CHARLOTTE PERRIAND, PIERRE JEANNERET, LE CORBUSIER, 1928
Object
The LC1 Fauteuil Dossier Basculant is a beautiful and disruptive chair designed by Le Corbusier in collaboration with Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand—a trio responsible for all the furniture bearing the signature of the renowned Swiss architect, such as the iconic LC2 Grand Confort and the LC4 Chaise Longue.
Introduced at the Salon d’Automne in 1929 along with the furniture group “Equipement de l’habitation,” it represents a milestone in modernist design. Its innovative design is characterized by the use of chrome-plated tubular steel, reflecting the industrial approach and modernist aesthetic typical of the early 20th century.
The design is minimalist yet extremely functional, a testament to the creators’ philosophy that placed the human being and their needs at the center of the project, resulting in pieces that emphasize functionality and ergonomics.
One of the most distinctive features of the LC1 chair is its adjustable backrest, designed to respect the proportions of the human body. This mechanism allows the sitter to modify the angle for optimal comfort, making it ideal for conversation.
The chair’s armrests, made from sturdy leather strips, are designed to offer not only support but also versatility. They stand out for their ability to rotate around the pins that secure them, adding an element of flexibility and functionality to the design. This mobility of the armrests, in harmony with the cubically modulated structure that frames the seat, underscores Le Corbusier’s characteristic aesthetic. Due to its shape, the LC1 is also known as the “safari chair,” a model that Le Corbusier had already used in some of his interiors before 1929.
The chair has become an icon of the international style and the modernist movement, admired for its elegance and its ability to transcend trends.
LC1 In Museums
The cultural significance of the LC1 goes beyond the world of design. This piece is part of the most prestigious design collections, including the MoMA in New York, the MET, the Louvre, the Triennale di Milano, and many others.
A classic of 20th-century design, it remains a reference point in furniture design and a source of inspiration for contemporary designers.
Cassina Production, I Maestri Series
The series of tubular steel furniture presented by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand in 1929 was initially produced by the French branch of Thonet. Starting in 1965, Italian brand Cassina took over production, along with other iconic pieces by Le Corbusier and his associates, such as the famous Chaise Longue and the Grand Confort armchairs. Since 2022, Cassina has also offered new outdoor versions of these historic pieces.
Since the 1960s, Cassina has worked closely with the Le Corbusier Foundation and the heirs of Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand to produce pieces that are entirely faithful to the original designs of the three renowned architects. Every piece of furniture in this series produced by Cassina bears the signatures of the trio and the Cassina logo, stamped on one of the steel tubes that form the chair’s structure.
CHARLOTTE PERRIAND
Charlotte Perriand (1903-1999) was a brilliant and revolutionary French designer. Alongside Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, she created a series of tubular steel furniture that has become legendary. Today, it is believed that these pieces were almost entirely designed by the young Perriand, including the famous Chaise Longue and Fauteuil Grand Confort. The LC series and other iconic pieces of her furniture are now produced by Cassina as part of the “I Maestri” collection.
LE CORBUSIER
Le Corbusier (1887-1965) was one of the great artists and architects of the 20th century, a revolutionary force in the design of objects and interiors. Together with Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, he designed a series of furniture pieces that prioritize human needs and remain timeless icons nearly a century after their creation. Since the 1960s, these pieces have been produced by Cassina as the LC series within the “I Maestri” collection.
CASSINA
Founded in 1927 in Brianza by brothers Cesare and Umberto, Cassina is a benchmark for Italian design, thanks to famous collaborations with Gio Ponti, Vico Magistretti, Achille Castiglioni, and today’s leading contemporary designers. With the “I Maestri” line, Cassina also produces iconic pieces of early modernist design, such as those by Mackintosh, Rietveld, and Le Corbusier.
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Details
Cassina
The original version of the LC1 Fauteuil Dossier Basculant chair is available on Luisaviaroma.com (at the time of writing).
Dimensioni of LC1 chair:
Structure: Frame in tubular steel with a polished chrome or painted finish. Nickel-plated steel springs for securing and anchoring the upholstery.
Upholstery: Self-supporting fabric with natural leather trim, hair-on-hide leather, or self-supporting leather.
Foot: Made of plastic material with a black finish.
