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.
Early 19th Century Carved Coconut Bowl on Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A charming small antique hand craved coconut bowl, England Circa 1820’s. Displays beautifully on a coffee table or side table standing alone or as part of a collection.
Wood, Coconut
$2,470 / item
Hammered Sterling Silver Candy Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Offered are artisan-crafted hammered sterling silver candy bowls made in Italy. They are different in size and priced separately (the lis...
Sterling Silver
$1,075
H 9 in W 12.5 in D 10 in
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Bowl on Louis XV Gilt Bronze Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a console or center table with this refined antique Imari bowl mounted on an ornate gilt bronze stand, crafted in Japan and France circa 186...
Bronze
Hammered Sterling Silver Decorative Bowl, Mexico, 1950's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous hammered .925 sterling silver bowl by unknown Mexican designer 1950's Measures approximately: Diameter: 5.5" Height: 2" Similar designers of the period include Willi...
Silver
19th Century Mexican Hand Carved Sabino Wood Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique late 19th Century Mexican rustic wood bowl, carved from a single block of wood with a wonderful aged patina. Collected in Sonora, Mexico in ...
Wood
$1,196Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.5 in Dm 12 in
19th Century Chinese Export Rose Medallion Bowl & Hardwood Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th Century Chinese Export Rose Medallion Bowl & Hardwood Stand China, circa 1880s, Later carved hardwood stand 20th Century Of good size, bright and colorful, hand painted and en...
Porcelain
Silver Plate Hammered Bowl with Stag Handles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely silver plate hammered bowl with Stags on either side. a compliment as a serving piece, especially for the holidays or in a cabin, or rustic setting. also works well as a flo...
Silver Plate
19th Century English Dairy Bowl
Located in High Point, NC
19th century sycamore dairy bowl from England. The outside rim is decorated with routing for added design detail. These bowls were used around the farm or dairy farm to collect mil...
Sycamore
19th Century Turned Sycamore Bowl
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand turned dark sycamore bowl from England. This is an exquisite example with wonderful wear and an original stapled old repair, which is pictured. The bowl is turned...
Sycamore
English 19th Century Hand-Carved Wood Bowl
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This is an English 19th century hand-carved wood bowl that has been loved and used, developing a beautiful patina that begs to be displayed on a table or counter, elevating the bowl ...
Metal
$6,657Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 10.15 in Dm 13.35 in
18th Century Qianlong Jade Bowl On 19th Century Gilt Bronze Stand
By Henri Picard
Located in London, by appointment only
Magnificent Grand Scale Late 18th Century Qianlong Period Spinach Green Jade Bowl On 19th Century Gilt Bronze Stand By Henri Picard. To have created a sculptural bowl of this excepti...
Jade, Bronze
Josef Hoffmann Hammered Silver Covered Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Hoffmann’s covered bowl is a striking synthesis of Egyptian, Chinese, and medieval European design. Its lid, with a rounded conical profile and cabochon malachite finial, draws inspiration from Qing dynasty mandarin hats...
Silver
$165
H 4 in W 7 in D 4.5 in
Antique Pairpoint Small Silver Plated Pierced Scrollwork Candy Dish Bowl Basket
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Pairpoint Mfg Co. Small Silver Plated Pierced Scrollwork Candy Dish Bowl Basket. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 4" H x 7" W x 4.5" D.
Silver Plate
Tiffany Sterling Silver Classic Modern Melon Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Classic sterling silver melon bowl. Made by Tiffany in New York. Shallow and ovoid bowl in form of lobed half melon. The side handles are pierced with stylized leaves and scrolled vi...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Hermès-Style Equestrian Strap-and-Buckle Waste Basket
By Hermès, Ralph Lauren
Located in Atlanta, GA
Sleek and tailored, this rectangular waste basket channels the iconic equestrian vocabulary associated with Hermès—bridle straps, polished hardware, and ...
Leather
Vintage Caned Wastebasket
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1970s Vintage caned wastebasket has a solid hardwood frame with caned panels, lifted at each of the four feet at the corners at the base. Its intr...
Cane, Fruitwood
Abercrombie and Fitch Picnic Basket with Sandwich Tins and Thermos
Located in Rio Vista, CA
English Abercrombie and Fitch compact picnic basket with two sandwich tins and thermos. Unbelievable condition with very little use and makers label under...
Metal