Every so often, an object from history quietly earns its place as an icon - not through grand gestures, but by being exceptionally useful. One such piece is the Roorkhee chair (often spelled Roorkee): a humble campaign chair born from necessity, refined over time, and now appreciated for both its character and comfort.
THE HISTORY
First appearing in the late 19th century, the classic Roorkhee chair was designed by the British Army Corps of Engineers stationed in Roorkhee, India.
Officers needed seating that could:
- assemble and disassemble quickly,
- remain sturdy on uneven terrain, and
- be light enough to carry between camps.
The solution was remarkably ahead of its time: turned wooden parts, leather straps, and canvas - no fixed joints, no glue, just clever engineering and tension. The result was a chair that adapted to the ground beneath it and packed up at a moment’s notice.
Above: an advertisement from the 1907 “Annual Price List” of The Army and Navy Co-operative Society. Source: Lost Art Press
Through the early 1900s, the Roorkhee became standard issue for British officers. Later, it caught the attention of modern designers - most notably Kaare Klint, who reinterpreted it as the now-iconic Safari Chair in the 1930s. Marcel Breuer and Le Corbusier would go on to explore similar ideas. What began as military kit quietly influenced an entire era of modern furniture.
Above Image Source: Mobel Design Museum
GROUNDCOVER'S TAKE ON A CLASSIC
When we began making our own campaign chair, we didn’t want to reinvent it - we wanted to honour it.
Here’s what makes our version special:
- Hand-turned timber, crafted by Ronnie - a local Howick carpenter who also built our original shop fittings. No CNC machines, just hands, tools, and years of skill.
- Responsibly chosen hardwoods, depending on seasonal availability - including mahogany, walnut, and balau— always avoiding endangered species.
- Full-grain, 3.5–3.8mm vegetable-tanned leather, cut and finished in our workshop.
- Brass buckles and fittings, staying true to the chair’s heritage and helping it age gracefully with use.
- A design that has found its way into lodges across Africa, where its history and practicality make perfect sense.
The original Roorkhee chair was meant to move - across continents, across camps, across lives. Ours is built with that same spirit. It’s not just a piece of furniture; it’s a quiet nod to another era of making, where field gear and craftsmanship had to coexist.
