Pair of Pierre Guariche 'Aquilon' Lounge Chairs, Les Huchers-Minvielle, 1960s

This exceptionally rare pair of lounge chairs was designed by Pierre Guariche. The model, known as ‘Aquilon’ (CA-21), was produced by Les Huchers-Minvielle, France, in the mid-1960s.

The design is built around an X-shaped base in sapele mahogany veneer, with a warm tone and striking grain. The upholstered seat and backrest are both buttoned, the backrest appearing as a loose cushion though it is in fact fixed in place. The ‘Aquilon’ was originally conceived by Guariche as part of a modular seating program, with matching sofas and low tables sharing the same X-crossed base. The geometric, architectural lines of the upholstery, in combination with the angularity of the frames, give the chairs a distinctly modern presence.

The chairs are in very good, fully restored condition. The upholstery has been renewed following the exact original design. The fabric is Dedar’s Mélange Moderne, a linen weave whose melange effect gives the surface a mottled look, pairing saturated tones with lighter passages from a pale warp thread, in a warm straw (‘paglia’) color. The wooden bases have been fully restored, with minor wear/patina consistent with age and use.

Literature: Delphine Jacob, Lionel Blaisse, Aurélien Jeauneau, Pierre Guariche, Éditions Norma, Paris, 2020, the model pictured on pages 158, 159, 191, 306