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.
Indian Bronze Elephant Bell
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Elephant bell and clapper that rings with a deep rich tone and cast in bronze. Having acquired a verdigris patina and presented on a rustic wood and hide...
Bronze
$1,121Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Antique Table Lamps, True Fossil Wood, Iron Hats, Borneo
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Nice pair of lamps ( from Borneo) in true fossil wood, complete with iron hats , perfect in a mountain home - It is not necessary to change the power supply, but also use Your lamp...
Hardwood
Reclaimed George V Bronze Bell
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A reclaimed George V bronze bell marked GR, salvaged from the former RAF station Horsham St Faith, in Norfolk. George V's (1910-1936) reign was during the time of the establishment ...
Metal, Bronze
Anglo Indian Elephant Ebony Wood Hand Carved Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ebony wood hand carved anglo Indian elephant sculpture. Gorgeous vintage black hand carved wood ebony Anglo-Indian elephant. This is a hand ca...
Wood
Pair of White Quartz Crystal Table Lamps by Joseph Malekan
Located in Delray Beach, FL
One of a kind pair of table lamps made of genuine crystal quartz shards and crystal points in white colors ,artistically put together to make beautiful...
Quartz
$9,800 / set
H 37 in W 7 in D 7 in
Pair of Handcrafted Turquoise Stone Table Lamps by Joseph Malekan, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Fantastic pair of table lamps made of genuine turquoise stone, artistically handcrafted on bevelled Lucite base. One 100 watt maximum light socket. Overall height with shades 37" ...
Lucite
$14,599 / set
H 35.03 in W 16.14 in D 14.96 in
Italian Venetian Pair of Table Lamps, Gold 24-Karat Purple, 20th Century
Located in Villaverla, IT
Amazing, modern, Italian Venetian, pair of table lamps, blown Murano glass, gold 24-karat black, in a very unique design, mixing a baroque style in the main body of the table lamps, ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Murano Glass
Bronze Cosanti Bell by Paolo Soleri
By Paolo Soleri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful bronze Cosanti bell by Paolo Soleri. Uncommon shape and design. Fantastic patina and a great sound. Signed. A unique piece from a celebrated artist. Unique attribute to thi...
Bronze
$5,800 / set
H 18 in W 8.5 in D 8.5 in
Iconic and Rare Pair of Cubic Gaetano Sciolari Table Lamps , Italy, 1970
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic and rare Pair of Cubic Gaetano Sciolari table lamps , Italy, 1970,,,Wonderful original condition,,40 years in the business ,,have never come across the table version of this l...
Chrome
Sculptural Table Lamp Carved on in Olive Wood France 1950
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This table lamp, is carved in the wood. The wood has this light brown color of this wood, with the old patina. This lamp was made in Spain, circa 1950, The wood is olive wood. Signed Falcon Spain...
Wood
Massive Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
By Liberty & Co., Harrods
Located in Chireno, TX
Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...
Wire
$2,502 / set
H 23.43 in W 5.71 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Late Victorian French Solid Bronze Table Lamps of Art Nouveau Maidens
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning pair of original French late Victorian Art Nouveau maiden statues rewired as lamps They are in absolutely stunning condition, fully serviced with...
Bronze
$607Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 5.91 in
Art Deco wrought iron table lamp by Schneider, 1930s
By Schneider
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Art Deco desk lamp by Schneider - 1930s. This beautiful reading lamp / bedside lamp from the 20s / 30s of the last century comes from France. The Pa...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$3,620
H 6.49 in W 5.9 in D 4.52 in
Vienna Bergman Bronze Indian Man on Elephant Inkstand Inkwell Inkpot, circa 1880
Located in Vienna, AT
Stunning bronze item which has function of an inkpot, inkstand, inkwell, Indian man is situated on elephant which is climbing up some stairs, the elephant's...
Bronze
Sold
H 15 in W 5 in D 5 in
Spectacular Vintage Pair Karl Springer Faux Ivory 1970s Tusks on Brass Bases
Located in Peoria, AZ
RARE PAIR! MID CENTURY MODERN FAUX IVORY ELEPHANT TUSKS! KARL SPRINGER Wonderful! ( DIMENSIONS: BASE 5" wide by 15" tall ) These Mid Century 1970s Faux Ivory Elepha...
Brass
Zebra Hide Rug, South Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative zebra hide rug from South Africa. The hide is backed with wool felt fabric. Good vintage condition. It has some wear due to age and use. Absolutely beautiful.
Zebra Hide
Wooden Monk
By Jean Touret
Located in Paris, FR
Wooden sculpture representing a monk in a brutalist style from the school of Marolles and Jean Touret. Slight lack on the oval-shaped left hand.
Wood
Antique Marble Head Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian head sculpture of the child. Hand chiselled free standing on the 19th century stone column. Dimension without column: H 7 inches, W 8 ...
Marble
Zebra Taxidermy, Chocolate and White
Located in New York, NY
Decorative zebra taxidermy. Very good new condition.
Zebra Hide