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.
French Antique Confit Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
French Antique Confit Pot Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
1970s Polished Solid Brass Campaign Drawer Pulls
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of six 1970s polished solid brass camping style drawer pulls. Newly professionally polished to a high shine. Mounting hardware is not included.
Brass
Folding Metal Garden Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
The adjustable campaign style folding iron metal lounge chair is capable of several upright or flat position. The outdoor chair can also act as an armchair without the folding leg re...
Iron
French Antique Confit Pot Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Victorian Folding Iron Campaign Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The Victorian adjustable folding iron lounge chair is capable of several upright positions or in a flat position. The outdoor chair can also act as an armchair without the folding le...
Iron
Mid-20th Century Antique Wooden Hand Truck in Campaign Style
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Antique Wooden Hand Truck Wear consistent with age and use
Metal
$269Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.06 in W 8.67 in D 7.49 in
French, Terracotta Confit Pot Yellow Glaze, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
French terracotta confit pot. Traditional large earthenware pottery confit pot from South West France with yellow glaze. This vessel was used from the 19th to the mid-20th century to...
Terracotta
1970s Greek Key Drawer Cabinet Pulls Patinated Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Hardware Greek Grecian Key Brass Pulls mounting 2.25 spread. No screws. Set of two .75 d x 5 long x 2 d Preowned original vintage ...
Brass
Italian Large Pines Decorated Terracotta Vase, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian large pines decorated terracotta vase, 1940s.
Terracotta
$600Sale Price / set|59% Off
H 14.57 in Dm 13.78 in
Pair of 19th Century French Terracotta Confit Pots
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A very attractive pair of provencial French Confit Pots, each with two side handles, and glazed internally. Light in colour, their exterior surfaces are beautifully aged, and full of...
Terracotta
French Faience Cache Pot, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A white glazed French Faience “Cache Pot” with handles, circa 1870.
Faience
19th Century French Terracotta Confit Pot
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French earthenware confit pot with traditional green glaze and pale yellow interior. Nice old patina. Chips and losses to glaze. These ordinary earthenware vessels wer...
Terracotta
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
Terracotta "Indian Pot" by Bauer Pottery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Terracotta "Indian Pot" by Bauer Pottery, c. 1920's, USA H 11" x D 19" FDV-J016 *Wear consistent with age and use. One drainage hole.
Terracotta
French Confit Pot
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French confit pot. 1890. Has some historical damage. Dimensions 11.5 inches (29 cms) High 9.5 inches (24 cms) Diameter.
Pottery
Antique Smelting Pot
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This large antique smelting pot was used for glass blowing and is a great example of industrial art. It is an object that was made to serve a pur...
Stone
French Confit Pot
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French confit pot. 1890. Has some historical damage. Dimensions: 12.5 inches (32 cms) High 11.5 inches (29 cms) Diameter.
Pottery
Small 19th Century Yellow Glazed French Ceramic Confit Jar #3
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful small confit jar with its characteristic yellow glaze. Confit jars were used primarily in the South of France for the preservation of meats such as duck or goose for dishes such as cassoulet or foie gras...
Terracotta
Cheminée bourguignonne ancienne
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Cette cheminée incarne l'alliance parfaite entre l'esthétique intemporelle et le design contemporain. Ses pieds monolithes galbés ajoutent une touche de grâce et d'élégance à n'impor...
Stone
Cheminée campagnarde Française
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Apportez une touche chaleureuse et authentique à votre intérieur avec cette cheminée campagnarde au charme rustique. Faite de pierre naturelle, elle évoque l'élégance simple des mais...
Stone
Cheminée campagnarde Française
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Apportez le charme intemporel de la tradition avec cette cheminée Bourguignonne très rustique. En pierre naturelle, elle incarne l’authenticité et la chaleur d’un style campagnard, p...
Limestone
Cheminée campagnarde Française
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Ancienne cheminée campagnarde en pierre naturelle, offrant un charme rustique et authentique à votre intérieur. Dimensions interieur Largeur x Hauteur : 118 x 116 cm la plaque de ch...
Limestone
Cheminée campagnarde Française
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Ancienne cheminée campagnarde en pierre naturelle, offrant un charme rustique et authentique à votre intérieur. Dimensions interieur Largeur x Hauteur : 123 x 114 cm
Limestone
Cheminée Bourguignonne ancienne en pierre
Located in Saint-Gondon, Centre-Val de Loire
Ancienne cheminée campagnarde en pierre naturelle, offrant un charme rustique et authentique à votre intérieur. Dimensions interieur Largeur x Hauteur : 110 x 120 cm
Limestone
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
French Antique Confit Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 7.49 in W 6.7 in D 9.06 in
XL French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 7.48 in W 7.87 in D 7.87 in
French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 9.05 in W 9.84 in D 9.84 in
XL French Antique Confit Pot Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 8.66 in W 9.05 in D 9.05 in
XL French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Set of Six Metal Folding Garden Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Gray metal slatted folding garden side chairs in the classic French style. With good weight, stability and quite comfortable Measures: height 32 1/4", wide 14 1/2", depth 18", seat ...
Metal