Designed in 1954 by Pierre Guariche for Steiner, the Tonneau chair stands alongside icons like Amsterdam, Tulipe, and Vampire as a hallmark of 20th-century design. It was created in response to the post-war demand for affordable, mass-produced furniture while maintaining high standards of comfort and aesthetics.
Featuring a soft, rounded, and sensual molded plywood shell, Tonneau offers exceptional comfort. Its sleek, modern aesthetic is further defined by a thin black tubular metal base. As the first French mass-produced plywood chair, its design showcases innovative craftsmanship: the seat is formed from a single piece of molded plywood, with its disjointed ends joined by visible screws. A black leather pad rests atop the seat, providing additional comfort.
To suit contemporary body shapes, the seat height has been adjusted. Originally secured by strings, the leather pad is now fixed with Velcro for ease of use. The shell is made of molded plywood with a stained beech veneer, while the base is black lacquered steel. In the carver chair version, solid stained beech armrests add both elegance and support.
The seat pad is crafted from semi-aniline full-grain goatskin leather, filled with CM 50 kg/m³ polyurethane foam, and secured beneath the seat with two Velcro ties. The armrests are positioned at a height of 25 1/4″, ensuring ergonomic support.
Recognized for its durability and quality, the Tonneau chair has successfully passed the relevant FCBA tests, confirming its suitability for contract use.
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.
