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.
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome medium-sized British officer's military Campaign camphor trunk or chest of brass-bound and studded leather over camphor wood, circa 1820. Manufactured by the British East India...
Brass, Metal
BRITISH CAMPAIGN & GALLANTRY MEDALS DiSPLAY PICTURE VERY DECORATIVE EXAMPLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very decorative display case housing multiple medals for Britich Campaign & Gallantry Please note the...
Brass
Chinese Black Leather & Brass Camphor Wood Trunk, 1820-50
Located in Kenilworth, IL
China trade brass bound black leather covered camphor wood trunk. The top and case are framed by brass corner mounts and brass tacking with a reserve of brass tacking on the center o...
Brass
English Mid-19th Century Camphor Wood Trunk, Leather and Brass Bound
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English leather over camphor wood trunk with brass studs from the mid-19th century. This English rectangular brass bound trunk features two latera...
Brass
$833Sale Price|30% Off
H 10.75 in W 15.75 in D 0 in
Very Decorative Rare Antique Map of the Northern Part of Africa, 1702
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Africae Pars Borealis.' Very decorative antique map of the northern part of Africa by Heinrich Scherer. The map is full of the spurious geography of the perio...
Paper
$8,500
H 19.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
English Campaign Camphor & Oxblood Leather Brass Banded Military Trunk, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Campaign military camphor wood and oxblood leather hinged trunk with exterior brass banding, decorative brass tacking, flanking carrying side handles, and resting on the orig...
Brass
$5,170 / set
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 14.38 in
Late Vintage Pair of Luggage Cases, English, Leather Trunk, Campaign, Nightstand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a late vintage pair of luggage cases. An English, leather and brass bedside nightstand, or occasional tables with storage, offering 21st century campaign revival styling. Ey...
Brass
19th Century Camphor Wood Travelling Campaign Trunk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large late 19th-century camphor wood brass-bound travelling campaign trunk with brass mounts and carrying handles. It features a warm, rich colour and patina, suitable for use as a...
Other
British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
British Campaign water proof leather traveling trunk with leather fitted interior compartment, brass banding mounts, Royal coat of arms brass plate, brass side handles, and retains t...
19th century surgical human skeleton example
Located in London, GB
19th century surgical human skeleton example Dimensions in inches: H 61” x W 15” x D 9” Age: 19th Century Origin: England Condition: Aged Overview An aged and fragmented example ...
Natural Fiber
Large 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A large late 19th-century camphor wood brass-bound travelling campaign trunk with brass mounts and brass carrying handles. It features a warm, rich colour and patina, suitable for us...
Brass, Other
$2,375
H 22.05 in W 37.21 in D 17.72 in
Antique circa 1900 Hand Carved Chinese Camphor Wood Travelling Trunk
Located in Miami, FL
1900’s Chinese export Camphor wood travelling chest which has been ornately carved throughout A good looking and well made piece, this is a med...
Wood
$8,500
H 20.25 in W 42.75 in D 20 in
English Campaign Camphor Wood Hinged Trunk with Orig. Brass Side Handles, C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English campaign camphor wood hinged trunk with a fitted interior removable shelf, flanking brass keyhole escutcheons, interior locks, and retains the original brass side mounted han...
Brass
$7,000
H 17.5 in W 37 in D 18.25 in
English Camphor Wood Sea Captain's Chest with Braided Beckets, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Camphor wood sea captain's chest with hinged top, exposed corner dovetailing, original mounted braided beckets, and terminating on the original rectangular molded edge base....
Fruitwood, Rope
British Military Officer's Campaign Chest of Brass-Bound Teak
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English military officer’s Campaign Ware chest, from the 19th century, featuring a handsome teak exterior, showing two short drawers over three long drawers. The brass-bound c...
Metal, Brass
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Chair
Located in Sherborne, GB
Unusual mid-19th century campaign chair which completely disassembled into seven parts. The legs unscrew, the back can then be removed leaving the seat frame and pad in two parts. Th...
Mahogany
Sold
H 1.78 in W 9.45 in D 3.55 in
Field Surgeons Post Mortem Instruments Cased Set Civil War, Mid-19th Century
Located in London, GB
Post-mortem surgical set, c.1860. Most likely used in the civil war, complete includes all original instruments.
Steel
19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Travel Lap Desk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
19th century English campaign travel lap desk. Rectangular form constructed out of mahogany with corner and banded brass accenting. Central inlaid b...
Brass
Georgian Campaign Settee
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare George III period mahogany Campaign settle, the tightly upholstered seat flanked by shaped arms and supported by turned and fluted front legs and sweeping back legs, all on bras...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 11 in W 26.25 in D 13.5 in
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome small-sized British officer's military Campaign camphor trunk or chest of brass-bound and studded leather over camphor wood, circa 1820. Manufactured by the British East India...
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 16.75 in W 37.5 in D 18.5 in
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, Circa 1820
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome large-sized British officer's military or naval Campaign camphor trunk or chest of brass-bound and studded leather over camphor wood, circa 1820. Manufactured by the Brit...
Brass, Metal
Campaign Mirror in Case
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage travellers mirror. A compact campaign mirror in original travelling leather case. The mirror folds up for easy storage and has a plated metal ...
Leather, Mirror
Antique Painted and Stenciled Wooden Liqueur Box with Lid
Located in Houston, TX
Wooden campaign box with hinged lid, metal handles and hinge for lock. Originally used to transport liqueur glasses to the Belgian Congo. Has original paper protective dividers and w...
Iron