Tagore Theatre’s 2-seat cinema bench up for sale abroad

Ramkrishan Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 3

Another auction of the city’s heritage furniture has begun on foreign soil.

This time, the auction is being held online for furniture designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, world-famous architects who designed the City Beautiful. These items have been put on sale by the Bidsquare online platform. The items that are on sale include a two-seat cinema bench from Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh. The bid price for the bench begins at Rs 4 lakh.

The website states that the bench is made of teak, woven cane and brass, and was procured from Tagore Theatre, which was designed by Aditya Prakash, another known architect, and Le Corbusier.

Tagore Theatre was designed at the time of the making of the city and has great heritage value. The original chairs were designed by Pierre Jeanneret.

Ajay Jagga, an advocate, said there should be an investigation to find out how the items reached the auction houses abroad. The UT Administration renovated Tagore Theatre some years ago for a modern look. Besides, eight V-leg armchairs from administrative buildings in Chandigarh have also been put on sale. A three-part room divider from the city is also included in the list of items for auction. Among other items being auctioned is a student chair from Chandigarh. The chair was designed by Pierre Jeanneret.

The Bidsquare online platform claims that it is the destination for individuals and collectors seeking exceptional, one-of-a-kind pieces. Bidsquare delivers a vast array of exceptional property, from fine art to estate jewellery to modern design and historical artifacts, all vetted by America’s foremost auction houses.