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 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
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 Green Yellow Redware 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
French Antique Confit Pot Cruche Yellow Redware Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot Cruche from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for watter . This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique pott...
Pottery
Navy/military-style Column
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Stunning campaign or marine style column An interesting and unusual piece featuring two small doors A campaign-style ccolumn with its brass fittings and protection typical of this s...
Wood
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
Italian Large Pines Decorated Terracotta Vase, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian large pines decorated terracotta vase, 1940s.
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
$1,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.75 in W 5 in D 2 in
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
Chaise longue
Located in Porto, PT
Chaise longue. Made of mahogany wood; upholstered in beige velvet. Rests on four turned legs. Dimensions: 80x165x63 cm.
Wood
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
Compton Pottery Celtic Style Terracotta Pot
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English Compton Pottery Celtic style terracotta pot or planter dating from the early 20th century. With its spectacular red colour and Art Nouveau style...
Terracotta
French Antique Pair of "Pebble-Pot" Raised Garden Planters
Located in East Point, GA
A French pair of 22" tall raised outdoor planters from the early 20th century. This antique pair of planters from France have been made of cast stone and have playfully decorated sheathed exteriors which have been tiled with stone pebbles...
Cast Stone
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Chaise Lounge Att. to Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron and metal mesh adjustable chaise lounge attributed to the Woodard Furniture Company. The chaise has a reclining backrest, and wheels to easily move the piece. Pe...
Wrought Iron
$5,500 / set
H 32.5 in W 25.5 in D 20.5 in
4 Mid Century Wrought Iron Lounge Chairs att. to Tempestini for Salterini
By Maurizio Tempestini, Salterini
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of stylish wrought iron and metal mesh lounge chairs design attributed to Tempestini, for Salterini. The chairs are newly powder coated with a black satin finish, making the...
Wrought Iron
Large Green Terracotta Confit Pot, France 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large and beautiful antique Provençal terracotta confit pot, glazed in a stunning deep green. Featuring two side handles, this pot would have originally served a very utilitarian purpose in a French kitchen, stored in a stone-lined larder or outhouse to keep all...
Earthenware, Terracotta
Kipp Stewart Aluminum Patio Lounge Chair for Terra
By Terra, Kipp Stewart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lounge chair by Kipp Stewart for Terra of California, USA, c.1970s. The lounge chair features an aluminum tube frame with applied faux patina and new cotton rope that has been woven ...
Aluminum
1890 Folded Cruise Ship Chaise-Longue by Marks, Oak & Leather
Located in Milan, IT
Folded cruise ship rocking chaise-longue made out of oak wood, Vienna staw, and Franzy leather. Manufactured by Marks, New York 1890 ca.
Iron
$1,995 / set
H 27.25 in W 22.5 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Orange Slice Iron with Sailcloth Lounge Chairs by Salterini
By John Salterini, Maurizio Tempestini
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and rare to find radar chairs by Maurizio Tempestini with Sailcloth as the seating material. Actual sails were cut and installed professionally. Chairs need a good cleaning ...
Iron
Pair of Italian Brass Door Pulls
Located in Hanover, MA
Stylized pair of 1950's Italian brass door pulls in the form of abstract wings. New Old Stock.
Brass
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 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
Finely Carved Dogon Door from Mali, Circa 1890
Located in Faversham, GB
Finely carved Dogon door from Mali, Circa 1890. Dogon doors are seen as a symbol of social position in a village, the grander and more intricate the design,...
Hardwood
Pair of perforated metal garden armchairs France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Two vintage green armchairs in perforated metal for the garden. Very nice manufacture.
Metal