Who knew chairs could tell stories of invasions and class hierarchies?
At a recent exhibition in Mumbai city - called A History of India through Chairs - more than 200 chairs mapped the country's cultural history through their unique designs and woodwork.
The exhibition, organised by restoration firm House of Mahendra Doshi, displayed chairs sourced over decades from different corners of India by Anand Gandhi and Chiki Doshi, the custodians of the brand and restoration experts.
The chairs were arranged chronologically to showcase seating traditions in India from pre-colonial to contemporary times, and highlighted global art movements that became popular in the country. Their designs also opened a window into the colonial invasions of India between the 16th and 19th Centuries by the Dutch, Portuguese, French and the British.
"When they came to India, they brought their furniture with them and also commissioned Indian artisans to design chairs and other items that replicated European designs they were familiar with," says Vivek Gandhi, co-curator of the exhibition.
