An exceptional early Library Chair, designed for Chandigarh by Pierre Jeanneret and Eulie Chowdhury and produced between 1952 and 1956 for the Punjab University.

Constructed from solid Burmese teak with a handwoven cane seat, the chair is an especially elegant example of Chandigarh furniture. Its simple, open structure and carefully balanced proportions combine architectural clarity with the warmth and practicality of the materials used throughout the Chandigarh project.

The solid teak frame has acquired a remarkable depth of patina through decades of use. This richly developed surface is an important part of the chair's individuality, providing a visual record of its age and history that cannot be reproduced in later examples.

The Library Chair was produced in Chandigarh over a number of years and has subsequently been extensively reproduced. What distinguishes early original examples such as this is the construction and detailing found in the furniture made for the Chandigarh project.

The construction of the legs is particularly important. Later examples can show changes to this area, reflecting in part the complexity and labour involved in producing the original form. These differences are subtle and easily overlooked, yet they can be significant when assessing an early example of the Library Chair.

Original technical drawings provide valuable evidence of the intended construction, proportions and detailing. The drawing reproduced in Patrick Seguin's Le Corbusier Pierre Jeanneret Chandigarh, India reveals the nuanced geometry of the design, including the taper of the seat, the curve of the backrest and the precise manner in which the front legs meet the seat frame. Even small details such as the number and placement of screws demonstrate how carefully the original chair was resolved.

The history of the Library Chair's authorship is equally interesting. For many years the model was predominantly associated with Pierre Jeanneret, while Eulie Chowdhury's contribution received considerably less recognition. Importantly, a 1961 issue of MARG explicitly names Chowdhury as the designer of the Library Chair, providing valuable contemporary evidence of her involvement in the design.

Chowdhury joined the Chandigarh team in 1951 and worked closely with both Jeanneret and Le Corbusier. She was a pioneering Indian modernist architect as well as a painter, ceramist, musician, teacher and writer, and subsequently became State Chief Architect of both Haryana and Punjab. Her contribution forms an important part of the wider history of Chandigarh and its furniture.

The model is generally identified by the reference PJ/EC-SI-51-A and was produced for a number of buildings within Chandigarh, including the Punjab University Library and the High Court. This particular example comes from the Punjab University and displays the early construction details that we look for in original examples of the chair.

As with all of our Chandigarh furniture, this example has been carefully restored and recaned in London to museum standards. It is presented in very good vintage condition, with the restoration undertaken to preserve the integrity and exceptional surface of the original piece.

We deliberately seek out heavily patinated examples. For us, the marks of use, variations in colour and accumulated surface are not imperfections to be removed, but an essential part of the beauty and authenticity of original Chandigarh furniture.

If you are looking for a pristine or newly manufactured appearance, this may not be the chair for you. If, however, you are looking for an early vintage example with genuine age, depth of patina and the unmistakable qualities of original Chandigarh furniture, it would be difficult to find a more compelling example.

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.