Property developer Rajan Bijlani, based in north London, has turned his home Fonthill Pottery—formerly the residence and studio of ceramicist Emmanuel Cooper—into a showcase for his collection of 20th-century design, sculpture, and paintings. His focus is Modernist furniture, particularly works by Pierre Jeanneret, one of the architects of Chandigarh, India. Bijlani owns over 500 pieces, including Jeanneret's 1960 Dining Table and Easy Chairs (1956), as well as works by Le Corbusier and George Nakashima. He staged his first home exhibition last year featuring South Asian diaspora artists, and this year presents 'Electric Kiln,' pairing Jeanneret and Le Corbusier pieces with works by Cooper, Lucie Rie, and Frank Auerbach. Some works are for sale to fund future shows, including a Japan-themed exhibition and one timed to London Gallery Weekend.
Bijlani's collection and exhibitions matter because they challenge the boundary between fine art and collectible design, and aim to elevate Jeanneret's reputation as a foundational 20th-century designer. By showing original, well-preserved pieces in a domestic setting, he counters the proliferation of fakes and poorly restored works in the market. His approach also highlights the cultural and historical significance of Chandigarh's design legacy, while creating a dialogue between Modernist design and contemporary art from the South Asian diaspora.