Must-Know Chair: The Safari
On the hunt for the perfect armchair? Put the Safari on your hit-list for comfort, craftsmanship and classic style
Designed by Kaare Klint in 1933, the Safari chair rides the line between 19th-century military campaign furniture and mid-century Scandinavian design. Its shape is clean and minimal, its materials warm and luxurious. And as far as form goes, it is as lightweight and versatile as you would expect. Composed of 11 individual components, its ‘knock-down’ construction means it can be assembled and unassembled without tools or adhesives.
Safari chairs have been a treasured classic for decades and are sought after both new and vintage. Here’s what you need to know about the history, style and use of the much-loved chair.
Safari chairs have been a treasured classic for decades and are sought after both new and vintage. Here’s what you need to know about the history, style and use of the much-loved chair.
Klint looked to classical and historic design for inspiration; his harmony between form and materials was often inspired by earlier styles and other cultures. He created clear and logical structures, with honest and pure lines, the best materials and genuine craftsmanship.
Lessons from the Nordics
Lessons from the Nordics
THE CHAIR
Klint’s Safari chair (produced by Carl Hansen & Son) draws inspiration from the Roorkhee chair – a 19th-century British military officer’s chair – that Klint saw a photograph of in an African travel guide.
The Safari chair is light and functional and, when bought from Carl Hansen & Son, is shipped disassembled in a small cardboard box. Available in wood and leather or canvas, the chair features turned legs, sling construction on the back, seat and arms, and a buckle under the seat.
Many European designers reinterpreted the Safari chair in the mid-20th century, including Carl Aubock, Hans Olsen and Arne Norell who put his own twist on the style with his ‘Sirocco’ chair.
Klint’s Safari chair (produced by Carl Hansen & Son) draws inspiration from the Roorkhee chair – a 19th-century British military officer’s chair – that Klint saw a photograph of in an African travel guide.
The Safari chair is light and functional and, when bought from Carl Hansen & Son, is shipped disassembled in a small cardboard box. Available in wood and leather or canvas, the chair features turned legs, sling construction on the back, seat and arms, and a buckle under the seat.
Many European designers reinterpreted the Safari chair in the mid-20th century, including Carl Aubock, Hans Olsen and Arne Norell who put his own twist on the style with his ‘Sirocco’ chair.
THE TREND
The Safari chair looks to the past while also paving the way for the future. It is derived from 19th-century campaign furniture that travelling armies carted around on their expeditions. Designed to be lightweight and easy to travel with, campaign furniture could be folded or broken down to be packed up and carried on the march.
However, preceding the golden age of mid-century Scandinavian design, the Safari chair also foresees many of the design trends of that period: it’s simple and versatile with great attention to comfort, materials and craftsmanship.
The Safari chair looks to the past while also paving the way for the future. It is derived from 19th-century campaign furniture that travelling armies carted around on their expeditions. Designed to be lightweight and easy to travel with, campaign furniture could be folded or broken down to be packed up and carried on the march.
However, preceding the golden age of mid-century Scandinavian design, the Safari chair also foresees many of the design trends of that period: it’s simple and versatile with great attention to comfort, materials and craftsmanship.
HOW TO USE IT
While the Safari chair can be easily packed up and moved, it is best suited to use in a living room as an armchair or occasional chair.
As an armchair
Safari chairs, either alone or as a pair side by side, make great armchairs in a living area and are easy to move and reposition for social occasions.
While the Safari chair can be easily packed up and moved, it is best suited to use in a living room as an armchair or occasional chair.
As an armchair
Safari chairs, either alone or as a pair side by side, make great armchairs in a living area and are easy to move and reposition for social occasions.
As an occasional chair
Used as an occasional chair, the Safari’s clean, minimal design means that it has a light and unobtrusive appearance when placed out of the way or against the wall.
If you’re short on space, you can even collapse it down and pack it up, only to bring it out for occasions when you need it. But really the chair is so beautiful and comfortable, this is one you can easily live with every day.
Used as an occasional chair, the Safari’s clean, minimal design means that it has a light and unobtrusive appearance when placed out of the way or against the wall.
If you’re short on space, you can even collapse it down and pack it up, only to bring it out for occasions when you need it. But really the chair is so beautiful and comfortable, this is one you can easily live with every day.
THE STYLE
Scandinavian
Hailing from Denmark, the Safari chair works beautifully in a Scandinavian interior. Like the chair itself, the overall aesthetic is lightweight, minimalist and lovingly crafted.
Scandinavian
Hailing from Denmark, the Safari chair works beautifully in a Scandinavian interior. Like the chair itself, the overall aesthetic is lightweight, minimalist and lovingly crafted.
Minimalist
The character and patina (depending on the age of the chair) of the leather of the Safari chair adds welcome warmth and natural luxury to a minimalist interior.
The character and patina (depending on the age of the chair) of the leather of the Safari chair adds welcome warmth and natural luxury to a minimalist interior.
Luxury
While the Safari chair is quite different in style to plush upholstered furniture, it still works in a luxury interior because of the attention to craftsmanship and comfort, and the soft hide used on the seat, back and arms.
While the Safari chair is quite different in style to plush upholstered furniture, it still works in a luxury interior because of the attention to craftsmanship and comfort, and the soft hide used on the seat, back and arms.
Contemporary
The wooden frame injects warmth into a contemporary interior. Here, Norell’s Sirocco chair provides contrast to the grey furniture and complements the coffee table.
The wooden frame injects warmth into a contemporary interior. Here, Norell’s Sirocco chair provides contrast to the grey furniture and complements the coffee table.
Mid-century
The Safari chair is well suited to mid-century interiors. (Although not a Klint Safari chair) the clean lines and natural materials of the one pictured here complements the warmth of mid-century furniture.
The Safari chair is well suited to mid-century interiors. (Although not a Klint Safari chair) the clean lines and natural materials of the one pictured here complements the warmth of mid-century furniture.
WHERE TO BUY THEM
You can buy Safari chairs new or used; whether you are looking for a Klint, Norell or another reinterpretation. If you are looking for a specific designer, be sure to buy from a reputable source that can ensure it is genuine and original.
For a new chair, go direct to Carl Hansen & Son. For a vintage chair – with lived-in history and beautiful patina, speak to a vintage furniture store, such as Vampt Vintage Design, or a Scandinavian furniture importer who may have them in stock or can source one for you.
TELL US
Do you have a Safari chair? Upload a photo of it to the Comments section.
MORE
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Designer Dining Chairs You Need to Know About
You can buy Safari chairs new or used; whether you are looking for a Klint, Norell or another reinterpretation. If you are looking for a specific designer, be sure to buy from a reputable source that can ensure it is genuine and original.
For a new chair, go direct to Carl Hansen & Son. For a vintage chair – with lived-in history and beautiful patina, speak to a vintage furniture store, such as Vampt Vintage Design, or a Scandinavian furniture importer who may have them in stock or can source one for you.
TELL US
Do you have a Safari chair? Upload a photo of it to the Comments section.
MORE
Must-Know Chair: The Chinese Chippendale
Thonet Chairs: Design Classics for More Than 150 Years
Designer Dining Chairs You Need to Know About
Kaare Klint’s design influence has been far-reaching; he is often referred to as the father of modern Danish furniture design. Founding the School of Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, he taught and mentored many of the stars of mid-century Scandinavian design. He believed furniture to be about the body not the room: it should serve a purpose as an instrument for the body, rather than dominating or merely decorating the room.