Tonneau Dining chair

Designed in 1954 by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, the Tonneau chair stands as a true icon of 20th-century design, alongside its companions Amsterdam, Tulipe, and Vampire. It perfectly embodies the post-war design principles, focusing on mass production and affordability without compromising on style or comfort.

The Tonneau chair is distinguished by its soft, curved, and sensual molded plywood shell, which offers exceptional comfort. Its modern and refined aesthetic is enhanced by a sleek black tubular metal base. As the first French mass-produced plywood chair, it represents a significant innovation in furniture design. The seat is crafted from a single-piece molded plywood shell with disjointed ends connected by visible screws. A leather pad rests on the seat, providing additional comfort.

Over time, the chair has been adapted to contemporary ergonomic needs, with a slightly raised seat. The leather pad, which was originally attached with strings, is now secured with Velcro for added practicality. The shell is made of molded plywood with a stained beech veneer, while the base features black lacquered steel. In the carver version, the armrests are crafted from solid stained beech. The seat pad is upholstered in black semi-aniline full-grain goatskin leather, with a CM 50 kg/m³ polyurethane foam interior, attached beneath the seat using two Velcro ties. The wraparound pads enhance the overall comfort and support.

With armrests positioned at a height of 25 1/4’’, the Tonneau chair is not only a design masterpiece but also a functional and durable seating solution. It has successfully passed FCBA testing, confirming its suitability for contract use.

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Meet the designer

Pierre Guariche

Born in 1926, Pierre Guariche was a visionary designer who left a lasting mark on modern furniture design. He studied at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs, graduating in 1949, before joining the studio of Marcel Gascoin. Early in his career, he showcased his designs at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs and the Salon des Arts Ménagers.

In 1953, Guariche created the iconic Tonneau chair for Steiner, initially produced in plastic and later, in 1954, in bent plywood. The following year, he co-founded the Atelier de Recherche Plastique alongside Joseph-André Motte and Michel Mortier, a collective dedicated to design innovation. By 1957, he had taken on the role of Artistic Director at furniture manufacturer Meurop, further cementing his influence in the field.

Beyond his design work, Guariche was committed to education, sharing his expertise with students at the École Supérieure d’Architecture de Tournai and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. He was known for his ability to merge aesthetics with mass production, always striving to create functional, innovative, and stylish pieces that met the needs of his time. Among his most celebrated creations are the Tonneau chair (1953, 1954), the Tulipe chair (1956), and the Président desk (1961), all of which have become design classics.

Tonneau Dining chair

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