A matched original pair of Pierre Jeanneret Kangaroo Chairs, dating from circa 1955 and purchased from a private residence in Chandigarh, India.

The Kangaroo Chair is one of Jeanneret’s most distinctive low seating designs from Chandigarh. Constructed from solid Burmese teak, the chair is defined by its remarkably simple Z-shaped silhouette, with broad triangular side supports forming both the front legs and the deeply reclined frame. The seat and back are cane, while the gently curved upper back rail follows the shape of the sitter.

The exceptionally low position of the chair 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, and the Kangaroo Chair is perhaps one of its clearest expressions. Despite its low and strongly reclined appearance, it is 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.

What we particularly like about this pair is the teak. Both chairs retain a rich original patina with considerable variation in colour developed through decades of use. They appear to retain their original polished finish rather than having been stripped and refinished at a later date. We have carefully cleaned the timber and waxed over the existing surface, preserving the original finish, wear and variation in colour rather than trying to make the two chairs look artificially uniform.

The chairs have been conserved by our trusted conservator and are structurally solid. The original cane had reached the end of its usable life and has been replaced. The new cane has been carefully toned to sit naturally alongside the aged Burmese teak, rather than leaving the very pale appearance of newly woven cane.

It is also important to us that these are a matched original pair rather than two individual Kangaroo Chairs subsequently brought together. They were purchased together from the same private residence in Chandigarh and have remained together as a pair. The similarities in their construction, timber and ageing are evident, while each chair retains the individual variation that we would expect from furniture made and used in Chandigarh.

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.