Pierre Guariche, for Les Huchers-Minvielle

PIERRE GUARICHE (Paris, 1926 – Bandol, France, 1995) for Les Huchers-Minvielle.
“Aquilon” coffee table, ca. 1960.
Teak wood, white laminate, and clear glass top.
Shows slight scuffs.
Measurements: 34 x 70 x 70 cm.

The “Aquilon” coffee table is a representative example of modern French design from the 1960s, characterized by formal simplicity and the pursuit of innovative structural solutions. Designed by Pierre Guariche for Les Huchers-Minvielle, it stands out for its original geometric structure and balanced combination of materials.

The piece features a structure of intersecting wooden planes that form a base with a striking architectural presence. The side panels support a square top made of clear glass, while a white laminate base introduces chromatic hallmarks that accentuate the visual lightness of the piece. Its design reflects the functionalist principles that shaped the renewal of French domestic furniture in the postwar period.

Pierre Guariche was a leading figure in 20th-century French design. Trained at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, he built a distinguished career in the fields of furniture and lighting, collaborating with firms such as Steiner, Airborne, Disderot, and Les Huchers-Minvielle. His work is characterized by structural clarity and functionality and is represented in institutions such as the Centre Pompidou and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.