, circa 1960. In great original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful p...
Metal
$4,800
H 17.25 in W 16.125 in D 16.125 in
Guillerme & Chambron, Side Table, Oak, Ceramic, France, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
An oak and painted ceramic tile side table designed and produced by Guillerme & Chambron, France, c. 1960s. Dimensions: 17.25” H x 16.125” W x 16.125” D
Ceramic, Oak
$1,850
H 15 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Vallauris Side Table, Metal & Ceramic, France, 1970
Located in Austin, TX
Side table with tiled top from Vallauris on the French Riviera. The table has a structure that is made of metal. The top is hand-crafted and layered with glazed ceramic with green; o...
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
$1,734 / set
H 14.18 in W 23.63 in D 24.41 in
Pair of 3-legged side tables - in the style of Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Linkebeek, BE
In the spirit of Pierre Chapo T23A table Measures : 62x60cm H:36cm Material : Wood With their Scandinavian-inspired design, these coffee tables instantly bring a Mid-Century Modern...
Wood
$1,695
H 24.5 in W 27 in D 27 in
Tomlinson Furniture Mid-Century Rosewood and Walnut Square Side Table
By Tomlinson
Located in Germantown, MD
Tomlinson Furniture Mid-Century Rosewood and Walnut Square Side Table Measures 27" in width and 24.5" in height and 27" in depth.
Rosewood, Walnut
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 16 in W 24 in D 24 in
Mid Century Modern Square Glass and Chrome Tube Side Table
By Pace Collection
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Square thick clear Glass and Chrome Tube side Table. Very high quality metal fabrication with chrome plating base with 3/4" t...
Chrome
Sold
H 7.49 in W 13.78 in D 13.78 in
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
Sold
H 13 in W 31.5 in D 21.26 in
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
Side table by Pierre Guariche for Trefac / Meuro
By Pierre Guariche, Meurop, Trefac
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
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 Pierre Guariche, Siege Steiner
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
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
Pierre Guariche, Black Side Table for Steiner, France, 1950
By Pierre Guariche, Steiner
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Beautiful small black side table designed by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, 1950s Pierre Guariche (1925-1995) is a legendary French designer from the 20th century. He gave a personal ...
Metal