Furniture for the World’s Leaders: G20 Summit, Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Hand carved console table with gilded leaf carving and red lacquered centre panel, made by Morbagh Designs for Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

In September 2023, India hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Morbagh Designs manufactured hand carved armchairs, side tables, consoles and sofas for the venue, supplied as manufacturing partner to the appointed furniture vendor.

The armchairs and side tables were used in bilateral meetings between India and visiting heads of state and government. Three years later, the same pieces served again at the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit, held at Bharat Mandapam in September 2026.

The Brief

Furniture for a venue where every photograph would be seen around the world. Each piece had to carry Indian craftsmanship with classical European form, stand up to heavy use over the summit days, and look flawless on camera from every angle.

What We Made

In all, Morbagh manufactured 167 pieces for the venue:

  • Carved wingback armchairs and chairs with gilded trim and upholstered seats
  • Console tables with gilded leaf carving and a red lacquered centre panel
  • Carved sofas with gilded crests
  • Centre tables and side tables, with carved scroll legs and hand laid white inlay
  • Dining tables
  • Meeting tables

From Workshop to Summit

Carved wingback armchair with gilded trim in production at the Morbagh workshop, made for the G20 Leaders Summit
Artisan applying gold finish to a carved side table leg in the Morbagh workshop, made for the G20 Leaders Summit

Every piece was built in the Morbagh production unit in India. Frames were carved by hand, gold detailing was applied by our finishing artisans, and upholstery was fitted in house. The same hands that shape our private commissions built the chairs world leaders sat in.

Armchairs and side table manufactured by Morbagh in use at a bilateral meeting during the G20 Leaders Summit, New Delhi, 2023
Armchairs and side table manufactured by Morbagh, in use at a bilateral meeting during the G20 Leaders’ Summit, New Delhi, 2023. Photo: Government of India.

The Craft in Detail

Close up of hand laid white inlay border with chevron and floral corner on a Morbagh table top

The inlay borders on the table tops are laid by hand: a chevron band between two rows of rings, finished at each corner with a floral motif. Carving is cut in solid wood, then highlighted in gold so the detail reads clearly in photographs and in person.

Hand carved two seater sofa with gilded crest and ivory upholstery by Morbagh Designs
Console and round coffee table with white inlay borders and gilded carving by Morbagh Designs
Carved walnut toned console table with gold detailing by Morbagh Designs
Armchairs and side table manufactured by Morbagh in use at a bilateral meeting during the G20 Leaders Summit, New Delhi, 2023

Meeting room photo: Government of India.

Built to Last, Used Again

Furniture made for one historic summit was chosen again for another. In September 2026, the same pieces were in use at Bharat Mandapam for the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit. That is the standard we build to: pieces that outlast the occasion they were made for.

Monica Sharma, co-founder of Morbagh Designs, seated in a Morbagh armchair at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Monica Sharma, co-founder of Morbagh Designs, at Bharat Mandapam.

Our Role

Morbagh Designs was the manufacturing partner to the furniture vendor appointed for the venue. We designed for production, built and finished each piece in our own unit, and delivered to the vendor’s programme.

Planning a hotel, office, palace or residence that deserves the same standard? Call or WhatsApp Monica on +971 50 293 7049, or email monica@morbaghdesigns.com.