AUTHENTIC BRITISH ROORKHEE CAMPAIGN "SAFARI" ARM CHAIR

England, ca. early 20th century

35 1/4" H x 21 7/8" D x 22 3/8" W; 15 1/8" H to seat

A rare early example of the Roorkhee Campaign Chair, it was originally developed by British Army engineers in Roorkhee, India. The chair was designed for mobility and field use, meant to be packed quickly and carried easily. The design became influential, later adopted by Scandinavian makers in the mid-twentieth century and still popular among craftspeople today.

This chair follows the original intent closely. It is low to the ground, lightweight, and built for comfort rather than formality. The canvas seat and backrest shift with the sitter, offering natural support of the lower lumbar as you lean into it without requiring any adjustment. It is designed without any joinery with simple turned dowels set into the squared portions of the leg frames, allowing the chair to self-regulate even when placed on uneven ground.

Note: the chair will be shipped entirely disassembled in order to keep shipping costs down.

Condition: Early canvas with all flaws that come from time (holes, stains, pilling, loose threads), originality unknown. Leather belting on the arms is likely original with numerous additional and later screws added over the years in various places along the handholds, all leather belting with dry-rot from the years. The canvas and belting remain perfectly serviceable (the belting with care though due to the cracking), though we can certainly have new saddle-leather made to perfectly replicate the existing leather and canvas by a local leather artisan upon request. Contact us for a quote.

ref. 503ETR06P