If his famed cousin and longtime colleague Charles-Édouard Jeanneret — better known as Le Corbusier — was the visionary, then Pierre Jeanneret was the member of the architecture and design team who got things done. In recent years, Jeanneret has emerged from Le Corbusier’s shadow, as collectors have discovered his simple and striking chairs, benches, coffee tables and other furniture creations.
Jeanneret studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Geneva and after he graduated in 1921 he became a partner in Le Corbusier’s office in Paris. The pair collaborated on numerous residential projects, most notably the Villa Savoye, the iconic modernist house in suburban Paris completed in 1931.
Jeanneret also worked with the great Charlotte Perriand on the Grand Modele line of tubular metal furnishings that was a sensation at the annual Salon d’Automne design expo in 1929. A rift developed between Jeanneret and his cousin during World War II, as the former joined the French resistance, while Le Corbusier cooperated with the occupying authorities in Vichy. The two did not work together again until 1950, when Le Corbusier persuaded Jeanneret to help execute the master plan for the new city of Chandigarh in Punjab, India. Jeanneret lived and worked there until the final years of his life.
A hallmark of Jeanneret’s furniture designs is his great sensitivity to materials. In contrast to the tubular-steel chairs produced by Marcel Breuer and other members of the Bauhaus, the chromed metal pieces designed by Jeanneret and Perriand — including such as the now-classic LC4 chaise longue and the Grand Confort lounge chair — have a sensuous, relaxed and welcoming look. Conversely, while Jeanneret uses essentially geometric forms for his wooden seating pieces, they exude warmth by nature of the material.
One of Jeanneret’s first manufactured designs in wood is the Model 92 Scissors chair, licensed by Hans and Florence Knoll when they were touring postwar France. But Jeanneret’s finest work in furniture was done in Chandigarh, and these are the pieces that have earned him recent renown.
Crafted of teak, the Chandigarh designs range from low-slung lounge chairs and armchairs with cane seats to desks and tables, most with Jeanneret’s signature drafting compass-shaped legs. Many such pieces on the market today are refurbished, having been found by dealers languishing in scrapyards in India in the late 1990s. Chandigarh is now taking better care of its modernist heritage, making available Jeanneret works all the rarer.
Find authentic vintage Pierre Jeanneret chairs, case pieces, tables and other furniture today on 1stDibs.
High court 3-Part Desk by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, India, Circa 1957-58
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Crafted in teak wood. Letter : HC/C/018 (High Court Punjab/Cabinet N°18) HC/C/22(2) (High Cou...
Teak
Architectural 3-Part Desk by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, India, Circa 1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Crafted in teak wood. Letter : CCA/T/110 (Chandigarh College of Architecture/Table N °110)
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TAT-13-D Console Desk / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the legs and the tabletop ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Bot...
Teak
Large console model TAT-13-DA with "Y" type base by Pierre Jeanneret, Midcentury
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
PIERRE JEANNERET (1896-1967) PJ TAT 13 D Double "Committee desk/console", circa 1955 Solid teak table or console with a rectangular top on a profiled "Y" base with two braces. Restoration: this item has been restored. Signs of age and wear. Model made for the Assembly of Chandigarh Bibliography Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Teak
3-Part Desk With 3-Round Legs by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, Circa 1958-60
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Crafted in teak wood. Letter : D.P.I(S)Pb( ) / (UNIDENTIFIED)
Teak
$14,900
H 28.35 in W 36.03 in D 36.03 in
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TA-04-A Square Table / Authentic Mid-Century Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The piece embodies minimalist design principles, characterized by a clear shape and simplified form with subtle detailing. It is reduced to the minimum. Compared to most minimalist d...
Teak
$1,028
H 29.93 in W 47.25 in D 15.75 in
VENETIAN GLASS MIRRORED DRESSING TABLE BASE WiTH THREE LARGE DRAWERS CONSOLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Contemporary Venetian Mirrored Beveled glass Dressing table base which can be used as a Console ...
Mirror
$34,000
H 28.35 in W 48.04 in D 32.29 in
Pierre Jeanneret original PJ-BU-02-A Pigeonhole Desk, Mid-Century Modern.
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
This iconic original PJ-BU-02-A / Pigeonhole desk in teak by legendary designer Pierre Jeanneret. Dark brown re-covered leather top. A single drawer and open pigeonhole shelving. Jeanneret was commissioned by the city of Chandigarh, India, to build and design for the Punjab University Administrative buildings and a few private residences. They were produced between circa 1952 and 1957. Chair seen in pictures is not included but can be bought at 1stDibs Ref: LU7480248866122 . Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Leather, Teak
$2,800Sale Price|31% Off
H 35.44 in W 58.27 in D 14.97 in
Midcentury Italian Mirror Console Table with Marble Top and Base
By Cantu
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Significant lacquered parchment and marble console table made in Cantu, Italy in 1959. Cantú was for a long time a center for furniture production of importance designed by great des...
Marble
Pierre Jeanneret - Authentic PJ-TAT-08-B
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Hasselt, VLI
Teak Library Table circa 1955–56 by Pierre Jeanneret - model PJ-TAT-08-B This model was produced in several variants and dimensions for Chandigarh’s public institutions. The detacha...
Teak
Vintage French Console Table by Pierre Vandel
By Pierre Vandel
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage French console table by Pierre Vandel. This was made in Paris, it dates from the 1970’s. The design is beautiful and practical, the frame is mad...
Aluminum
$971Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.75 in W 52 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Console Table, Metal and Glass, Chrome Caps, 1990s
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Metal
$1,425Sale Price|50% Off
H 29 in W 54 in D 18 in
Pace Collection Brass and Glass Console Table, Mid-Century Modern
By Pace Collection
Located in Dallas, TX
Elegant console in brass finish and glass top by Pace. Very well made. Brass finish is shiny and shows very nicely.
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Brass, Wood and Glass Console Table
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage Italian very solid and heavy, brass, wood and glass console table from 1970's. The top of this console is in glass. The structure is combined with laquered dark brown color w...
Brass
Organic Modern Inlaid Mahogany Console Table / Dining / Desk
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This table is incredible! The size makes it versatile but in a different way. The outer portion is mahogany, and the triangles are a mix of woods. It is unmarked and in very good con...
Ebony, Mahogany, Satinwood
Pierre Jeanneret Pigeonhole Desk
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pierre Jeanneret (1896-1967) played a pivotal role in modernism, notably in collaboration with his cousin Le Corbusier. Together, they articulated modernist architectural principles in "Five Points Towards a New Architecture" (1926). They later designed Chandigarh, a utopian modernist city in India. Jeanneret's acclaimed furniture designs for its administrative buildings include the pigeonhole desk...
Leather, Teak
Unique Console Table with Iron Base
Located in Nijlen, BE
This unique combination of old iron and old beechwood makes a very elegant console table of 78 cm high. The legs elegantly lift the whole. The table was used by a Belgian artist as...
Iron
Sold
H 29.14 in W 48.04 in D 23.82 in
V-leg Desk With hole by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, India, Circa 1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Crafted in teak wood.
Teak
Sold
H 27.76 in W 48.04 in D 24.02 in
V-leg Student desk by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, India, Circa 1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Crafted in teak wood.
Teak