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Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820

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...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Metal

BRITISH CAMPAIGN & GALLANTRY MEDALS DiSPLAY PICTURE VERY DECORATIVE EXAMPLE
BRITISH CAMPAIGN & GALLANTRY MEDALS DiSPLAY PICTURE VERY DECORATIVE EXAMPLE

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...

Category

20th Century English Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

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Chinese Black Leather & Brass Camphor Wood Trunk, 1820-50
Chinese Black Leather & Brass Camphor Wood Trunk, 1820-50

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...

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Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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English Mid-19th Century Camphor Wood Trunk, Leather and Brass Bound
English Mid-19th Century Camphor Wood Trunk, Leather and Brass Bound

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...

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Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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Very Decorative Rare Antique Map of the Northern Part of Africa, 1702
Very Decorative Rare Antique Map of the Northern Part of Africa, 1702

Very Decorative Rare Antique Map of the Northern Part of Africa, 1702

$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...

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Early 1700s German Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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Paper

English Campaign Camphor & Oxblood Leather Brass Banded Military Trunk, C. 1815
English Campaign Camphor & Oxblood Leather Brass Banded Military Trunk, C. 1815

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...

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1810s English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Late Vintage Pair of Luggage Cases, English, Leather Trunk, Campaign, Nightstand
Late Vintage Pair of Luggage Cases, English, Leather Trunk, Campaign, Nightstand

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...

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Early 2000s British Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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Brass

19th Century Camphor Wood Travelling Campaign Trunk
19th Century Camphor Wood Travelling Campaign Trunk

19th Century Camphor Wood Travelling Campaign Trunk

$2,887

H 18.9 in W 37.01 in D 18.51 in

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...

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19th Century British Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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Other

British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820
British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820

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...

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1820s English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

19th century surgical human skeleton example
19th century surgical human skeleton example

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 ...

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1860s British Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Natural Fiber

Large 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk
Large 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk

Large 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk

$3,849

H 20.08 in W 41.34 in D 22.05 in

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...

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Other

English Campaign Camphor Wood Hinged Trunk with Orig. Brass Side Handles, C 1820
English Campaign Camphor Wood Hinged Trunk with Orig. Brass Side Handles, C 1820

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...

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1820s English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

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Brass

English Camphor Wood Sea Captain's Chest with Braided Beckets, Circa 1770
English Camphor Wood Sea Captain's Chest with Braided Beckets, Circa 1770

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....

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1770s English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Fruitwood, Rope

Previously Available Items
British Military Officer's Campaign Chest of Brass-Bound Teak
British Military Officer's Campaign Chest of Brass-Bound Teak

British Military Officer's Campaign Chest of Brass-Bound Teak

By Army & Navy CSL

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...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal, Brass

19th Century Mahogany Campaign Chair
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Chair

19th Century Mahogany Campaign Chair

Sold

H 32.68 in W 18.12 in D 21.26 in

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...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Travel Lap Desk
19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Travel Lap Desk

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...

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19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Georgian Campaign Settee
Georgian Campaign Settee

Georgian Campaign Settee

Sold

H 36 in W 72 in D 24 in

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...

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Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wrought Iron

English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, circa 1820

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...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Metal

English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, Circa 1820
English Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Leather and Camphor Wood, Circa 1820

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...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Metal

Campaign Mirror in Case
Campaign Mirror in Case

Campaign Mirror in Case

Sold

H 8.27 in W 6.3 in D 0.4 in

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 ...

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1910s English Vintage Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather, Mirror

Antique Painted and Stenciled Wooden Liqueur Box with Lid
Antique Painted and Stenciled Wooden Liqueur Box with Lid

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...

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Early 20th Century French Campaign Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Campaign historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are England, Europe, and United Kingdom 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 historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $895 and tops out at $3,495 while the average work can sell for $1,901.