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Campaign Desk Sets

CAMPAIGN STYLE

Sometimes called “knock-down” furniture, campaign furniture was designed to be folded, collapsed, taken apart and packed flat to load onto a ship or a camel’s back. Although mobile furniture for military campaigns dates back to the Romans, the British Army in its global conquests in the 18th and 19th centuries defined the style with sturdy and elegant pieces. Even in a tent thousands of miles from London, a four-poster bed, dining table and seating could simulate the comforts of home.

Antique and vintage campaign-style furniture was also initially designed as propaganda. The mahogany and teak structures were part of a purposeful demonstration of power in these campaigns, with the colonizing military officers imposing their culture and view of what they considered “civilized” on a given land and its peoples. Designers and manufacturers including Thomas Butler, Ross & Co. of Dublin, and Morgan & Sanders contributed to the rapid production of this furniture as the British Empire expanded through Africa, Asia and Australia.

Campaign furniture was utilitarian as well as refined, fitted with recessed brass handles and brass angles on stackable chests and other case pieces to protect vulnerable corners. The Wellington chest was one of the most famous pieces to come out of this style, named for the Duke of Wellington, who slept in his campaign bed long after his battles were over.

The flexibility of campaign-style furniture would influence 20th-century Scandinavian modernists such as Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch and Arne Norell. For his 1930s Safari chair, Klint drew on the simple Roorkhee chair, named for a town in northern India. The lightweight and adaptable campaign-style seat was created in the late 19th century and had no fixed joinery. The Roorkhee’s influence can also be seen in the Wassily chair, a pared-down work of tubular metal and durable canvas conceived by legendary Bauhaus instructor Marcel Breuer.

Now, 21st-century designers like Jomo Tariku and Dokter and Misses are creating pieces that recognize the contributions of African artisans to campaign furniture in order to reframe this style without overlooking its difficult past.

Find a collection of authentic antique and vintage campaign bedroom furniture, chairs, decorative objects and other pieces on 1stDibs.

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Style: Campaign
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century English Georgian campaign writing slope, box or travel desk. Made of walnut feautring rectangular form with brass banding. Opens to purple velvet interior with...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"

Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Liner A Single Glass Inkwell, A Handcrafted Exquisite Gift For The Writing Enthusiast. Antique lap...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior
Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior

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Victorian Military Campaign Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Slope with Accessories
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Victorian Military Campaign brass bound mahogany and brass writing slope with black leather tooled Interior and secret compartment. Made in 1800s #11 Features a blank brass front shield ideal for engraving Antique lap desks...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Victorian Military Campaign Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Slope with Accessories
Victorian Military Campaign Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Slope with Accessories

Victorian Military Campaign Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Slope with Accessories

Georgian Military Campaign Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A stunning georgian military campaign rosewood & brass bound hand crafted writing slope. With Red Tooled Leather Interior, Befit with the original glass inkwells. Made by Esteemed Maker with Royal Warrant "Tompson" circa 1830s A rare Thompson lock with attractive stamped escutcheon with coat of arms. The top and front have been decorated with brass inlay and brass reinforcing edges and corners. Inside there are secret drawers concealed beneath the writing surface. The glass ink bottles are original to the item with red leather tooled interior. This writing slope comes with original "Tompson" lock. Will sent with a vintage writing pen...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Georgian Military Campaign Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope
Georgian Military Campaign Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope

Georgian Military Campaign Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope

19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells by J J Mechi
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Exquisite craftsmanship from the early 19th century a Mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall Street, City of London, circa 1830s Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast or London historian. Item has lever action hidden compartment. Has an oval front brass plaque ideal for engraving a message if the item is a gift. Comes with the original heavy metal topped inkwells and notepad, modern quill and stand.Other items are shown for illustrative purposes. Alderman John Joseph Mechi (1802–1880) was a silversmith, banker, inventor and Alderman of the City of London. He experimented with new farming methods on his estate at Tiptree in Essex. Mechi was born in London 22 May 1802, the third son of Giacomo Mechi, a citizen of Bologna, who had settled in England early in life, was naturalised, and obtained a post at Kensington Palace in the household of George III. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of J. Beyer of Poland Street, London. John at the age of sixteen was placed as a clerk in a house in Walbrook, trading with Newfoundland, a job he had for ten years. In 1828 he set up on his own account as a cutler in a small workshop at 130 Leadenhall Street, from where he removed to No. 4 in the same street in 1830. Between 1830 and 1840 he made his fortune through the 'magic razor strop' which bears his name After the Crimean war and a fashion for beards, sales declined. On 10 November 1840 he took out a patent for 'improvements in apparatus to be applied to lamps in order to carry off heat and the products of consumption'. This was for the external shop-window lamps...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells by J J Mechi
19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells by J J Mechi

19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells by J J Mechi

19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope with Brass Inlay
Located in High Wycombe, GB
19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope With Brass Inlay A handcrafted exquisite writing slope with tooled leather fitted interior befit with a glass inkwell Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast. Item will include pad, quill (modern) and stand and inkwell. Antique lap desks...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope with Brass Inlay
19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope with Brass Inlay

19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope with Brass Inlay

Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian campaign writing desk slope. Made of walnut featuring purple velvet writing surface with multiple compartments and functional l...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope
Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope

Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope

English Campaign Era Writing Box of Brass-Bound Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English military officer's writing slope (or Captain's box) of brass-bound mahogany, from the Campaign Era, featuring a two-section hinged interior that opens to become a writing desk, with compartments for inkwells, writing pens...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Metal, Brass

English Campaign Era Writing Box of Brass-Bound Mahogany
English Campaign Era Writing Box of Brass-Bound Mahogany

English Campaign Era Writing Box of Brass-Bound Mahogany

German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Germany Leather dice cup- could also be used as a desk accessory for holding pencils, pens, or other accessories. Great saddle leather and topstitching. Tactile feel. Base label is h...
Category

1960s German Vintage Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Leather

German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar
German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar

German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar

Related Items
Marble Case with Inkwell, Italy 2nd Half 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Red marble casket with pyramidal lid and fitted brass vessels. Light bumps.
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Marble

Marble Case with Inkwell, Italy 2nd Half 19th Century
Marble Case with Inkwell, Italy 2nd Half 19th Century

Marble Case with Inkwell, Italy 2nd Half 19th Century

H 5.52 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Stag antler table top desk secretary or rather as described by a British expert: an Anglo-Indian stag antler writing slope table top desk, late 19th century from Vizagapatam, which was the headquarters of the Vizagapatam District of Madras during the British period. Stag Antler anything is rare and unusual today, especially when it is completely covered in carved strips of Natural unpolished Antler. Finding Stag Antler Writing Desks are beyond rare and in our 30-years in the Antique business...
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1870s Indian Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Sandalwood, Leather, Antler, Bone

Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s
Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s

Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s

H 5.25 in W 15 in D 15.13 in
19th Century Mahogany Writing Box
Located in Casteren, NL
19th century mahogany writing box with green leather desk top, original key and several (secret) storage compartments. Originates England, dating circa...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Writing Box
19th Century Mahogany Writing Box

19th Century Mahogany Writing Box

H 5.91 in W 14.97 in D 10.24 in
19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box
Located in Forney, TX
A antique Victorian era English campaign style brass bound mahogany portable lap desk / writing slope with nicely aged patina. circa 1850 Commonly used by military officers in the f...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box
19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box

19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box

H 6 in W 14 in D 9.25 in
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date. The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a ...
Category

1820s Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Wood

Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century

Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century

H 4.93 in W 15.95 in D 9.26 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique dark birds eye maple writing slope with brass M monogram plate on top with green felt lining and multiple interior storage compartments finishe...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Felt, Birdseye Maple, Ebony

Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box
Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box

Antique 19th Century Victorian Birdseye Maple Traveling Writing Slope Box

H 4.75 in W 13 in D 9 in
18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
By Matthew Boulton
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality Georgian III period silver plated inkstand by celebrated English silversmith Matthew Boulton, displaying all of the timeless eleganc...
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand
18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand

18th/19th Century English Georgian III Period Matthew Boulton Inkstand

H 4.5 in W 11.5 in D 7.5 in
Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian campaign writing desk slope. Made of walnut featuring purple velvet writing surface with multiple compartments and functional l...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope
Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope

Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope

H 4.25 in W 9 in D 12 in
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
By Napoléon III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C

H 3.94 in W 13.39 in D 10.63 in
Vintage Malachite and Bronze Round Two Part Box Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely and substantial malachite and bronze vintage box is 2 parts. The bronze embedded lines form the perimeter set against the malachite. This makes a great desk accessory and...
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Malachite, Bronze

Vintage Malachite and Bronze Round Two Part Box Desk Accessory
Vintage Malachite and Bronze Round Two Part Box Desk Accessory

Vintage Malachite and Bronze Round Two Part Box Desk Accessory

H 1.5 in Dm 4.5 in
19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Handsome Campaign Style Box with nice deep color and decorative brass mounts, top medallion and escutcheon (lacking a key). The inside lid and sides lined in dark green velvet, the bottom with vintage printed paper...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound
19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound

19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound

H 3 in W 11.5 in D 7.75 in
Early 19th Century French Charles X Palisander Sewing Box with Lemon Wood Inlay
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early 19th century French Charles X period palisander box features a finely inlaid lemon wood border on its top and front. An inlaid central floral and leaf motif decorates the top. Used as a traveling sewing kit, this box includes all of its original contents, silver scissors...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Crystal, Silver

Early 19th Century French Charles X Palisander Sewing Box with Lemon Wood Inlay
Early 19th Century French Charles X Palisander Sewing Box with Lemon Wood Inlay

Early 19th Century French Charles X Palisander Sewing Box with Lemon Wood Inlay

H 3 in W 7.5 in D 5 in
Previously Available Items
German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Germany Leather dice cup- could also be used as a desk accessory for holding pencils, pens, or other accessories. Great saddle leather and topstitching. Tactile feel. Base label is h...
Category

1960s German Vintage Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Leather

German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar
German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar

German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar

H 3.5 in Dm 2.8 in
Royal American Regiment 1756–1763 Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope
Located in High Wycombe, GB
19th Century The Kings Royal Rifle Corps Oak Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope The King's Royal Rifle Corps was an infantry rifle regiment of the British Army that was originally raised in British North America as the Royal American Regiment during the phase of the Seven Years' War in North America known in the United States as 'The French and Indian War...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Royal American Regiment 1756–1763 Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope
Royal American Regiment 1756–1763 Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope

Royal American Regiment 1756–1763 Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope

Free Shipping
H 6.19 in W 15.56 in D 9.34 in
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope With Red Velvet Fitted Interior Befit With A Glass Inkwell, Pad, & Pen #21 Would make an ideal gift for...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope

Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope

H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 8.86 in
Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen
Located in High Wycombe, GB
19th Century Rosewood handcrafted exquisite writing slope with tooled leather, fitted interior befit with original glass inkwells and secret compartment. Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast. Item will include pad, Quill pen (modern) and antique propelling pencil...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen
Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen

Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen

H 5.52 in W 16.15 in D 9.65 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather & Ebonised Interior.
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Beautiful 19th Century, Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather Tooled, and Ebonised Interior & Writing Accessories, With a secret compartment for letters etc. - 1800s Included in the sale. A notepad A Vintage fountain pen...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Brass

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather & Ebonised Interior.
Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather & Ebonised Interior.

Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather & Ebonised Interior.

H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 10.24 in
19th Century Rosewood English Campaign Lap Desk
Located in Nashville, TN
19th century rosewood English Campaign lap desk. Gorgeous highly polished rosewood and brass. Two hidden drawers fitted inside. Flip lid to open for ...
Category

1850s English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Rosewood

19th Century Rosewood English Campaign Lap Desk
19th Century Rosewood English Campaign Lap Desk

19th Century Rosewood English Campaign Lap Desk

H 7 in W 20 in D 11 in
George III Period Brass-Bound Campaign Writing Slope "Captain's Box", circa 1790
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A gorgeous Georgian period Campaign triple-slope writing desk, it is often coined a “Captain’s Box” for its’ common use by ship officers for storage of va...
Category

1790s English Antique Campaign Desk Sets

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Mahogany, Oak

George III Period Brass-Bound Campaign Writing Slope "Captain's Box", circa 1790
George III Period Brass-Bound Campaign Writing Slope "Captain's Box", circa 1790

George III Period Brass-Bound Campaign Writing Slope "Captain's Box", circa 1790

H 5.75 in W 18 in D 9.75 in

Campaign desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign desk sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $3,920 while the average work can sell for $1,881.

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