The auction of Chandigarh’s heritage furniture in Paris has been stopped following the intervention of the Embassy of India in France.
Two armchairs designed by the renowned Swiss architect and furniture designer Pierre Jeanneret were scheduled to be auctioned today. In a statement, the Chandigarh Administration said the items were withdrawn from the auction after the Ministry of External Affairs intervened in the matter.
The Administration said the action followed directions from UT Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who asked the Cultural Department to take up the issue with the Ministry and seek urgent diplomatic intervention.
The Chandigarh Administration thanked the Ministry of External Affairs for its timely support in safeguarding the city’s valuable heritage assets. It also reiterated its commitment to taking all necessary steps for the verification, recovery and repatriation of such items.