●Masterpiece Chairs of Museums #01● The National Museum of Western Art

The National Museum of Western Art

Architect: Le Corbusier
Opened: 1959

・3 FAUTEUIL GRAND CONFORT, GRAND MODÈLE (LC3) Sofa

Designers: Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1928
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥2,783,000(as of 2026)

A sofa that sits at the exit of the permanent exhibition gallery.
Since the Western Art Museum was designed by Corbusier, many chairs related to Corbusier are placed here.
Although the naming of the LC series has changed at Cassina in recent years, this is what is known as the former LC3.
While many of these chairs have chrome-plated frames, this particular piece is a special-order import specification with a light blue painted frame.
Although Corbusier's name is also listed in the credits, it is considered to be actually designed by Charlotte Perriand.

It has been nearly 100 years since its release, and the fact that it still exudes a charming presence without fading at all is based on the strength of the original design, but at the same time, the power of Cassina, which thoroughly researches its context and significance, is also significant.

・1 FAUTEUIL DOSSIER BASCULANT (LC1) Chair

Designers: Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1928
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥847,000(as of 2026)

A masterpiece chair representing the 20th century that is also in the MoMA collection.
Personally, I don't find it very comfortable to sit in.
The backrest wobbles, and the angle of the seat is too steep, which doesn't feel right.
But that is not the true value of a masterpiece chair.
I have one at home, but it sits in the living room mostly for display.
Just by being there, it changes the atmosphere of the room and makes the space more vibrant.
It enriches life and the heart.
Isn't it truly wonderful that a design from about 100 years ago still has such power today?

・2 FAUTEUIL GRAND CONFORT, PETIT MODÈLE (LC2) Single Sofa

Designers: Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1928
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥1,672,000(as of 2026)

This is also a 20th-century masterpiece in the MoMA collection.
Corbusier's quote, "A house is a machine for living in," also applies to these chairs, which eliminate decoration and pursue functionality.
Like the LC3, this is a special-order import specification with a light blue painted frame.
Personally, I prefer the opaque painted frame over the shiny chrome-plated one.
Compared to the LC3, it is narrower, the seat is higher, and it sinks in more, giving it a sense of being wrapped.
Opinions are divided between the LC2 and LC3, but I prefer the LC3 with its lower seat.

・8 TABOURET TOURNANT, DURABLE (LC8) Stool

Designer: Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1929
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥572,000 (as of 2026)

A backless version of the LC7.
When you sit on it, the seat is unexpectedly wide, and it rotates, making it very convenient to use.

・VENTAGLIO Table

Designer: Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1972
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥3,047,000 (as of 2026)

The table is the credited solely to Charlotte Perriand VENTAGLIO.
A table she designed for her own villa after becoming independent from Le Corbusier's office.
In this space, two tables, one black and one natural, are lined up.
Two tables for a total of ¥4,950,000!
In 1940, at the invitation of Junzo Sakakura, Perriand came to Japan as an advisor for export craft guidance and traveled throughout Japan guided by Sori Yanagi and others, exerting a major influence on modern Japanese design.

・10 TABLE EN TUBE (LC10) W700 Table

Designer: Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand
Released: 1929
Manufacturer: Cassina
Price: ¥660,000 (as of 2026)

Even this casual glass table is a genuine Cassina LC piece.

・USM Haller

Designer: Fritz Haller
Released: 1965
Manufacturer: USM
W350mm x H350mm x D500mm
4-column 3-tier module, glass specification
Price: Approx. ¥1,000,000(As of 2026)

It has no direct connection to Le Corbusier, but perhaps they are linked by the use of pipes. The worldview is similar. In any case,

this is also a masterpiece among masterpieces. You can freely rearrange the shape using pipes and panels of various lengths. It is used in various places such as public institutions, offices, shops, and private homes. I also use several of them at home

.

USM Haller is irresistibly fun to assemble and disassemble.
The manufacturer does not recommend it, but the necessary set of tools can be obtained at a home improvement store, and once you get used to it, you can make various arrangements. There are
new discoveries every time you assemble it and I am impressed by its design philosophy. It is truly
Lego for adults.

・GUARDI Low Table/Bench

Designer: Philippe Hurel
Manufacturer: PHILIPPE HUREL (handled by Cassina ixc.)
Price: ¥418,000(As of 2025)

It is used extensively as a main bench at the National Museum of Western Art, but as of 2026, it is no longer sold on the official website. Although it is connected through Cassina, Philippe Hurel has no direct relationship with Le Corbusier and others, so the context is somewhat weak.

If I were to place a bench in this museum, I think this one would be more appropriate for the Le Corbusier context.

・Ulm Stool

Designer: Max Bill
Released: 1954
Manufacturer: wb form
Price: ¥62,700(As of 2026)

The masterpiece Ulm Stool is casually lined up.

・Summary

The National Museum of Western Art has carefully selected furnishings that capture the context of Le Corbusier. They are truly
chairs that demonstrate their true value by being placed in this space. However, while the Ulm stool is a masterpiece, it feels a bit out of place in this flow. It would have been better to just unify everything with Le Corbusier. Like this one, for example. ↓

The building itself is the only Le Corbusier building in Japan and is also registered as a World Heritage site. While making the most of that overwhelming advantage, I would like them to be even more thorough with the chairs and furnishings by teaming up closely with Cassina, which holds the only official license for Le Corbusier. By incorporating chairs by Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret, for which Cassina also holds official licenses, and strongly promoting the
historical significance of their designs, I believe they could convey not only the architecture but also the importance of Le Corbusier and his peers in the context of design. That should be a mission imposed not only on the museum side but also on the Cassina side.
a mission imposed not only on the museum side but also on the Cassina side.

【Museum Masterpiece Chairs】 Summary Magazine ↓