Safari Chair by Eileen Gray, 1932

The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.

About This Piece

Vintage Design

The visible nonchalance here celebrates the lightness and the joy of life. It’s not about representation or impressing others. It demonstrates a truly modern lifestyle, much more casual and wiser than the heroic western design approach of the last 100 years. Here we see a playful kind of experimentation, different from the average modern design, which is more well-behaved and dogmatic. This chair is a historical piece. It is the original object which had belonged to Eileen Gray herself. Although not designed as the other pieces from her oeuvre, it Is a very valuable item in its original condition. This version is more casual and inspired by the safari armchairs which were used by British officers during colonial expeditions. The relationship of the elements and the manner of their production allude that the item is dismantlable. Dominant feature are the cylindrical legs and the seat frame which consists of four spear-shaped poles. Stitched leather, which is used for the seat and the backrest, contrasts the solid structure of the wood. The piece is in its original condition and all parts are authentic. It will be restored with complete replacement of the leather. I think this piece blends well with many interior styles. It can support pure, modern aesthetics by giving them a warmer character with its natural materials. An eye-catching detail for collectors and enthusiasts. P! Galerie’s selection is mainly focused on design masterpieces between 1918 and 1970. Apart from rare French mid-century modern design artefacts by Pierre Jeanneret, Jean Prouvé, Le Corbusier, and Charlotte Perriand, our offer includes masterpieces of historic importance and value by Gerrit Rietveld, Lina Bo Bardi, Marcel Breuer, Oscar Niemeyer, or, for example, Eileen Gray. Following all ethical and juridical requirements, all items from our carefully curated collection come with a certificate of authenticity. We try to preserve as much of patina as possible during the process of restoration, as it defines these historic pieces. Not only do we cooperate with museums and offer auction houses our services and expert opinion, we also look forward to welcoming you as a private collector and connoisseur. Literature: Peter Adam, 'Eileen Gray: Architect Designer' (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1987) Provenance: Gros & Delettrez auction.

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Creator	Eileen Gray
Manufacturer	Eileen Gray (Designer)
Design Period	1920 to 1949
Year	1932
Production Period	1930 to 1939
Country of Manufacture	Netherlands
Identifying Marks	This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources
Style	Vintage
Detailed Condition	Very Good — This vintage/antique item has no defects, but it may show slight traces of use.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use, Patina consistent with age and use, Partially restored, Requires reupholstery
Product Code	BDC-1972365
Materials	Leather, Wood
Color	Brown
Width	60 cm 60 cm
Depth	60 cm 60 cm
Height	77 cm 77 cm

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Switzerland
Returns	Returns accepted within fourteen days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Product Safety Information

EU Responsible Person	Published before Dec 13th 2024

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

About the Creator

Eileen Gray

Born in 1878 near the small village of Enniscorthy, Ireland, Eileen Gray is one of 20th-century design’s most influential women. In 1898, Gray began attending painting classes at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, but she moved to Paris following an inspirational trip in which she discovered the Art Nouveau style. She continued her studies at the Academie Julian and Academie Colarossi, before returning to London to tend to her ailing mother and rejoin the Slade School.

In 1906, Gray moved back to Paris and began working as a lacquer artist under master Seizo Sugawara. In 1917, she was commissioned by boutique owner Madame Mathieu Levy to create the interiors of an apartment on Rue de Lota; this project generated one of Gray’s most esteemed designs, the Bibendum Chair, which expresses an astonishingly modernist approach for the era. With her success in interior design established, Gray turned to architecture—primarily private residences—most notably the E-1027 house in Southern France and the iconic Tempe à Pailla in Provence.

In the 1920s and ’30s, Gray was active in the Union des Artistes Modernes and received a steady flow of commissions. By the end of World War II, however, her popularity had dissipated. It was only in the late 1960s that Gray’s significance to design history began to be recognized. Today, her work is among the most highly sought-after work on the market, collected by major institutions such as the Centre Pompidou, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The National Museum of Ireland. Yves Saint Laurent was one of her most noteworthy private collectors. Her Dragon’s Armchair set an auction record for 20^th-century furniture when it sold for €21.9 million, in 2009.

Gray passed away in Paris in 1976.