Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret
LC4 Chaise Longue
Replica
Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand
1928
Legendary French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier began experimenting with furniture in 1928, after his architect cousin Pierre Jeanneret and designer Charlotte Perriand joined his studio. The LC range of seating, the first results of their collaboration, was designed in 1928. They set out to design chairs which would be suitable for “conversation, relaxing and sleeping”. The collaboration would go on to include some of the most iconic furniture designs in modern history. The LC4 was inspired by the 18th-centry chaise longue (“long chair” in English) and has become an icon of Modernist furniture. Charlotte Perriand’s use of tubular steel – previously reserved for industrial use – and sleek black leather was radical for the time. Its exposed framework made it look like a piece of equipment. The LC4 not only looked good, it was also supremely comfortable, prompting Le Corbusier to describe it as a “true resting machine”.
“A true resting machine.”
Le Corbusier, on the LC4
The LC4 Chaise Lounge, like much of the LC range, is on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
It features in the feature films 9 ½ weeks and Chloe.
Charlotte Perriand posed on the chaise lounge for publicity pictures in what was then considered a daringly short skirt and an unconventional ball bearing necklace designed by Charlotte herself. The controversial pictures contributed to the LC4’s fame.
We are told the LC4 also regularly features in movies of the adult variety, but we wouldn’t want to get involved in any of that…
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Classic Comfort
The LC4 was designed with comfort in mind. In it, the individual can sit in an upright or completely reclined position, as well as anywhere in-between, thanks to the innovative design of the frame. It sports a leather cushion headrest which is adjustable and padded with polyurethane foam to support the head and neck. The polyurethane mattress extends the length of the chair and is supported by elastic straps which conform to the human shape.
Quality and Craftsmanship
Sweeping lengths of chrome-plated tubular steel form the seat and gives the LC4 its graceful shape. The seat rests on a black steel cradle underneath. As the adjustable seat is made from tubular steel, it is lightweight and allows for easy adjustment. The legs and cradle, which remains stationary, is made from hefty black enameled steel. The mattress and headcushion is made from high resilience polyurethane foam and is upholstered in top grain Italian leather.
While primarily known as an architect, Le Corbusier was ultimately influential across many fields as he used his skill at design, writing and urban planning to promote the use of modern materials and methods for bettering living conditions in cities. In 1922, Le Corbusier began working with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, and they continued sharing projects and ideas all their professional lives. In October 1927, young architect Charlotte Perriand was noticed by the two cousins, and a prolific collaboration, with a particular focus on furniture design, lasted between the three designers until 1937.
“While our chair designs were directly related to the position of the human body… they were also determined by the requirements of architecture, setting, and prestige.”
Charlotte Perriand
Product Literature
The base of the LC4 is cast from black enamel steel that has a matt finish and stands stationary. A frame of chrome-plated tubular steel is bent, put together and balanced on top of the stationary base. A multitude of elastic straps are spanned and fastened between the tubular steel pipes. This netting supports a cut polyurethane foam mattress and a polyester padded bolster headcushion, both buckled to the frame and upholstered in black top grain Italian leather. Our reproduction of the LC4 Chaise Lounge is faithful to the original design.
Product Materials
Upholstery: Top grain Italian leather
Frame: Chrome plated tubular steel
Base: Black enamel steel
Mattress: Polyurethane foam
Headrest: Polyester padding
Product Dimensions
Height: 27 – 69cm
Width: 56cm
Length: 160cm
Carrying weight: 140kg
Weight as shipped: 50kg
Care Instructions
Leather:
Occasionally remove dust from the leather with a damp, lint-free cloth. Small soiled spots can be gently removed with a colourless eraser. Liquid spills should be immediately dabbed dry and wiped off with a little water. Once a year, the leather should be treated with a special leather care product, but never with any type of strong cleansing agent. Only use quality leather products which do not leave residue. Oily build-up on the leather makes it susceptible to bacteria, which can destroy the leather. Clean the stitching with a soft-bristle brush.
Make sure that your leather furniture is not positioned close to heat sources, so that it does not dry out and become brittle. In addition, we recommend that leather surfaces are not permanently exposed to intense sunlight, because direct sunlight over an extended time period can diminish the quality of the leather.
Leather can be treated occasionally with conditioners to keep it in its original state. Liquid spills should be blotted up immediately, not wiped. For daily cleaning, dust leather with a soft cloth.
Metal:
Do not use an abrasive material on the metal. Clean the item with a mild detergent and water. Dilute in the mild detergent in water so it is not too harsh on the metal. You can dip a soft-bristled toothbrush in the solution or a non-abrasive pad and use it to scrub off any residue or dirt on the item. Scrub the item with a soft toothbrush or a non-abrasive pad. Dry any residual moisture with a soft, dry cloth.