"Tripolina" hides in orange and olive green

Tripolina

"Tripolina" folding chair in green leather and teak

Dario produces “Tripolina” chairs using environmentally-friendly vegetable-tanned Italian hides of the highest quality. The frames are made from high-quality teak or ash, with galvanized steel or brass fixings.

Their compactness when folded makes them ideal for sending anywhere in the world — or taking with you on your flight home from Rome.

Some are available for immediate shipping, others can be custom made.

Some are available for immediate shipping, others can be custom made.

Design

The original “Tripolina” chair was invented by the Englishman Joseph Beverley Fenby. It was patented in the United Kingdom in 1877 and in the United States in 1881. It was used in military campaigns, where it was ideal because it was designed to fold up compactly — while still being comfortable and stable.

It was manufactured by Fenby’s own company in the UK and shortly after in Wisconsin, USA. Later, it was manufactured by the Italian Viganò company in Tripoli, Libya. They stamped the hides with their distinctive oval company logo.

Used by ordinary people and presidents alike, it’s been an extraordinarily versatile chair for nearly 150 years.

US patent for J. B. Fenby’s folding chair
US patent for J. B. Fenby’s folding chair
The Viganò brand on an antique "Tripolina" hide
The Viganò brand on an antique “Tripolina” hide
Harrod’s catalogue entry for Fenby’s "Paragon" camp chair and stool (1895)
Harrod’s catalogue entry for Fenby’s “Paragon” camp chair and stool (1895)
President Theodore Rooselvelt, seated on a Tripolina chair, in the doorway of a ranch house (1905)
President Theodore Rooselvelt, seated on a Tripolina chair, in the doorway of a ranch house (1905)
Fenby’s patent camp furniture advertisement (1880)
Fenby’s patent camp furniture advertisement (1880)
Thomas Edison (sleeping), Harvey Firestone and President Warren Harding, seated on Tripolina chairs, Firestone camp (1921)
Thomas Edison (sleeping), Harvey Firestone and President Warren Harding, seated on Tripolina chairs, Firestone camp (1921)

Available in a selection of colours…

Here’s a selection of “Tripolina” chairs created by Dario. Click on any photo to see a slideshow.

"Tripolina" folding chair in orange leather and wood
“Tripolina” folding chair in orange leather and wood
"Tripolina" folding chair in green leather and teak
“Tripolina” folding chair in green leather and teak
"Tripolina" folding chair in mustard leather and teak – side
“Tripolina” folding chair in mustard leather and teak – side
"Tripolina" folding chair in black leather and teak
“Tripolina” folding chair in black leather and teak
"Tripolina" folding chair in light-tan leather and teak
“Tripolina” folding chair in light-tan leather and teak
"Tripolina" folding chair in purple leather and wood
“Tripolina” folding chair in purple leather and wood
"Tripolina Harlequin" in multi-coloured leather and teak
“Tripolina Harlequin” in multi-coloured leather and teak
"Tripolina" folding chair in olive green leather and wood
“Tripolina” folding chair in olive green leather and wood
"Tripolina" folding chair in leather and teak – some colours
“Tripolina” folding chair in leather and teak – some colours
"Tripolina" folding chair getting ready for travel
“Tripolina” folding chair getting ready for travel
"Tripolina" folding chair in cowhide and teak
“Tripolina” folding chair in cowhide and teak
Two "Tripolina" folding chairs in "cavallino" and brown leather
Two “Tripolina” folding chairs in “cavallino” and brown leather