Safari Armchair in Cognac Leather by Wilhelm Kienzle

• Safari Armchair by Wilhelm Kienzle, Swiss edition Wohnbedarf, early 1950s.
• Structure in light oak, seat, backrest, and armrests in thick saddle-stitched leather. Reclining backrest with a butterfly screw.
• The woodwork has been cleaned, sanded, and varnished. The leather has been cleaned and nourished in several stages, revealing a deep, uniform cognac patina.
• Dimensions: H 82 cm × W 54 cm × D 65 cm.
• Seat height: 36 cm.
• To note: slight scratch on the leather strap of the right armrest (see photos).

Wilhelm Kienzle’s Safari Armchair: A Demountable Structure with an Ingenious Principle

Designed in 1928 by Wilhelm Kienzle, the Safari armchair embodies a functional approach to modernist furniture. An example is preserved in the collections of the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, attesting to the model’s significance in 20th-century design history. Its principle relies on a solid wood structure combined with leather elements, where each component directly contributes to the overall stability.

The armchair is distinguished by its demountable construction system. Unlike a traditional rigid structure, the wooden elements are held in place by the tension exerted by the leather. The seat and backrest, made of thick stitched leather, accommodate the crossbars that ensure stability, while side straps absorb stress. The backrest is articulated, and the leather armrests are secured by metal fasteners, combining flexibility and support.

This principle is inspired by 19th-century campaign chairs, particularly those used in the British colonial context, which Kienzle observed in London. Lightweight, demountable, and easily transportable, the armchair meets specific usage constraints while developing a clear and uncluttered formal language.

After the war, this type of chair experienced renewed interest, notably through Swiss productions. It then embodied a freer, less formal way of living, where furniture prioritized utility, mobility, and constructive simplicity.

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