A rare set of six Pierre Jeanneret Box Ladder Chairs, dating from circa 1958 and produced for Chandigarh, India.

These are an unusual variation of Jeanneret's more familiar Box Chair, distinguished by the ladder back formed from three horizontal timber rails. It is a model we have rarely encountered despite handling a large number of Pierre Jeanneret chairs over the years, and one we have always found especially appealing.

The construction is extremely simple. The square seat frame is supported by four straight legs, joined by low stretchers, while the tall rear uprights continue upwards to form the back. Between them sit three slender horizontal rails, giving the chairs their distinctive ladder-back appearance. The caned seat provides a lighter counterpoint to what is otherwise a very architectural timber structure.

For us, the proportions of these chairs are exceptionally good. The relatively narrow frame, tall open back and slender horizontal rails give them a lightness that is quite different from the more familiar Box Chair. They have a strong presence individually, but as a set of six they work fantastically well around a dining table.

The teak has developed a deep, dark patina through decades of use in Chandigarh. What we particularly like is the way the three horizontal back rails have aged. The surfaces that have been repeatedly touched and handled have worn through to reveal the warmer colour of the teak beneath. Seen across six chairs, these subtle differences are beautiful and give each chair its own character while the group remains remarkably coherent.

There are numerous other small signs of their working life throughout the frames: knocks, dents, scratches, areas of rubbing and variations in colour. We have deliberately retained this historical surface rather than attempting to make the chairs appear uniform. It is exactly this accumulated wear that we look for when buying original Chandigarh furniture.

All of the wooden components are original to the chairs. The set has been fully structurally restored by our trusted conservator, with the frames made sound before being lightly cleaned and waxed. The intention throughout the restoration was to preserve as much of the original surface and historical patina as possible.

As with our other Chandigarh seating, the cane has been replaced where necessary and carefully toned down so that it sits naturally alongside the aged teak rather than appearing conspicuously new. The chairs are now structurally sound and ready to use while retaining the considerable wear and patina acquired during their original working life.

We purchased the chairs in Chandigarh and have deliberately kept the six together as a set. Finding one example of this ladder-back variation is unusual; finding six with such closely related colour, wear and patina is considerably more difficult.

We have specialised in Pierre Jeanneret furniture for nearly nineteen years and have extensive experience in identifying, sourcing, restoring and selling his work. Given the number of later reproductions and incorrectly attributed pieces now on the market, we understand the importance of provenance, construction, materials and restoration when assessing Chandigarh furniture. We are always happy to discuss these aspects in detail and answer any questions regarding the authenticity, provenance or restoration of our Jeanneret pieces.

Viewing is warmly welcomed at our West London showroom.

High-resolution photographs, detailed condition reports and video inspections are available upon request.

We offer local, national and international shipping.

Please contact us for further information or to arrange a private viewing.