Roorkhee Safari Dining Chair

Design of the Safari Dining Chair.

The Safari Dining Chair is based on the Roorkee chair originally designed and built in the Indian town of Roorkhee as a British Army campaign chair. In 1899, the British Army faced the Boer Commandos in The Boer War in South Africa. This was a new type of warfare – guerrilla warfare The enemy were fast, mounted guerrillas and the British had to be equally mobile. The Roorkee  Chair fitted the bill perfectly. Light, practical, and easy to disassemble for travel yet still robust enough to stand rough treatment. The design also had the advantage of allowing the chair to adjust to uneven ground.

In 1933 Kaare Klint, considered by many to be the father of modern Danish design came across the Roorkhee chair while on safari in Africa. He re-invented the Roorkee campaign chair and called it the Safari Chair. Ironically, it then became an iconic example of Danish Modern design.

Covers available.

• Full-thickness pure veg-tanned bovine harness leather hand-stitched and riveted for exceptional comfort and durability.
• Karoo Khaki, Sand or Grey canvas with built in cushion

Each component is hand turned in African mahogany and then finished with furniture oil or lacquer. Lacquer brings out the grain of the timber beautifully but is not suited to outdoor use.  All fittings are solid brass commissioned especially for this chair.