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.
"Box Chair" by Pierre Jeanneret, circa 1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in London, GB
Authentic Chandigarh 'Box' chair in teak, circa 1960. PJ-SI-54-A. Made in richly coloured teak, lightly restored and re-caned to retain as much of the chair’s original patina as p...
Cane, Teak
"Box Chair" by Pierre Jeanneret, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
Authentic Chandigarh 'Box' chair in teak, circa 1960. PJ-SI-54-A. Made in richly coloured teak, lightly restored and re-caned to retain as much of the chair’s original patina as p...
Cane, Teak
"Office Armchair" by Pierre Jeanneret, circa 1955
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in London, GB
Authentic 'Office Chair' from the administrative buildings of Chandigarh (Ref. PJ-SI-28-B). In excellent condition - joints have been restored and cane work replaced. Pierre Jeanneret (22 March 1896 - 4 December 1967) was a Swiss architect who collaborated with his cousin, Le Corbusier, designing furniture for Le Corbusier's vast modernist complex at Chandigarh. Jeanneret remained for over 15 years as the project’s chief architect and the city remains a masterpiece of the modern vision. The pair pioneered a new aesthetic that placed function and order over embellishment—Jeanneret’s work imbuing the strict geometry of modernism with lighter materials like cane and wood. Jeanneret also collaborated with other modern masters, Charlotte Perriand on experiments in aluminium and wood, and Jean Prouve developing prefabricated housing. Literature: Catalogue Raisonné du Mobilier: Jeanneret Chandigarh, 2019. Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, The Indian Adventure...
Cane, Teak
Easy Chair in Sissoo by Pierre Jeanneret c.1955
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in London, GB
Wonderful original Easy Chair designed by Pierre Jeanneret. Model no. PJ-SI-29-A. The Easy Chair is masterpiece of modernist design, comfortable and practical, showcasing Jeanneret’s iconic “compass” style, with triangular-section legs, curved backrest and sloping armrests. Made in richly coloured Sissoo, lightly restored and re-caned to retain as much of the chair’s original patina as possible. Pierre Jeanneret (22 March 1896 - 4 December 1967) was a Swiss architect who collaborated with his cousin, Le Corbusier, designing furniture for Le Corbusier's vast modernist complex at Chandigarh. Jeanneret remained for over 15 years as the project’s chief architect and the city remains a masterpiece of the modern vision. The pair pioneered a new aesthetic that placed function and order over embellishment—Jeanneret’s work imbuing the strict geometry of modernism with lighter materials like cane and wood. Jeanneret also collaborated with other modern masters, Charlotte Perriand on experiments in aluminium and wood, and Jean Prouve developing prefabricated housing. Literature: Catalogue Raisonné du Mobilier: Jeanneret Chandigarh, 2019. Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, The Indian Adventure...
Teak
Arts & Crafts X-Frame Stool attrib. Liberty & co.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
An early 20th Century Arts & Crafts X-Frame folding and interlocking wooden slatted stool made in oak. Probably retailed by Liberty & co. Condition: Excellent overall condition.
Oak
Pair of Arts & Crafts X-Frame Stools attrib. Liberty & co.
By Liberty & Co.
Located in London, GB
Pair of early 20th Century Arts & Crafts X-Frame folding and interlocking wooden slatted stools made in oak. Probably retailed by Liberty & co. Condition: Excellent overall condition.
Oak
D-leg Box Chair by Pierre Jeanneret, ca.1960
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Tokyo, JP
An authentic mid-century piece from Pierre Jeanneret’s legendary Chandigarh commission. Teak frame with hand-woven bamboo-rattan seat & back.
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret "Box" Desk Chair in Teak
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A teak armchair made for the Punjab University in Chandigarh, India, circa 1960. Model number PJ-SI-53-A This rare chair is in original as found condition. Only wax and oil have be...
Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-53-A Box Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern Chandigarh
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret ‘Student’ Chair, Model No. PJ-SI-25-A
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in London, Charterhouse Square
A Pierre Jeanneret ‘Student’ chair, model no. PJ-SI-25-A, in teak and rattan. Designed for the University of Panjab, Chandigarh, India, c.1958-...
Cane, Rattan, Teak
Mid Century Wooden Dining Office Chair by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh, 1950s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and decorative French mid century wooden office dining box chair in stained teak with a rattan seat and back by Pierre Jeanneret / Le Corbusier produced for Chandigarh, India ...
Rattan, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-20-A Chair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
Sculptural qualities define this object. A vivid dynamic between the different volumes and surfaces, showing different qualities from different angles. Its expressive form offers a c...
Cane, Teak
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
The Antwerp-based designer lends his unique touch to homes, boutiques and offices in Belgium, the United States and Germany, as well as furniture for B&B Italia and Molteni.
