silla, ltd.
Patinated Leather and Oak “Safari” Chair by Wilhelm Kienzle ca. 1950
$2,900
Antiques & Art
Questions? Call us at 717-708-9017
LEATHER AND OAK "SAFARI" CHAIR
Designed by Wilhelm Kienzle in 1928, manufactured by Wohnbedarf, Switzerland circa 1950
Item # 405ZPF07Q-1
Designed in 1928 by Wilhelm Kienzle, the "Safari" chair stands as a stunning and iconic piece. An example is held in the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Executed by Wohnbedarf of Zurich, Switzerland in the 1950s, the chair is made from solid oak and featuring thick-cut rawhide leather sling seating. The leather showcases a captivating patina, marked by stains and oils accumulated over years of use. With its original and untouched condition, this chair represents a remarkable blend of clever design, exceptional craftsmanship, and remarkable comfort and support.
In writing about the chair in the Vitra Design Museum, Claude Lichtenstein notes:
"This dismountable chair was created by the Swiss designer Wilhelm Kienzle. It is an adaptation of a model used in the nineteenth century by British colonial officials during their work-related travels, which Kienzle had seen in London in 1928. Its advantages are that it is lightweight and takes up little space. The chair’s legs are connected by round bars, which are inserted into the open seam of the seat cover (in copies with the original cover). Similarly, the cover is affixed to the movable backrest, which is attached to the upper ends of the back legs with a pivot pin. The leather strap armrests are fastened to the legs with brass buttons. Since the chair’s frame is not independently stable, leather straps stretched between the chair legs bear the lateral load of the seated individual.
In the interwar period, others – such as the Danish designer Kaare Klint in 1933 – created variants of this chair type. Kienzle’s design most likely was not mass-produced until after 1945 by the Swiss interior design company Wohnbedarf. In the post-war period it became the very embodiment of a non-conformist lifestyle."
We have several examples of this model in leather and oak by Wilhelm Kienzle in the shop - if you are looking for a pair to this, just browse our inventory or let us know and we can check current stock for you. Specifically, item #405ZPF07Q-3 is an almost perfect match for it if still available.
** NOTE, unless otherwise requested and quoted, the chairs will ship entirely disassembled to keep shipping costs down for our clients. This means some reassembly of the chairs is required upon receipt. **
Measurements: 35 3/8" H x 22 1/4" D x 22 1/4" W x 14 1/2" H to seat
Condition Report:
The original leather stained and discolored with a wonderful overall patina, remarkably comfortable and most enjoyable to sit in; darkening and overall oxidization along with light wear to the oak surface; some minor white marks (likely from rubbing the wall) that can be removed upon request; rubbing and wear to the leather inside the back where the wing nuts attach; the wood species of the front and back bar under the leather is different than the oak in the rest of the chair, suggesting they might be replaced; extensive dryness and cracking to the leather belting and arm straps. A very fine example that is beautifully preserved with rich surface history.
Designed by Wilhelm Kienzle in 1928, manufactured by Wohnbedarf, Switzerland circa 1950
Item # 405ZPF07Q-1
Designed in 1928 by Wilhelm Kienzle, the "Safari" chair stands as a stunning and iconic piece. An example is held in the permanent collection of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. Executed by Wohnbedarf of Zurich, Switzerland in the 1950s, the chair is made from solid oak and featuring thick-cut rawhide leather sling seating. The leather showcases a captivating patina, marked by stains and oils accumulated over years of use. With its original and untouched condition, this chair represents a remarkable blend of clever design, exceptional craftsmanship, and remarkable comfort and support.
In writing about the chair in the Vitra Design Museum, Claude Lichtenstein notes:
"This dismountable chair was created by the Swiss designer Wilhelm Kienzle. It is an adaptation of a model used in the nineteenth century by British colonial officials during their work-related travels, which Kienzle had seen in London in 1928. Its advantages are that it is lightweight and takes up little space. The chair’s legs are connected by round bars, which are inserted into the open seam of the seat cover (in copies with the original cover). Similarly, the cover is affixed to the movable backrest, which is attached to the upper ends of the back legs with a pivot pin. The leather strap armrests are fastened to the legs with brass buttons. Since the chair’s frame is not independently stable, leather straps stretched between the chair legs bear the lateral load of the seated individual.
In the interwar period, others – such as the Danish designer Kaare Klint in 1933 – created variants of this chair type. Kienzle’s design most likely was not mass-produced until after 1945 by the Swiss interior design company Wohnbedarf. In the post-war period it became the very embodiment of a non-conformist lifestyle."
We have several examples of this model in leather and oak by Wilhelm Kienzle in the shop - if you are looking for a pair to this, just browse our inventory or let us know and we can check current stock for you. Specifically, item #405ZPF07Q-3 is an almost perfect match for it if still available.
** NOTE, unless otherwise requested and quoted, the chairs will ship entirely disassembled to keep shipping costs down for our clients. This means some reassembly of the chairs is required upon receipt. **
Measurements: 35 3/8" H x 22 1/4" D x 22 1/4" W x 14 1/2" H to seat
Condition Report:
The original leather stained and discolored with a wonderful overall patina, remarkably comfortable and most enjoyable to sit in; darkening and overall oxidization along with light wear to the oak surface; some minor white marks (likely from rubbing the wall) that can be removed upon request; rubbing and wear to the leather inside the back where the wing nuts attach; the wood species of the front and back bar under the leather is different than the oak in the rest of the chair, suggesting they might be replaced; extensive dryness and cracking to the leather belting and arm straps. A very fine example that is beautifully preserved with rich surface history.
Item id: 405ZPF07Q-1
Color: Brown
Style: Mid-Century
Origin: Europe • European
Age: 20th Century
Item type: Vintage
Material: Oak, Brass, Leather
Color: Brown
Style: Mid-Century
Origin: Europe • European
Age: 20th Century
Item type: Vintage
Material: Oak, Brass, Leather
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We guarantee the authenticity of every item in the collection - each item is described meticulously and we stand behind the description. To supplement this, we offer a vast collection of images on our primary website cataloging every aspect of the item - contact us by email for a direct link to the item and images on our primary website.Questions about an item? We are only a phone call away at 717-708-9017 or sales@sillafineantiques.com
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PAYMENTPayment is expected within 10 days of purchase. Preferred payment method is PayPal. Payment by check can be made out to Silla, Ltd. and addressed to the shop at 117 W Burd St, Shippensburg, PA 17257.
SALES TAX
Sales tax of 6% is collected on purchases by residents of Pennsylvania and any buyer picking up items locally at our shop. For clients arranging their own delivery, items must be collected by a licensed interstate carrier in order to be exempt from sales tax.
INTERNATIONAL:
Customs valuations will without exception document the full selling price on international orders.
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