An exceptional original group of Pierre Jeanneret Kangaroo seating, dating from circa 1955 and comprising a two-seat Kangaroo Sofa together with a pair of Kangaroo Chairs. The three pieces were purchased together from the same private residence in Chandigarh, India, where they had remained as a group.

Constructed from solid Burmese teak with cane seats and backs, the sofa and chairs share the distinctive low profile associated with Jeanneret’s Kangaroo design. Viewed from the side, the broad teak supports create the recognisable Z-shaped silhouette, while the gently curved back rails and deeply reclined seats soften what is otherwise a remarkably simple and architectural construction.

The exceptionally low seating position relates closely to the Indian tradition of sitting either on the floor or very close to it. Much of the lounge seating designed for Chandigarh followed this principle. Despite their low and strongly reclined appearance, Kangaroo Chairs are surprisingly comfortable and extremely ergonomic, even for a taller sitter. The angle of the seat and back naturally supports the body and makes considerably more sense once you actually sit in one.

The two-seat Kangaroo Sofa is considerably rarer than the individual chairs and, for us, is what makes this group especially appealing. We particularly like seeing the sofa together with the two corresponding chairs, where the repetition of the low profile, angled sides and cane panels creates a very coherent group. It is increasingly unusual to find a sofa and two chairs that have remained together as an original suite rather than being assembled from individual examples at a later date.

The Burmese teak has a warm and varied patina, with differences in tone across the three pieces that have developed naturally through decades of use. They appear to retain their original finish and have been carefully cleaned and waxed rather than stripped or refinished. We have deliberately preserved the variation in colour, surface wear and other signs of age that give the group its individuality.

All of the wooden components are original to the pieces. There is evidence of historical restoration to the timber, which we have chosen to retain rather than disguise, as we feel these earlier repairs form part of the history of furniture that has been used for around seventy years. The group has been conserved by our trusted conservator and is structurally solid. The cane has been replaced and carefully toned to sit naturally alongside the aged teak rather than having the very pale appearance of newly woven cane.

We really like this group and consider the three pieces exceptional examples of Jeanneret’s Chandigarh furniture. The combination of the considerably rarer two-seat sofa, the two chairs, their shared provenance and the survival of their original timber and finish makes the group especially appealing. They have considerable presence when seen together, which is one of the reasons we particularly like the group as a complete suite.

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 attribution, provenance or restoration of our Chandigarh 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.