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
Brass Apple Table Top Sculpture Paperweight Cast Circa 1970s Unlacquered (Korea)
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Round Top, TX
Iconic vintage solid brass apple paperweight, a sculptural Pop Art object distinguished by its substantial weight and timeless form. Crafted in unlacquered brass, the surface has dev...
Brass
Pair of Table Lamps, True Fossil Wood with Iron Hats, Borneo
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Nice pair of lamps ( from Borneo) in true fossil wood, complete with pair iron hats , perfect in a mountain home - It is not necessary to change the power supply, but also use Your...
Hardwood
Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...
Marble
$3,200 / set
H 37 in W 15 in D 10 in
Pair of Hand Carved Wooden Paul Laszlo Figural Lamps with Custom Woven Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking pair of **hand-carved wooden figural table lamps by Paul László, featuring sculptural seated figures mounted on black bases. Each lamp is accented with a decorative brass...
Brass
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
$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
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
Handmade Cast Brass Decorative Snail Large Paperweight
Located in London, London
Each of these exquisite solid brass snails is handmade individually with incredible detail. Cast using very traditional techniques, the noble material is aged unveiling a beautiful p...
Brass
MCM Brass Owl Sculpture / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool MCM brass owl sculpture / paperweight, circa 1960s. The owl is in very good vintage condition with and measures 2"W x 2"D x 2.5. #4469
Brass
$1,850
H 22 in W 58 in D 5 in
Vintage Brass New York Brooklyn Bridge Wall Sculpture Curtis Jeré circa 1970s
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large iconic New York Brooklyn Bridge brutalist wall sculpture, handmade with Brass finish and brown highlights by Curtis Jeré Artisans, circa 1976. Signed in black ink C.Jeré 1976 ...
Metal, Brass
Beautiful Bronze 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 art...
Bronze
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
$1,800
H 28.5 in W 13 in D 11 in
Large Brass Saguaro Cactus With Road Runner Sculpture — Korea, Circa 1970s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful large-scale brass sculpture depicting a classic saguaro cactus with an accompanying road runner at its base. Made in Korea in the 1970s, this highly detailed piece showcase...
Brass
Solid Red Marble Apple Paperweight with Brass Stem
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid red marble with brass accent stem apple paperweight or sculpture, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3" x 3.75"H. #3539
Marble, Brass
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