Chairs aren’t just for sitting
There’s a long history detailing the evolution of chairs—and why they are more than just functional pieces. The first chair, a stool, was used in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece. Artisans in Greece and Rome made advancements by creating chairs with curved legs, a concave backrest, and a comfortably contoured seat. From there on, chairs took on a more functional design.
We all likely have a variety of chairs in our home. Each chair is chosen for a purpose in the room where it belongs. But not all chairs are workhorses. They don’t have to be used daily if you find a chair that is so unusual or beautiful that you really just enjoy looking at it, admiring it, and perhaps contemplating its history.
We have chosen three chairs that meet this criterion. Here’s hoping they spark inspiration for picking a favorite chair for your own home.
Vintage Chairs
Vintage Campaign Chair
National Geographic collection by Palecek. Made in Indonesia.
The campaign chair originated in the late 1800s as essential furniture for British officers during military campaigns. These chairs were designed to be portable, durable, and easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for comfortable seating even in rugged environments. Their design was practical, with features like adjustable leather straps and a frame that could adapt to uneven terrain. It could also be called a safari chair as many Brits going on African safaris used British military furniture.
Vintage Rattan Chair
Henry Link Trading Co., “Traveling the world for timeless styles from many cultures,” by Lexington Home Brands. Frame made in the Philippines.
Rattan is a naturally sustainable and highly flexible material derived from a species of climbing palms found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. (It’s not to be confused with wicker, which is a weaving technique, while rattan is a material.)
Rattan has a long and significant history in the Philippines, deeply intertwined with that country’s culture, craftsmanship, and economy. It has been used for centuries by indigenous communities to make everything from everyday household items to intricate furniture.
Vintage Beaded African Chair
This chair was purchased several years ago in Africa but others like it can be found on eBay, 1stDibs, or Chairish.
This hardwood structured armchair is a piece of handmade folk art that represents graceful shapes and designs of humans and animals found in different areas of Africa. Each design is constructed with colorful beads that are applied to a canvas fabric and secured to the chair’s frame. This type of chair was traditionally made for the West Africa Yoruba tribe king and queen and other high-ranking individuals as a symbol of status and authority.
