Cansado Sideboard by Charlotte Perriand, France - 1950s

Description

Designed circa 1958, the Cansado sideboard belongs to a furniture programme developed by Charlotte Perriand for Cité Cansado, a residential settlement in Mauritania established for employees of the mining company MIFERMA. The project extended Perriand's longstanding commitment to creating practical, accessible furniture adapted to modern living. Produced through the Parisian gallery Steph Simon, the Cansado collection brought principles of standardisation and functional organisation into domestic interiors, with furniture conceived as part of a broader architectural environment.

The sideboard combines a rectilinear wooden structure with sliding doors and a carefully organised interior, allowing storage to be accessed without requiring additional clearance in front of the cabinet. Contrasting panels introduce a measured visual rhythm across the horizontal composition, while the integrated handles maintain the simplicity of the overall design. Its construction demonstrates Perriand's interest in the relationship between material, proportion and everyday use, where individual components contribute to a coherent and adaptable piece of furniture.

GW4523