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.
Pierre Jeanneret, SI-26-E original armchair / writing chair, Mid-Century Modern.
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
This iconic original armchair SI-26-E / writing chair by legendary designer Pierre Jeanneret. With rattan seating and back. One armrest with a small writing space. Authentic Mid Cen...
Teak, Rattan
Pierre Jeanneret original SI-49-A armchairs, Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pierre Jeanneret, a pair of original SI-49-A armchairs in teak and reupholstered in black leather. 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. Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Leather, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret, original armchairs SI-49-A, Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
This iconic original and very rare armchair SI-49-A by legendary designer Pierre Jeanneret. Made insolid teak with leather. Authentic Mid Century piece. With its raw simplicity it shows the true strength of simplicity like many of Jeanneret's designs for the Chanidharh project. Jeanneret was commissioned by the city of Chandigarh, India, to build and design for the Punjab University Administrative buildings and a few private residences. Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Leather, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret, original armchair SI-26-C/writing chair, Mid-Century Modern.
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
This iconic original and very rare armchair SI-26-C / writing chair by legendary designer Pierre Jeanneret. Made insolid teak with shelf under the seat. One armrest with a small writing space. Authentic Mid Century piece. With its raw simplicity it shows the true strength of simplicity like many of Jeanneret's designs for the Chanidharh project. Jeanneret was commissioned by the city of Chandigarh, India, to build and design for the Punjab University Administrative buildings and a few private residences. Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Teak
A rare highback lounge chair by Knoll, Art Deco
By Knoll, Wilhelm Knoll
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare Art Deco highback lounge chair by Wilhelm Knoll for Knoll, 1930s. Knoll was founded in 1865 by Wilhelm Knoll with the ambition to manufacture high quailty furniture. During t...
Wool, Wood
Pierre Jeanneret original SI-41-B sofa, Chandigarh, India, Mid-Century Modern.
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pierre Jeanneret, SI-41-B sofa in teak and reupholstered in black leather. 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. Provenance: Sourced from gallery Fiftiesdesign in Brest, who imported the furniture from India...
Leather, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-28-B Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual ...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-28-A Cane Office Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the elements ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both tension and...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-28-D Office Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
This item expresses a specific rawness. There is no need for precise execution or the desire to appear sophisticated. It is simple, self-evident, and direct. It is made out of basic ...
Cane, Teak
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-62-A Armchair / 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
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-SI-45-A X-Easy Armchair / Authentic Mid-Century Modern
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Zürich, CH
Rare armchair known as “Cross easy chair” in solid teak and braided canework, circa 1955-1956. We have two of them to offer. PJ-SI-45-A for Chandigarh. This chair is a fantastic pi...
Cane, 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.
