Restoring Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand's LC1 "Basculant"

Restoring an LC1 “Basculant”

The LC1 “Armchair with a Tilting Back” (“Siège à Dossier Basculant”), also known as the “Basculant”, became an icon of 20th century design.

Made originally of canvas and chrome-plated tubular steel — at the time considered revolutionary in a domestic setting — it was modified later with leather or pony hide. It was designed by Pierre Jeanneret, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret (“Le Corbusier”), and Charlotte Perriand in 1928 and presented at the Salon d’Automne in Paris in 1929. The functional geometrical lines make it simply beautiful, even today — nearly a century later.

The chair in the photos had been languishing in a cellar for some time, rusting away, with its leather and springs no longer serviceable. Dario restored it more faithfully to the original than a previous restorer had — including the use of original Cassina springs.

Click on any photo to see a slideshow.

Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 "Basculant" – before and after – beginning
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 “Basculant” – before and after – beginning
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 "Basculant" chair – arm detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 “Basculant” chair – arm detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 "Basculant" – before and after – front detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 “Basculant” – before and after – front detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 "Basculant" – before and after – side detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 “Basculant” – before and after – side detail
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 "Basculant" – before and after – side
Jeanneret, Le Corbusier and Perriand LC1 “Basculant” – before and after – side