Frequently Bought Together
Designed by Pierre Jeanneret for the city of Chandigarh between 1951 and 1965, the Lounge Easy Armchair is the lower, wider, more reclined companion to the Chandigarh dining chair — defined by its signature V-shaped compass legs and hand-woven cane rattan. Our reproduction set of 2 is built in solid walnut for warm, contemporary living rooms.
About Pierre Jeanneret
Pierre Jeanneret (1896–1967) was a Swiss architect and longtime collaborator of his cousin Le Corbusier. In 1951 the pair were invited by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to design Chandigarh, India's new modernist capital — and Jeanneret stayed on through 1965, leading the furniture program that outfitted the city's homes, libraries, courtrooms, and government offices.
The Lounge Easy Armchair belongs to the residential side of that series. With its lower seat, wider proportions, and gently reclined back, it was intended for reading rooms and sitting areas in administrators' homes. Original examples in Burma teak — many salvaged from Chandigarh decades later — now command tens of thousands of dollars at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips, and have made Jeanneret's V-leg silhouette one of the most recognized icons of Indian Modernism.
Materials & Craftsmanship
Our reproduction holds to the geometry and material logic of the originals while substituting walnut — a warmer, more available hardwood — for the Burma teak Jeanneret specified in Chandigarh.
- Frame: solid walnut, hand-finished. The V-shaped "compass" legs are mortise-and-tenon joined to the seat rails — the same construction logic Jeanneret used so the chair could be repaired by local carpenters.
- Back and seat: natural Indonesian rattan, hand-woven in the traditional open weave for breathability and gentle flex under the sitter.
- Armrests: shaped solid walnut, eased on the top edge for forearm comfort during long sittings.
The cane is a living material; light surface burrs are characteristic of authentic hand weaving and soften with use. Each chair is inspected for joinery alignment, finish, and weave tension before it leaves the workshop.
Specifications
| Quantity | Set of 2 |
|---|---|
| Overall height | 27.8" / 70.6 cm |
| Seat height | 14.7" / 37.3 cm (lounge-low — lower than the dining version) |
| Width | 22.9" / 58.2 cm |
| Depth | 28.2" / 71.6 cm |
| Armrest height | 23" / 58.4 cm |
| Frame | Solid walnut, V-shaped compass legs, mortise-and-tenon joinery |
| Back & seat | Hand-woven natural Indonesian cane rattan |
| Assembly | Simple assembly required; all hardware and tools included |
| Package contents | 2 armchairs, assembly hardware and tools, care manual |
Care & Assembly
Each armchair ships partially disassembled and takes 10–15 minutes to put together using the included hardware and tools — primarily attaching the V-legs to the seat frame.
To care for the walnut: dust with a soft dry cloth and condition once or twice a year with a wood-friendly oil or wax. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which can lighten walnut over time. For the cane: dust with a soft brush or vacuum attachment, wipe occasionally with a barely damp cloth, and keep the chairs out of high-humidity rooms and dry-baseboard heaters — both extremes shorten cane life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chandigarh dining chair vs. lounge easy armchair — which one do I want?
The dining chair sits taller (around 17–18" seat height), upright, no armrests — built for the table. This Lounge Easy Armchair sits much lower (14.7"), wider, with a reclined back and full armrests — built for reading, conversation, and lounging. If it's joining a dining table, choose the dining version; if it's anchoring a living room corner, choose this one.
Why walnut instead of the original Burma teak?
Jeanneret specified Burma teak because it was the local hardwood in 1950s India. Today Burma teak is heavily restricted for environmental reasons, and the limited supply mostly goes to restoring vintage Chandigarh pieces. Solid walnut is a faithful stand-in: similar density and workability, warmer grain, and sustainably available — the choice many contemporary makers in the Chandigarh tradition now use.
Is it comfortable for reading for several hours?
Yes — that's exactly what Jeanneret designed it for. The 14.7" seat height and reclined back encourage a relaxed posture, and the hand-woven cane gives breathable support without the heat build-up of upholstery. A small lumbar or seat cushion works well for very long sessions.
How do I care for the cane and walnut together?
Keep the chair out of direct sun and away from forced-air vents. Dust the walnut weekly and oil it once or twice a year; dust the cane with a soft brush and spot-clean with a barely damp cloth. The two materials age in sympathy — the walnut darkens slightly, the cane mellows to a honey tone.
Is this an original Chandigarh piece?
No — and we're transparent about that. Authentic vintage Chandigarh armchairs are scarce museum- and auction-grade objects, typically $15,000–$50,000+ when they appear at Sotheby's or Phillips. This is a faithful reproduction in the Chandigarh tradition: same V-leg geometry, same hand-woven cane construction, same proportions, made today in solid walnut so the design is livable and accessible.
Shipping & Returns
Free US shipping (typically arrives within 2 weeks). 30-day free returns. See our shipping policy and refund policy.
