Designing Chandigarh

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^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967): a side cabinet, 1950s, teak (£6,000-8,000) and PJ-010806 ‘X Leg’ Lounge Armchair Circa 1958-59 (£4,000-6,000)}

We are delighted to present two private collections of furniture by the celebrated designer Pierre Jeanneret (1896-1967) in our upcoming Design auction, which takes place on Tuesday 8 July. The collections represent the breadth of Jeanneret’s contributions to the Indian city of Chandigarh and consist of an array of authentic period pieces including numerous chairs, desks, sofas, tables, stools, and a wonderful double-sided bookcase. This unique offering gives buyers the opportunity to acquire an important and iconic piece of design history.

^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967): a teak coffee table, triangular form (£3,000-5,000) and a PJ-010806 ‘Easy Lounge’ sofa, c. 1958-59 (£8,000-12,000)}

Provenance and condition remain critical factors in today’s design market - particularly when it comes to the work of Pierre Jeanneret. We have been encouraged by the strong performance of privately owned pieces in recent sales, including £13,000 achieved for a pigeonhole desk in April, and in our January auction, £16,900 for a file rack, £7,150 for a set of four chairs, and £7,150 for a bench. These standout results highlight the continued demand for well-preserved, authentically sourced examples of Jeanneret’s iconic designs.

^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967), a 'PJ-BU-02-A' or 'Pigeonhole' desk, c.1957. Sold for £13,000 (inc. fees)}

Pierre Jeanneret established a design firm with his cousin Le Corbusier (born Charles Édouard Jeanneret) in 1922, joined by Charlotte Perriand in 1927. Together, the trio designed a series of furniture made from recycled steel tubing. They subsequently designed furniture using hardwoods, creating their own distinctive style of modernism through innovative joinery and leg styles combined with a minimalist aesthetic. Jeanneret continued evolving these ideas, ultimately culminating in the large number of distinctive furniture designs he created for Chandigarh.

^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967), a teak file rack, c.1955. Sold for £16,900 (inc. fees)}

Despite a fractious relationship during the Second World War, Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret reunited, and their reaffirmed partnership secured the commission to plan the Indian city of Chandigarh in 1950. During this venture, Pierre Jeanneret immersed himself in Chandigarh, assisting in the progress of the city’s development and taking personal charge of the design of structures such as social housing, schools, universities, hotels, the Town Hall and the Chandigarh Central State Library. He would stay on to become the head of the Architectural department at the University of the Punjab.

^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967), a set of twelve model 'PJ-010100T' chairs, also known as ‘Floating Back’ chairs, c.1955-56 (£15,000-25,000)}

Given the vast scale of the Chandigarh project - spanning numerous institutions and building types - the furniture needed to be simple to construct, accommodating the tight timelines involved. This necessity gave rise to a body of minimalist designs made from locally sourced materials such as teak and rattan, which were both practical and readily available. Yet, despite their functional origins, Jeanneret’s pieces retained a clear sense of aesthetic refinement. This thoughtful integration of architecture and furniture design has cemented both the city, and Jeanneret’s role in shaping it, as a landmark of modernist design history - one that continues to drive strong interest in the art and design market.

^{Pierre Jeanneret (Swiss, 1896-1967), a model 'PJ020111' dining table known as a 'Committee table', c.1963-64 (£15,000-25,000)}

If you own a piece by Pierre Jeanneret and would like to explore its value, our specialists would be delighted to offer a confidential valuation and advice on the best route to market.

^{All sold prices shown include fees.} 

design@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

Tuesday 8 July | 10am

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