Safari footrest – White oiled ash + Thor 307 leather – Carl Hansen & Søn
Dimensions 57 x 57 x H34 cm
€1,029.00
857.50 tax excl.
The Safari chair, designed by Kaare Klint in 1933 and produced by Carl Hansen & Søn, is an iconic piece of Danish design, often considered one of the first examples of ‘do-it-yourself’ furniture. Kaare Klint, recognised as the father of modern Danish design, was inspired by a chair seen in photos of an African safari, brought back by an American filmmaker and his wife. More specifically, he based it on the Indian Roorkhee chairs used by the British army, which were distinguished by their light construction, without glue, and their assembly without tools.
Klint has taken this concept and refined it with a systematic approach, typical of his style. He has simplified the structure while emphasising well-thought-out proportions, high-quality craftsmanship and carefully selected materials. The result is a chair that is both sophisticated and functional, with a refined aesthetic that embodies the principles of Scandinavian design: clarity, logic and timeless elegance.
While Kaare Klint designed the chair with an ingenious structure that can be assembled and disassembled without glue or complex tools, Carl Hansen supplies it fully assembled, ready for use, to prioritise an impeccable finish achieved in the workshop by skilled cabinetmakers.
The Safari chair has a solid ash frame, often treated with white oil for a natural, luminous finish.
The seat and backrest are available in 100% linen or leather (such as Thor leather in shades such as black, cognac or beige), while the armrests are in natural saddle leather, adding a touch of warmth and robustness.
Its dimensions (57 x 57 x 80 cm, with a seat height of 34 cm) make it a compact and versatile piece, easy to integrate into various interiors. The ingenious construction of the armchair means that the joints tighten under the weight of the user, reinforcing its stability.
In 1966, Esben Klint, the son of Kaare Klint, completed the design by creating a matching footstool, which follows the same simple assembly logic and offers additional comfort or extra seating (dimensions: 57 x 57 x 34 cm).
This modularity and portability make the Safari chair a practical object, appreciated as much in homes as in more nomadic contexts, such as second homes.
This armchair is not just a piece of furniture, but a work of art that reflects Kaare Klint's heritage: a fusion of functionality, study of human needs and craftsmanship excellence.
Produced by Carl Hansen & Søn, a Danish brand founded in 1908 and renowned for its expertise, it remains a design classic today, prized for its durability and timeless style.
Kaare Klint
Recognized as the father of modern Danish design, Kaare Klint (1888-1954) designed icons such as the 1914 Faaborg Chair and the 1933 Safari Chair, as well as the design of the reception hall for the Danish Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition.
As the son of architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, Kaare Klint was immersed in architecture from an early age, but made his mark on Danish design history as a furniture designer and educator. In 1924, he helped establish the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. As an associate and later professor, he inspired some of Denmark's greatest furniture designers and architects, including Hans J. Wegner, Mogens Koch, Arne Jacobsen, and Poul Kjærholm. Today, Klint is considered a reformer: as one of the first designers to place functionalism and the practical study of architectural and furniture design principles above style, he redefined a period otherwise characterized by style-driven academic instruction.
Klint had an exceptional sense of proportion and space and created "human furniture" based on studies of the body. He studied an object's uses rather than its form, renewing Danish furniture design by refining tradition and developing objects perfectly aligned with their original purpose. Klint was also conscious of the relationship of designs to their surroundings, insisting that his pieces never dominate a space but rather unite form and function to create a greater whole.
In all his work, he emphasized clear and logical design, clean lines, the finest materials, and exceptional craftsmanship. Klint received numerous awards, including the Eckersberg Medal in 1928 and the C.F. Hansen Medal in 1954. In 1949, he became an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry in London.
As the son of architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klint, Kaare Klint was immersed in architecture from an early age, but made his mark on Danish design history as a furniture designer and educator. In 1924, he helped establish the Department of Furniture Design at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. As an associate and later professor, he inspired some of Denmark's greatest furniture designers and architects, including Hans J. Wegner, Mogens Koch, Arne Jacobsen, and Poul Kjærholm. Today, Klint is considered a reformer: as one of the first designers to place functionalism and the practical study of architectural and furniture design principles above style, he redefined a period otherwise characterized by style-driven academic instruction.
Klint had an exceptional sense of proportion and space and created "human furniture" based on studies of the body. He studied an object's uses rather than its form, renewing Danish furniture design by refining tradition and developing objects perfectly aligned with their original purpose. Klint was also conscious of the relationship of designs to their surroundings, insisting that his pieces never dominate a space but rather unite form and function to create a greater whole.
In all his work, he emphasized clear and logical design, clean lines, the finest materials, and exceptional craftsmanship. Klint received numerous awards, including the Eckersberg Medal in 1928 and the C.F. Hansen Medal in 1954. In 1949, he became an Honorary Royal Designer for Industry in London.
carl hansen
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Dimensions 57 x 57 x H34 cm