Catalogue Raisonné du Mobilier, Jeanneret Chandigarh (book)

This post is also available in: Français (French)

Catalogue Raisonné du Mobilier, Jeanneret Chandigarh (book) by Jacques Dworczak. Publisher: Assouline. 2019. Hardcover with dust jacket. New 350-page book in English with over 400 illustrations. Dimensions: 14.56 x 11.81 x 1.57 inches. 5.7 lbs.

Upon India’s independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister, dreamed of “a new city, a symbol of India’s freedom… an expression of the nation’s faith in the future.” Chandigarh, which means “fortress of Chandi,” the Indian goddess of power, embodies Nehru’s vision. The construction of this municipality, the fruit of the famous modernist architect Le Corbusier’s utopian dream of an avant-garde city, symbolized India’s determination to integrate into the contemporary world.

Instead of a “vertical city,” Chandigarh was organized along a horizontal grid, with wide avenues, residential neighborhoods, green spaces, medical facilities, schools, temples, shops, sports fields, and an artificial lake. Le Corbusier designed most of the infrastructure, emphasizing the large volumes through a bold use of raw concrete. Adapting his architectural plans to the regional climate, Le Corbusier provided protection from the sun and monsoon rains while facilitating air circulation through ventilated shutters and wide terraces.

Working closely with his illustrious cousin, Pierre Jeanneret oversaw the manufacture of numerous pieces of furniture for public and private buildings, using wood from the clearings required for this vast project.

Recently, the record prices achieved at auction for these pieces have brought this large-scale project and its creators to a wider audience.

Today, Indian leaders have become aware of the richness of this exceptional cultural heritage, and since January 2011, no furniture has been allowed to leave the country without authorization from the authorities and the Ministry of Culture. This specialized catalog raisonné sheds new light on this visionary urban project, which is attracting growing interest among design enthusiasts around the world.

Feel free to check out the additional photos at the top left, thank you!

If you prefer to pay in euros, =before= you start ordering, you must click on the word “Français” in orange, under the main photo above, which will redirect you to the same description in French and payment in Euros.