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.
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century English Gentleman's Mahogany and Brass Campaign Jewelry Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
High quality English mahogany and brass fine jewelry box that was likely used for stationary as well. Attention to detail, originality and surviving k...
Brass
19th Century Campaign Vanity Dressing or Jewelry Box with Boule Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century Campaign vanity dressing box with boule inlay. Lia.
Brass
Military Campaign Walnut Brass Bound Double Watch Winder Box for Rolex, Omega
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Military Campaign Walnut Brass Bound Box With Fitted Velvet Interior A bespoke watch winder box for the watch aficionado, hand finished & fitted with ...
Brass
$3,195Sale Price|20% Off
Military Campaign Walnut Brass Bound Double Watch Winder Box for Rolex, Omega
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Military Campaign Walnut Brass Bound Box With Fitted Velvet Interior A bespoke watch winder box for the watch aficionado, hand finished & fitted wit...
Brass
Storage Chest or Jewelry Box by Designer Rae Kasian
By Roe Kasian
Located in New York, NY
A relatively large rich dark red burgundy lacquer storage chest box with metal detail, Campaign design style, by designer Rae Kasian, circa late-20th centur...
Metal
19th Century Napoleon III Vervelle Ebonized Box with Brass Inlay
By Maison Vervelle Audot Successeur
Located in Pearland, TX
A 19th century French ebonized box with brass inlay, the lock signed Vervelle Faut. Vervelle was a famed French maker of boxes, caskets and cabinetry, renowned for their fine craftsm...
Metal, Brass
$712Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.29 in W 13.59 in D 8.47 in
Small Antique Apprentice Chest, English, Camphorwood, Storage Box, circa 1920
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique apprentice chest. An English, camphorwood sample storage box, dating to the early 20th century, circa 1920. Superb craftsmanship in miniature from the hand...
Wood
19th Century Rosewood Dressing/Jewellery Box
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Victorian Rosewood Dressing table box with Mother of pearl car-touché to the centre of the lid, the lid does have age related shrinkage. To the inside of the lid it has a blue velvet...
Rosewood
Rolex Ladies' Watch Box with Outer Box
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
Rolex Ladies' Watch Box with Outer Box Period: Late 20th century Material: Elegant red leatherette exterior with cream satin and red velvet interior, accompanied by a coordinating o...
Leather
$1,450
H 15 in W 24.5 in D 13 in
Beautiful Moorish Damascus or Asian Inlaid Inlay Wood Box Storage Chest Trunk
Located in Studio City, CA
Stunning mosaic, geometric design, and gorgeous craftsmanship. This work is made of beautiful dark wood and shell and/or bone inlay. The iron handles are also a nice touch. A genuine...
Wood
Old Jewelry or Trinket Box inspired by Alexandre Noll
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This very old wonderful box is carved in solid wood. It can be closed by a beautiful polished mother of pearl shell. This box could be of the hand of Alexandre Noll (1890-1970), but ...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Large Antique Campaign Burr Walnut Writing Box. English. Dated 1871
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful burr walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Fine brass hardware Expertly restored Original brass topped inkwells Working secret drawers* R...
Brass
$295
H 3.15 in W 7.49 in D 5.12 in
Victorian Decorative or Jewelry Box, in Wood, England, 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This box is a jewelry box or a decorative box. It was made in the 19th century, in England, Victorian Period. Its lid is made in wood, brown in color.
Metal
19th Century English Dresser Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English dresser box made from exquisitely grained rosewood. The box has wonderfully inlaid patterns on the top and front in...
Ivory, Rosewood
Large Antique Campaign Brass Mounted Writing Box. English C.1840
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful solid tropical hardwood writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Fine brass hardware 3 secret drawers shown in the last image* Replaced leather The ...
Brass
19th Century Brass Bound and Inlaid Rosewood Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid 19th century English rosewood box with rounded brass edges, the top and front inlaid with brass lines and decorative devices in the corners. T...
Brass
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Box With Satinwood Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
English Regency mahogany box with satinwood inlay. The four corners of the top are inlaid with lovely triangular scalloped decoration. All the border molding are also satinwood inlay...
Mahogany, Satinwood
Captains Campaign Military Writing Box Compendium
Located in Northampton, GB
Multiple Secret Compartments From our Writing Boxes collection, we are delighted to introduce this extensive Captains Campaign Military Writing Box Compendium. The Writing Box comp...
Brass
1970s Burlwood Jewely Two Compartment Rectangular Box
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a delightful burlwood jewelry box, circa the 1970s. Crafted with care, it serves as both a functional storage solu...
Hardwood, Burl
Large 19th C. English Walnut & Brass Campaign Style Box, Lock & Key
Located in Pearland, TX
A very large antique English figured walnut campaign style box with lock and key, circa 1870. This fine hand crafted box has a richly figured walnut grain and is accented with brass ...
Brass
Sold
H 6.75 in W 7.25 in D 12 in
Maitland Smith Faux Shagreen Jewelry Trinket Box Tessilated Container
Located in Dayton, OH
Beige and black faux shagreen snakeskin style trinket box with lacquered finish and black interior by Maitland-Smith. Measures: 12”.
Shagreen, Faux Leather, Lacquer
Sold
H 3.5 in W 7.75 in D 5 in
Antique English Campaign Style Mahogany Brass Military Writing Jewelry Desk Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Campaign style mahogany brass military writing jewelry desk box. Item includes a lift out insert, brass accents, no key, but unlocked, very nice antique item, circa l...
Brass
Small Brass and Copper Plated Wooden Jewelry Casket
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small brass and copper plated wooden jewelry casket.
Brass, Copper