Safari Chair by Kaare Klint for Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark, 1950s

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An exceptional mid-century example of Kaare Klint's iconic Safari Chair, designed in 1933 and manufactured in Copenhagen by the celebrated … Read more An exceptional mid-century example of Kaare Klint's iconic Safari Chair, designed in 1933 and manufactured in Copenhagen by the celebrated cabinetmakers Rud. Rasmussen.

This example is constructed in richly coloured dark-stained ash and retains a particularly attractive full leather treatment, including its beautifully patinated leather sling seat and back, loose five-button seat cushion and unusually substantial folded and stitched leather armrests.

Klint's Safari Chair developed the principles of the portable British military campaign or Roorkhee chair into one of the defining pieces of early Danish modern furniture. Its ingenious demountable construction requires very little rigid joinery, allowing the sitter's weight and the tension of the leather to help stabilise the frame. The design was presented at the Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition in 1933 and was originally produced by Rud. Rasmussen.

The craftsmanship of this particular chair is especially appealing. Rather than the simpler leather straps encountered on many Safari Chairs, the arms are formed from folded and stitched leather, terminating in shaped stitched tabs secured to the front uprights by three slotted brass fittings. The leather back is similarly carefully constructed, with stitched perimeter reinforcement, shaped corner sections and an adjustable rear tensioning strap, matching the original examples from 1933.

The leather backrest is designed to pivot freely on its upper connections, allowing it to gently recline as you lean back. This simple but ingenious movement lets the chair naturally adjust to the sitter, providing a surprisingly comfortable and relaxed seating position while remaining true to Klint’s lightweight, functional construction.

The loose seat cushion is upholstered in matching cognac-brown leather with five deep buttons, sitting above the original-style leather sling seat.

The chair bears the Rud. Rasmussen manufacturer's marking and production number 27098 to the frame.

While the Safari Chair was designed in 1933, the construction, materials and production numbering of this example currently point towards 1950s manufacture. Comparable 1950s Rud. Rasmussen examples are documented in solid or dark-stained ash with leather upholstery.

A wonderfully characterful example of one of the most important chairs in Danish furniture design, retaining the considerable patina accumulated through decades of use.

The chair is fully collapsible and will be carefully packed and shipped boxed. Assembly is remarkably simple and reflects Kaare Klint’s ingenious campaign-style construction: only two bolts are required, with the remaining wooden frame components simply locating securely into position. Clear assembly instructions will be included, allowing the chair to be easily reassembled on arrival without specialist tools or experience. This piece has an attribution mark,
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