Campaign Desk Sets
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
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 Inkwell...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
19th Century J J Mechi Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells
By John Joseph Mechi
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite English craftsmanship from the early 19th century a mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall St...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
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 Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
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 Indian Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Rosewood Campaign Writing Slope Desk 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th Century English Georgian campaign writing slope, box or travel desk. Made of walnut feautring rectangular form with brass banding. Opens to purple velvet interior with...
Category
19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
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 Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Mahogany Writing Slope Befit with a Pair of Inkwells by J J Mechi
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite craftsmanship from the early 19th century a Mahogany writing slope befit with A black velvet interior & A pair of glass inkwells by J J Mechi of No 4, Leadenhall Street, City of London, circa 1830s
Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast or London historian.
Item has lever action hidden compartment.
Has an oval front brass plaque ideal for engraving a message if the item is a gift.
Comes with the original heavy metal topped inkwells and notepad, modern quill and stand.Other items are shown for illustrative purposes.
Alderman John Joseph Mechi (1802–1880) was a silversmith, banker, inventor and Alderman of the City of London. He experimented with new farming methods on his estate at Tiptree in Essex.
Mechi was born in London 22 May 1802, the third son of Giacomo Mechi, a citizen of Bologna, who had settled in England early in life, was naturalised, and obtained a post at Kensington Palace in the household of George III. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of J. Beyer of Poland Street, London. John at the age of sixteen was placed as a clerk in a house in Walbrook, trading with Newfoundland, a job he had for ten years. In 1828 he set up on his own account as a cutler in a small workshop at 130 Leadenhall Street, from where he removed to No. 4 in the same street in 1830. Between 1830 and 1840 he made his fortune through the 'magic razor strop' which bears his name After the Crimean war and a fashion for beards, sales declined. On 10 November 1840 he took out a patent for 'improvements in apparatus to be applied to lamps in order to carry off heat and the products of consumption'. This was for the external shop-window lamps...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood
Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance
Probably Sri Lankan
3 secret drawers*
Replaced lea...
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Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Campaign Desk Sets
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H 5.5 in W 16 in D 9 in
French Walnut Burr Campaign Writing Slope Brass Inlay 19th C
By Napoléon III
Located in Cheltenham, GB
An exceptionally fine quality example of an early 19th century burr wood campaign writing slope, in beautifully grained burl, with polished brass inlaid, of French origin. Opening to...
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Early 19th Century French Antique Campaign Desk Sets
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Brass
Exquisite Victorian Walnut & Black Leather Campaign Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite Victorian Hand-Crafted Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Black Tooled Leather Interior With Secret Compartment
SLOPE 23
Brass front ...
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19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
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19th Century French Walnut and Brass Writing Boxe
Located in LEGNY, FR
Beautiful walnut desktop box which opens into a writing slope.
Decorated on the outside with 2 decorative inlaid tunbridge ware bands.
Box opens out to a beige fabric writing slo...
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1890s French Antique Campaign Desk Sets
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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 Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Antique English Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Box with Secret Compartment
Located in Northampton, GB
Contains a Secret Compartment and Candle Sconces
From our Writing Box collection, we are pleased to offer this Antique Burr Walnut Writing Box. The Writing Box of rectangular shape ...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 8.47 in W 19.89 in D 11.03 in
Antique Victorian Quality Burr Walnut Brass Bound Writing Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality burr walnut brass bound writing box having a quality burr walnut box with original brass bounds opening to reveal a writing surface, pair of original ink bo...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Writing Slope from the Mid 19th Century
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Mahogany writing slope from the mid 19th century
Date :
Period : Victoria
Origin : Englnad
Decoration :Mahogany veneered exterior with brass binding and vacant cartouch...
Category
1850s British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Regency Leather Bound Writing Slope Sewing Jewellery Box Engraved "K" 1818
Located in Cheltenham, GB
This is a beautifully preserved example of a Regency period writing slope that also functions as a sewing box.
The leather-bound table work box features a stepped square central pan...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 9.45 in W 12.21 in D 8.67 in
Antique Victorian quality burr walnut brass bounded writing box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality burr walnut brass bounded writing box having a quality antique Victorian burr walnut brass bounded writing box openin...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
19th Century Victorian Writing Slope/ Travel Desk Box, Brass Bound, UK ca. 1815
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Impressive Victorian writing slope or travel desk - attributed to the famous company of Thompson - from the period around 1800 - 1815 in the United Kingdom. This fantastic Captain’s campaign writing slope dates back to the Napoleonic wars. Well constructed out of solid mahogany with screwed down mount re-enforcements, brass banding, and inset carrying handles at each end, this outstanding travel desk box was designed to withstand the harsh maritime life at sea. The exterior of this Victorian travel box shows an attractive mahogany grain, beautiful colour, and a lovely pleasing patina. There are a couple of old indented scars to the lid along with the usual minor surface scratching, but these imperfections confer it an absolutely unique charme. The box has a tri-fold operation, opening to reveal a secondary smaller writing surface for quick use, then opening again to reveal the main slope fitted with a green felt writing surface which is in reasonable condition and compliments the original interior. When it is completely opened you have two storage compartments underneath. The original lock works smoothly with the original key. The original interior is nicely fitted out with a dark green leather drop-down section in the lid which features four memoire pockets. This section can additionally be lowered to reveal a document wallet...
Category
Early 19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 6.69 in W 17.91 in D 10.63 in
Antique Regency Campaign Writing Slope Brass Mounts, 19th Century
Located in London, GB
An elegant Regency brass mounted Gonçalo Alves campaign writing slope, circa 1820 in date.
The beautifully polished goncalo alves case has a ...
Category
1820s Antique Campaign Desk Sets
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Wood
Previously Available Items
Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Rosewood handcrafted exquisite writing slope with tooled leather, fitted interior befit with original glass inkwells and secret compartment.
Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast.
Item will include pad, Quill pen (modern) and antique propelling pencil...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 5.52 in W 16.15 in D 9.65 in
German Leather Dice Cup - Desk Accessory or Pencil Jar
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Germany
Leather dice cup- could also be used as a desk accessory for holding pencils, pens, or other accessories. Great saddle leather and topstitching. T...
Category
1960s German Vintage Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Leather
Royal American Regiment 1756–1763 Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century The Kings Royal Rifle Corps Oak Brass Bound Military Campaign Writing Slope
The King's Royal Rifle Corps was an infantry rifle regiment of the British Army that was originally raised in British North America as the Royal American Regiment during the phase of the Seven Years' War in North America known in the United States as 'The French and Indian War...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 6.19 in W 15.56 in D 9.34 in
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Mid 19th Century Rosewood Brass Bound Hand Crafted Exquisite Writing Slope With Red Velvet Fitted Interior Befit With A Glass Inkwell, Pad, & Pen
#21
Would make an ideal gift for...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 8.86 in
Exquisite Victorian Rosewood & Leather Tooled Writing Slope, Inkwell and Pen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Rosewood handcrafted exquisite writing slope with tooled leather, fitted interior befit with original glass inkwells and secret compartment.
Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast.
Item will include pad, Quill pen (modern) and antique propelling pencil...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 5.52 in W 16.15 in D 9.65 in
Victorian Military Campaign Brass Bound Mahogany Writing Slope with Accessories
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Victorian Military Campaign brass bound mahogany and brass writing slope with black leather tooled Interior and secret compartment.
Made in 1800s #11
Features a blank brass front shield ideal for engraving
This writing slope comes befit with various accessories:
Two Glass inkwells
One vintage Ink Pen
One modern notebook
Items might slightly differ from what's depicted in the images
Antique lap desks...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 6.11 in W 15.75 in D 9.26 in
19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope with Brass Inlay
Located in Reading, Berkshire
19th Century Burr Walnut Handcrafted Exquisite Writing Slope With Brass Inlay
A handcrafted exquisite writing slope with tooled leather fitted interior befit with a glass inkwell
Would make an ideal gift for the writing enthusiast.
Item will include pad, quill (modern) and stand and inkwell.
Antique lap desks...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 4.73 in W 11.82 in D 8.86 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather & Ebonised Interior.
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Beautiful 19th Century, Victorian Burr Walnut Writing Slope With Oxblood Leather Tooled, and Ebonised Interior & Writing Accessories, With a secret compartment for letters etc. - 1800s
Included in the sale.
A notepad
A Vintage fountain pen...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 6.3 in W 15.75 in D 10.24 in
Georgian Military Campaign Royal Warrant Brass Bound Rosewood Writing Slope
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A stunning georgian military campaign rosewood & brass bound hand crafted writing slope.
With Red Tooled Leather Interior, Befit with the original glass inkwells.
Made by Esteemed Maker with Royal Warrant "Tompson" circa 1830s
A rare Thompson lock with attractive stamped escutcheon with coat of arms.
The top and front have been decorated with brass inlay and brass reinforcing edges and corners.
Inside there are secret drawers concealed beneath the writing surface.
The glass ink bottles are original to the item with red leather tooled interior.
This writing slope comes with original "Tompson" lock.
Will be sent with a vintage writing pen...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
H 7.88 in W 19.69 in D 9.85 in
Antique Victorian Walnut Purple Velvet Campaign Writing Desk Slope
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian campaign writing desk slope. Made of walnut featuring purple velvet writing surface with multiple compartments and functional l...
Category
19th Century Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Velvet, Walnut
19th Century Rosewood English Campaign Lap Desk
Located in Nashville, TN
19th century rosewood English Campaign lap desk. Gorgeous highly polished rosewood and brass. Two hidden drawers fitted inside. Flip lid to open for ...
Category
1850s English Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Rosewood
English Campaign Era Writing Box of Brass-Bound Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English military officer's writing slope (or Captain's box) of brass-bound mahogany, from the Campaign Era, featuring a two-section hinged interior that opens to become a writing desk, with compartments for inkwells, writing pens...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Desk Sets
Materials
Metal, Brass
Campaign desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Campaign desk sets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 desk sets 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 $3,920 while the average work can sell for $1,881.