A very good example of a Pierre Jeanneret Office Chair, dating from circa 1955 and originally made for the administrative buildings of Chandigarh, India.

Constructed from solid Burmese teak, the chair has the strong architectural structure characteristic of Jeanneret’s Chandigarh furniture. The substantial horizontal armrests are supported by sharply angled uprights that continue into the splayed legs, while the rectangular seat frame is joined at the corners with exposed interlocking joints. The cane seat and gently curved cane back provide a lighter contrast to the substantial teak construction.

What we particularly like about this chair is the depth of patina across the timber. The original polished finish has worn through in many areas after decades of use, creating considerable variation in both colour and surface. There are knocks, marks and areas of wear throughout, but these are entirely consistent with the chair’s age and institutional use and are an important part of its character. The chair also retains its original institutional marking to the rear seat rail.

All of the wooden components are original to the chair. It has been carefully conserved by our trusted conservator and made structurally solid, while retaining as much of the original surface as possible. The teak has been cleaned and waxed rather than stripped or refinished, preserving the original polish where it survives together with the wear and patina that have developed over time.

The cane seat and back have been replaced, as the original cane was no longer serviceable. The new cane has been carefully toned to sit naturally alongside the aged Burmese teak rather than having the very pale appearance of newly woven cane.

As a single chair, we think this is a really good example. It has the wear and depth of patina that we look for in Chandigarh furniture, while retaining its original timber, institutional marking and much of its original finish. The restoration has concentrated on making the chair structurally sound without removing the evidence of its previous life and use.

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.