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Campaign Boxes

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
Large Antique Campaign Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860
Large Antique Campaign Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860

Large Antique Campaign Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860

$650

Large Antique Campaign Walnut Writing Box With Secret Drawers. English C.1860

Located in St Annes, Lancashire

Wonderful walnut writing box or slope Fabulous colour and figure in the wood Good condition Working secret drawers* Replaced leather With a key Free UK shipping *The drawers a...

Category

1860s English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope
Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope

Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope

$1,569

Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

Mid 19th century mahogany brass bound campaign writing slope circa 1860. Good quality military-campaign writing slope, with secret compartments. Rectangular shaped box with brass s...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope & Leather Interior
Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope & Leather Interior

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope & Leather Interior

$1,590Sale Price / set|60% Off

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut, Brass Writing Slope & Leather Interior

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Antique British Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. The Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Scriver, A Single Glass Ink...

Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor
Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor

Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor

$1,488Sale Price|27% Off

Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Antique Coromandel and Brass Bound Campaign Humidor. The cigars depicted are for illustrative purposes only.

Category

20th Century British Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850
English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850

English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850

$700Sale Price|28% Off

English Campaign Style Rosewood Brass Inlaid Lap Desk, circa 1850

Located in San Francisco, CA

A fine quality brass inlaid Campaign style traveling desk with a recessed brass handle engraved with the name of its owner, Anne Orten. The piece opens to reveal a velvet lined writi...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

18th Century Inlaid Marquetry Document Box
18th Century Inlaid Marquetry Document Box

18th Century Inlaid Marquetry Document Box

$1,295

18th Century Inlaid Marquetry Document Box

Located in Peabody, MA

An antique 18th century New England dovetailed and boxwork inlaid document chest in butternet and walnut.

Category

18th Century Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Wood

Campaign Style Leather Box
Campaign Style Leather Box

Campaign Style Leather Box

$684 / item

Campaign Style Leather Box

Located in Westwood, NJ

Wrapped in a brown antique leather-look finish, this rectangular box is edged in bold brass corner brackets and lined with nailhead trim—classic features that evoke the bespoke craft...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Captains Campaign Military Writing Box Compendium
Captains Campaign Military Writing Box Compendium

Captains Campaign Military Writing Box Compendium

$10,417

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...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Brass Bound Rosewood Campaign Type Jewelry Box
19th Century Brass Bound Rosewood Campaign Type Jewelry Box

19th Century Brass Bound Rosewood Campaign Type Jewelry Box

$2,250

19th Century Brass Bound Rosewood Campaign Type Jewelry Box

Located in Chapel Hill, NC

Mid 19th Century campaign type jewelry box in rosewood with inlaid brass bands and inset flush-mount handle on the center of the lid, opening to a relined interior with a fitted tray...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Vintage Rectangular Bronze Metal Rosewood Trunk Box, Europe
Vintage Rectangular Bronze Metal Rosewood Trunk Box, Europe

Vintage Rectangular Bronze Metal Rosewood Trunk Box, Europe

$210

Vintage Rectangular Bronze Metal Rosewood Trunk Box, Europe

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

Sturdy decorative rectangular hinged trinket box for display or functional for jewelry. The interior features veneered rosewood lining. Wonderful piece for a vanity or table.

Category

Mid-20th Century English Campaign Boxes

Materials

Bronze

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

British Campaign Royalty Leather Traveling Trunk, Circa 1820

$6,000

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...

Category

1820s English Antique Campaign Boxes

19th century campaign metamorphic camphor writing slope
19th century campaign metamorphic camphor writing slope

19th century campaign metamorphic camphor writing slope

$1,904

19th century campaign metamorphic camphor writing slope

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

19th century metamorphic camphor writing slope circa 1890. Here we have a fine quality campaign tambour table top desk made in camphor wood. Many features to this brass bound desk....

Category

Late 19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Campaign Burr Walnut Writing Box. English. Dated 1871
Large Antique Campaign Burr Walnut Writing Box. English. Dated 1871

Large Antique Campaign Burr Walnut Writing Box. English. Dated 1871

$1,150

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...

Category

1870s English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box
19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box

19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box

$4,250 / set

19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box

Located in Dallas, TX

PRESENTING A STUNNING 19C Irish Coromandel Wood Campaign Decanter Box. STUNNING mid-Victorian Decanter box from circa 1860-1880. Made in Dublin...

Category

19th Century Irish Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Silver, Brass

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key
Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key

$2,113Sale Price / set|40% Off

Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With Key

Located in Reading, Berkshire

19th Century Victorian Military Campaign Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Slope With A Tooled Black Leather Scriver Slope will include A Single Glass Inkwell A vintage pen S moder...

Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Campaign Brass Mounted Writing Box. English C.1840
Large Antique Campaign Brass Mounted Writing Box. English C.1840

Large Antique Campaign Brass Mounted Writing Box. English C.1840

$950

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 ...

Category

1840s English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Storage Chest or Jewelry Box by Designer Rae Kasian
Storage Chest or Jewelry Box by Designer Rae Kasian

Storage Chest or Jewelry Box by Designer Rae Kasian

$1,850

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Korean Campaign Boxes

Materials

Metal

Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers from the 19th Century
Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers from the 19th Century

Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers from the 19th Century

$1,719

Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers from the 19th Century

Located in Knivsta, SE

Charming Campaign Box in Camphor with hidden drawers with details in brass and a mirror inside. From the 19th Century. Nice patina. Key is missing. Wear consistent with age and use

Category

19th Century Asian Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th C. English Campaign Style Mahogany Travel Desk by G. Riddle, London
19th C. English Campaign Style Mahogany Travel Desk by G. Riddle, London

19th C. English Campaign Style Mahogany Travel Desk by G. Riddle, London

$1,800

19th C. English Campaign Style Mahogany Travel Desk by G. Riddle, London

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A finely crafted travel desk by a noted British maker of boxes. The campaign style box has shaped brass corners, tabs, a lid plaque, center front escutcheon, and classic encased side...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820
English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820

English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820

$6,800

English Zebra Wood Military Campaign Writing Desk, Circa 1820

Located in Charleston, SC

English zebra wood military campaign writing desk with brass bound molded edges, original recessed side handles, fitted leather interior with tooling and retains the original crystal ink wells...

Category

1820s American Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Crystal, Brass

19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound
19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound

19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound

$650

19th C. Rosewood Brass Bound

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A Handsome Campaign Style Box with nice deep color and decorative brass mounts, top medallion and escutcheon (lacking a key). The inside lid and sides lined in dark green velvet, the bottom with vintage printed paper...

Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Campaign Box Carved Gentleman's British Army WW2 Regimental Arms
Campaign Box Carved Gentleman's British Army WW2 Regimental Arms

Campaign Box Carved Gentleman's British Army WW2 Regimental Arms

$840Sale Price|20% Off

Campaign Box Carved Gentleman's British Army WW2 Regimental Arms

Located in Cheltenham, GB

Campaign Box Carved Gentleman's British Army WW2 Regimental Arms Beautifully stylized and masterfully carved wooden box of floral and fruit foliage bas-rel...

Category

19th Century British Indian Ocean Territory Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Vintage Brass Inlay Burl Wood Traveling Writing Desk Box
Vintage Brass Inlay Burl Wood Traveling Writing Desk Box

Vintage Brass Inlay Burl Wood Traveling Writing Desk Box

$1,850

Vintage Brass Inlay Burl Wood Traveling Writing Desk Box

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exquisite Victorian-era traveling writing desk is a masterclass in 19th-century craftsmanship and portable luxury. The exterior is wrapped in a breathtaking burl wood veneer, sh...

Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Vintage English Campaign Brass Round Sundial Compass with Small Rosewood Box
Vintage English Campaign Brass Round Sundial Compass with Small Rosewood Box

Vintage English Campaign Brass Round Sundial Compass with Small Rosewood Box

$225

Vintage English Campaign Brass Round Sundial Compass with Small Rosewood Box

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage English Campaign Style Brass Round Sundial Compass with Small Rosewood Box. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Box: 2.25" H x 4.25" W x 4.25" D.

Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Correspondence Box, Indian, Colonial Writing Case, Victorian
Antique Campaign Correspondence Box, Indian, Colonial Writing Case, Victorian

Antique Campaign Correspondence Box, Indian, Colonial Writing Case, Victorian

$4,106

Antique Campaign Correspondence Box, Indian, Colonial Writing Case, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique Campaign correspondence box. An Anglo-Indian, teak and brass bound Colonial traveller's writing case, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Captivati...

Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box
19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box

19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box

$950

19th Century English Victorian Campaign Style Travel Desk Writing Box

Located in Forney, TX

A antique Victorian era English campaign style brass bound mahogany portable lap desk / writing slope with nicely aged patina. circa 1850 Commonly used by military officers in the f...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century, English Mahogany & Brass Footed Divided Tea Caddy
19th Century, English Mahogany & Brass Footed Divided Tea Caddy

19th Century, English Mahogany & Brass Footed Divided Tea Caddy

$695

19th Century, English Mahogany & Brass Footed Divided Tea Caddy

Located in Atlanta, GA

This elegant English tea caddy is crafted from rich mahogany, showcasing the warm tones and fine grain of the wood, complemented by its brass-mounted footed details. Designed with fu...

Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Java Indonesia Teak Burl Document Box Circa Late 19th - 20th Century
Antique Java Indonesia Teak Burl Document Box Circa Late 19th - 20th Century

Antique Java Indonesia Teak Burl Document Box Circa Late 19th - 20th Century

$1,100

Antique Java Indonesia Teak Burl Document Box Circa Late 19th - 20th Century

Located in Bridgeport, CT

An antique Java Indonesia teak burl document box with pieces metal corner mounts, brass studs, wood trim, side handles and a shield form escutcheon plate with a later fitted key. The...

Category

Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Metal, Brass, Iron

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior
Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior

$2,467

Military Campaign Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Leather Interior

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Antique British Military Campaign 19th Century Burr Walnut & Brass Bound Writing Slope With Ebonized Trim. The Interior Features a tooled Blue Leather Scriver, A Single Glass Inkwell, A Handcrafted Exquisite Gift For The Writing Enthusiast. Item will include new notepad pad, Quill pen (modern), and one single glass inkwell and Ink Pen and Lockable Key Antique lap...

Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass

Austrian Bombe Form Dinanderie Tobacco Box, 19th Century or Earlier
Austrian Bombe Form Dinanderie Tobacco Box, 19th Century or Earlier

Austrian Bombe Form Dinanderie Tobacco Box, 19th Century or Earlier

$790

Austrian Bombe Form Dinanderie Tobacco Box, 19th Century or Earlier

Located in Atlanta, GA

Austrian, 19th century or earlier. A fine quality antiqued tobacco box of bombe form with a hinged lid.

Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Campaign Boxes

Materials

Brass, Tin

Leather and Silver Decorative Box
Leather and Silver Decorative Box

Leather and Silver Decorative Box

$2,160

Leather and Silver Decorative Box

Located in Miami, FL

Designed exclusively by Urban Art, offered is a decorative box comprised of a black python exterior and embellished with sterling silver hardware and an Afghani silver and Lapis Lazu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Campaign Boxes

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver

Campaign boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, tables, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include and Roe Kasian. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $6,800 while the average work can sell for $1,850.

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