Whether on the move or staying put, enjoy the comfort and portability of the folding Expedition chair. Tempered Burma teak hard wood, combined with either canvas or leather, allow for the perfect combination of comfort and durability.
Deceivingly simple, the chair is actually quite complex due to the metal joints and the need for rigorously straight wood.
SPECIFICATIONS
The chair is 30” tall and 24” wide.
SOURCE
We sourced this chair from a carpentry shop in Bangalore that has been in business for over 40 years. They have been making the Expedition chair for 15 years. They estimate they have crafted at least 1,000 of these unique chairs.
HISTORY - THE FENBY PARAGON CHAIR
The Expedition chair was inspired by the Paragon folding chair first designed by British engineer Joseph Fenby in 1855, patented in England in 1877 and patented in the US in 1881 (though many believe this design predates Fenby).
CAMPAIGN CHAIR
In 1904 Fenby licensed his chair to American, French and Italian companies. The chair was also used by British and American armies and was known throughout Europe as an Officer’s chair or Campaign chair.
TRIPOLINA CHAIR
The Italian version became known as the Tripolina chair as it was made by the firm Viganò in Tripoli, Libya for the Italian expatriate market.
BUTTERFLY & BKF CHAIR
The Fenby chair inspired the design of the Butterfly chair by Argentinian architects Bonet-Kurchan-Ferrari in 1938. The Butterfly chair won awards at an exhibition in 1940 where it was recognized by the Museum of Modern Art. This chair was also called the BKF chair or Hardoy Butterfly chair. Hans Knoll recognized the chair's design and Knoll produced these chairs from 1947 to 1951.
CAMPING & CONTEMPORARY CHAIR
The chair later became popular in the US as a camping chair. The chair's simple design and versatility have inspired countless variations, for both camping and the home, that have sold in millions around the world.
(Fenby patent image courtesy of US Patent Office. Sketch image courtesy of Bonet-Kurchan-Ferrari. Butterfly chair image courtesy of Wikipedia)
