In an official statement, the Chandigarh Administration confirmed that the items were removed from the auction list after the Ministry of External Affairs intervened in the matter. The development came after urgent efforts were initiated by the Union Territory administration to prevent the sale of the historically significant furniture pieces.
According to the Administration, the action followed directions issued by Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, who instructed the Cultural Department to take up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs and seek immediate diplomatic intervention. Acting on the request, the Ministry coordinated efforts that ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of the two armchairs from the Paris auction.
The Chandigarh Administration expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs for its timely support in safeguarding the city’s valuable heritage assets. Officials described the intervention as an important measure in preserving items linked to Chandigarh’s architectural and cultural history.
Reaffirming its commitment to heritage conservation, the Administration stated that it would continue taking all necessary steps for the verification, recovery and repatriation of such items. The withdrawal of the Pierre Jeanneret-designed armchairs from the Paris auction underscores the ongoing efforts of Indian authorities to protect and reclaim culturally significant assets associated with Chandigarh’s internationally acclaimed architectural heritage.
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