Heritage furniture of Chandigarh auctioned at peanut value abroad
In a shocking set of events, the valuable heritage furniture that carries a cumulative price tag of about Rs 1.80 crore and belongs to the Chandigarh administration will yet again be auctioned at a London-based auction house. There are a total of nine furniture items designed by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret and French designer Le Corbusier that belong to Panjab University (PU) and Punjab and Haryana high court. A rare court's president armchair designed for the court complex in the year 1955-1956 has been priced at Rs 13 lakh while a set of 10 armchairs have been estimated to Rs 73.76 lakh. A study chair has been allocated at Rs 6 lakh, while a demountable bed has been priced at Rs 26 lakh. A reading table and a cane seat wood back will cost Rs 30 lakh, while a pair of committee armchairs carries a price tag of Rs 34 lakh. Since 2007, a significant number of wooden items designed by Jeanneret and Corbusier have been auctioned in various countries like- France, US and England. These furniture products are purchased by foreigners at lower bids and later auctioned at higher prices. On September 18, a total of six furniture items designed by Jeanneret were sold for Rs 13 lakh at a US auction house. As per sources, the university furniture is also sold at Rs 15 per kg. -PTC News
