Page 9 - VE Magazine- Issue 51 - Free Digital Edition

The Portable Chair From Military to Mid-century Modern The Kaare Klint Safari chair designed for Rud Rasmussen cabinetmakers back in 1933 A number of chairs that today we consider to be design icons of the 20th century were actually inspired by 19th century campaign furniture pieces. The Roorkhee chair, for example, was designed by British Army Engineers stationed at the town of the same name in India. It became instantly popular for its simple but practical construction, and there are many variations. There’s a close connection between campaign furniture and Danish modern furniture. Danish designer Kaare Klint recognised its qualities and in 1933 made his own version, the well-known Safari chair. Then there was the Paragon chair, which folds down to a very compact size once the canvas seat is removed – the Harrods catalogue of 1895 described it as: ‘The most Portable Chair in the Market’. It is thought that this chair was first designed in the 1870s, and has been re-designed since under different names. Italian officers used a version in Ethiopia in the 1930s, which was known as the Tripolina chair. These chairs inspired a lot of designers, of which the best-known example is the Butterfly chair also known as the Hardoy chair, designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. The style of the chair features dismantling metal sections and a large sling hung from the frame’s highest points, creating a suspended seat. It was originally made in Argentina, and today continues to be produced by many manufacturers from many countries. Interestingly, the influence of the Roorkhee chair can also clearly be seen in Arne Norell’s wonderful Sirocco Safari chair designed in the 1960s. Good design will always be popular, and this, along with many of the original reasons for the popularity of campaign furniture still hold true today. It’s practical, often versatile and naturally, very easy to move about! Green canvas RAF Roorkhee Campaign chair This beech Paragon chair designed in 1918, folds to a very compact size thanks to the clever metal joints that link the 12 bars that form its frame. The replaced upholstery consists of a rectangle of leather with ears sewn to the corners. One of a pair of 1930s Tripolina folding chairs designed by Joseph Fenby for Paolo Viganò. The Italian firm of Viganò clearly stamped their products on the rear of the hides with their large ‘Paolo Viganò Tripoli’ oval seal. Price: $7,500 each. Available from www.1stdibs.com One of a pair of 1950s Butterfly chairs first designed by Antonio Bonet, Juan Kurchan and Jorge Ferrari Hardoy. Price: 1,400 euros. Available from www.vntg.com 1960s Sirocco Safari chair by Swedish designer Arne Norell in jacaranda wood in original green leather upholstery. Sold by www.molecula.co.uk www.vintagexplorer.co.uk ve / April-May 2020 / 9