Easy Armchair by Pierre Jeanneret, 1956

The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates the Indian lifestyle, much more casual and wiser than the heroic western design approach. The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both tension and harmony create a unity. The surfaces of the seats are done in cane. Contrasting the massive wooden parts, which frame it nicely, cane expresses a lightness with its transparency. The geometrical patterns of the canework create a charming shadowscape. We do the caning like it was done in Chandigarh. We use durable and thicker cane. All massive wood parts are authentic. They are done in Indian teak. Rich in texture, the wood is vivid and comes in chocolate colour. The surface is treated with shellac and there are several layers of original shellac. It provides smooth irregular gloss different from that of the sterile lacquerware nowadays. Charming irregularities show that each piece has been handcrafted and that the item is unique. X-legs are a specific feature of Jeanneret’s creations in Chandigarh. The expressive quality of the X gives the impression that the entire item is pressed down. The beams get slightly wider at the intersection of the X, as they tend to visualize the weight they carry. I think the piece blends well with many interior styles. It can support pure, modern aesthetics by giving them a warmer character with its natural materials and warm colours. As an easy chair with a strong character, it fits in a living area or in a reading corner. It introduces a serene atmosphere. P! Galerie’s selection is mainly focused on rare French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand. Artefacts from our carefully curated collection are handpicked, and all traces and important indicators of authenticity are evaluated professionally. We try to preserve as much of patina as possible during the process of restoration, as it defines these historic pieces. Each object comes with a certificate of authenticity, offering you the opportunity to own a valuable artefact originating from a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. Not only do we cooperate with museums and offer auction houses our services and expert opinion, we also look forward to welcoming you as a private collector and connoisseur. Literature: Eric Touchaleaume and Gerald Moreau, 'Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret: The Indian Adventure, Design-Art-Architecture' (Paris: Gourcuff Gradenigo, 2011), 339, 563, 568.