10 “Coquillage” model chairs by Pierre Guariche for Meurop

10 rigid black plastic chairs on metal tubular base. “Coquillage” model, designed by Pierre Guariche for Meurop in the mid-1960s.

• H 75 cm x W 43 cm x Seat H 43 cm

Pierre Guariche’s Coquillage chairs for Meurop, a modernist design classic

Designed by Pierre Guariche in the early 1960s for Belgian publisher Meurop, the Coquillage chairs rank among the most significant achievements of European industrial design. These chairs illustrate the designer’s commitment to making contemporary furniture accessible through rational manufacturing, innovative materials, and a design where every detail serves a precise function.

The Coquillage chairs featured in the June 1968 Meurop catalog ©

Their shell is made of injection-molded polypropylene, a material still rarely used in domestic furniture at the time. Lightweight, durable, and suited to mass production, it creates a comfortable seat with enveloping forms while maintaining great visual refinement. The large circular perforations, which became the model’s signature, lighten the chair’s silhouette, promote seat ventilation, and allow water drainage, making these chairs perfectly suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

Resting on a black lacquered tubular steel base, the Coquillage chairs naturally integrate into the modernist aesthetic developed by Pierre Guariche at Meurop. They notably complement the Bridge table, the 68 trolley table, and several furniture ranges published by the Belgian brand during the 1960s.

Introduced in 1961, the Coquillage chair underwent several evolutions during its production. The early versions were progressively replaced, from 1968 onward, by the variant with large circular perforations. The following year saw the introduction of a stackable version marketed under the name Deauville, while a model with armrests was also offered in the catalog.

More than sixty years after their creation, the Coquillage chairs remain one of Pierre Guariche’s most iconic creations. Their balance of technical innovation, user comfort, and clean lines makes them an essential reference in 1960s modernist furniture, particularly sought after by enthusiasts of French and Belgian design.