A large Pierre Jeanneret Work / Dining Table, dating from 1960–61 and designed for Chandigarh, India. Constructed from solid teak and thick teak veneer, it is an excellent example of the large-scale institutional furniture produced for the city.

At 244 cm long and 122 cm deep, this is a substantial table, yet the construction is remarkably restrained. The large rectangular top consists of a solid teak outer frame surrounding a thick teak-veneered central panel. It is supported at either end by pairs of gently splayed teak legs, with shaped supporting brackets beneath the top providing additional strength while keeping the space between the legs completely open.

For us, one of the most successful aspects of the design is this balance between scale and lightness. Despite the considerable size of the top, the slender splayed legs and absence of heavy stretchers give the table a surprisingly light appearance. Viewed from the side, there is very little beneath the top, while the angled legs introduce just enough geometry to give the table a strong architectural presence.

The surface is equally appealing. Decades of institutional use have given the top a rich and varied patina, with numerous scratches, dings, dents, marks and areas of darker wear remaining visible throughout. The thick teak veneer has developed considerable variation in colour, particularly across the central panel, and the solid teak frame has aged naturally alongside it.

The table has been lightly cleaned and waxed, deliberately preserving this accumulated surface rather than refinishing it. For us, the patina is an important part of the table. The marks and variations across such a large expanse of timber give a very tangible sense of its previous working life and prevent the piece from becoming overly formal.

The table was reported to us as having come from Panjab University in Chandigarh. While we do not have documentary provenance to confirm this, its construction, scale and institutional wear are entirely consistent with furniture produced for the Chandigarh project.

Although originally conceived as institutional furniture, it is an exceptionally practical table for a contemporary interior. At 244 cm long, it can comfortably seat ten people, while the generous 122 cm depth provides an unusual amount of working space. This makes it equally successful as a large dining table, studio table or meeting table.

The table has been professionally and structurally restored, with the emphasis placed on retaining the original material and accumulated patina. The top, legs and principal components are original, while screws have been replaced where necessary during restoration. Importantly for a table of this size, the legs can be removed, making transportation and installation considerably easier.

For us, this is a very successful piece of Jeanneret's Chandigarh furniture. The simplicity of the construction allows the scale, proportions and aged teak to do most of the work. It has the presence expected of a table measuring more than eight feet long, without feeling visually heavy, and remains a highly usable piece of furniture more than sixty years after it was made.

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.