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Chairs as historical artifacts in Mumbai showcase
A recent exhibition in Mumbai, titled A History of India through Chairs, presented over 200 seating pieces that narrate the country's cultural and colonial past through design and craftsmanship.
Curators and collection origins
The event was organized by House of Mahendra Doshi, a restoration firm led by Anand Gandhi and Chiki Doshi. The duo, known for their expertise in furniture conservation, spent decades sourcing chairs from across India, including private collections, estate sales, and antique shops.
Many of the pieces arrived in poor condition-some with damaged upholstery or missing parts-and required months of meticulous restoration by skilled artisans.
Colonial influences on Indian furniture
The exhibition arranged chairs chronologically, revealing how foreign invasions shaped India's seating traditions. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Dutch, Portuguese, French, and British colonizers introduced European designs while also commissioning local craftsmen to replicate them.
"When they arrived, they brought their own furniture and asked Indian artisans to create pieces mirroring European styles. This fusion explains why India has chairs that are distinctly British or European, as well as hybrids blending both aesthetics."
Vivek Gandhi, co-curator
Notable pieces and craftsmanship
Among the highlights was a chair adorned with ceramic beads, discovered at a Gujarat estate sale, which took eight months to restore. Another standout was a rare lounge chair designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, who was invited to India in the 1950s by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to contribute to Chandigarh's urban planning.
The collection also featured 19th-century Anglo-Portuguese chairs from Goa, reflecting the region's colonial history. Beyond design, the exhibition emphasized India's rich tradition of woodworking, showcasing premium hardwoods like teak, rosewood, and ebony.
Preserving heritage through restoration
Anand Gandhi and his team specialize in reviving deteriorated furniture, often collaborating with craftsmen to repair structural damage and restore original finishes. The process underscores the cultural value of these pieces as tangible links to India's past.
