Chandigarh's timeless furniture to spark bidding frenzy in Spain!

In another significant development for Chandigarh's cultural heritage, an iconic easy chair designed by architect Pierre Jeanneret in 1959 for Punjab Engineering College (PEC) is slated to go under the hammer in Barcelona, Spain, on September 7. This timeless piece of furniture, crafted from teak wood and wicker, bears the inscription: "PEC, Boys Hostel, 59." The chair is expected to command a minimum bid of ₹3.56 lakh.

This isn't the first instance of Chandigarh's heritage pieces making waves at international auctions. In late July, a pair of Kangaroo Chairs, also designed by Pierre Jeanneret, were sold for $8,500 (approximately ₹6.9 lakh) at Bartons auction house in Pennsylvania, USA, surpassing their reserve price of $5,000 (around ₹4.11 lakh). Earlier, in April, a remarkable auction in Chicago, USA, saw the sale of nine heritage furniture items from Chandigarh, fetching a total of ₹1.64 crore. The most valuable item among them was sold for ₹18.8 lakh.

Auction controversies and investigations

Chandigarh's heritage auctions have not been without controversy. On January 27, a French auction house scheduled the sale of 40 heritage items from Chandigarh but abruptly called off the bidding process just hours before the auction was set to commence. This action prompted an investigation by French authorities, particularly the police, due to the significant scale of the auction. Subsequently, the auction house's website became inaccessible, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the cancellation.

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Moreover, on January 20, ten heritage items from Chandigarh were auctioned in New Jersey, USA, marking another chapter in the ongoing international interest in the city's iconic furniture pieces.

Preserving Chandigarh's cultural legacy

The continued interest in Chandigarh's heritage furniture underscores its global significance and the enduring appeal of Pierre Jeanneret's designs. These pieces have not only become collectors' items but also serve as a testament to the city's unique architectural and design heritage.

As each item finds a new home through international auctions, it raises awareness about the importance of preserving Chandigarh's cultural legacy. These auctions also draw attention to the need for proactive efforts to safeguard and celebrate the architectural and design contributions of the city and its iconic creators like Pierre Jeanneret.

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In the upcoming Barcelona auction, the easy chair from Punjab Engineering College will once again showcase the enduring allure of Chandigarh's heritage, drawing the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike. The global fascination with these pieces serves as a reminder of the city's lasting impact on the world of design and architecture.