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.
10 Blown Glass Bottles Grape Chamber Thomery Moissac France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
Lot of 10 blown glass bottles from a 19th century grape chamber Thomery Moissac Lot of 10 blown glass bottles from the 19th century from Moissac Tarn et Garonne. Height 5.11 ...
Blown Glass
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Massive french earthenware jar, late 19th century - terracotta bottle
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Massive french earthenware jug/jar, late 19th century - terracotta bottle / orjol Superb old terracotta bottle. Its circular shape and rough texture make it a beautiful and original...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Terracotta
French 19th Century Pickling Jar
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A beautiful bottle-green glass storage jar from France, 18th century. Originally used to store vegetables, fruits, truffles and other food sundries, today this makes a wonderful vase and can be placed throughout the home for an added pop of color and texture. Rare and highly sought-after, what may be mistaken as imperfections: tilted mouths, bubbles and ripples in the glass, are actually the very attributes that make these colored glass jars...
Glass
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle"
By [1+2=8], Andrea Barra
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Chinese 19Th Century Earthenware Martaban Storage Jar
Located in Kastrup, DK
A fine and large Chinese brown ochre glazed stoneware storage jar, commonly known as a Martaban or Martavan jar. Shoulders decorated with pearls and five lion heads molded in relief...
Stoneware
Early 19th Century Chinese earthenware jars containers or Planters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An old glazed stoneware pair of Chinese 'egg post' or planters from Southern China. The pots have a traditional continuous coiling dragon wrapped around the body chasing the eternal ...
Earthenware
Rene Lalique Opalescent Glass Moissac Vase
By René Lalique
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Rene Lalique Opalescent Glass 'Moissac' Vase. This pattern features deeply embossed leaves around the sides. Wheel cut makers mark, 'R LALIQUE FRANCE' to the underside. Book referenc...
Glass
French Art Deco Glass Perfume Bottle
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco molded clear glass perfume bottle with a black glass fan stopper.
Glass
Large French Blown Clear Glass Demijohn Bottle
Located in Miami, FL
Early 1900 hundreds blown glass demijohn bottle, France. This huge outstanding vessel is tall and sturdy. It's large mouth allows the bottle to hold a l...
Glass
Large Early 19th Century French Terracotta Olive Jar from Provence
Located in Dallas, TX
This large, antique earthenware olive jar was created in Southern France, circa 1830. Made of blond clay and neutral in color, the terracotta vase has a traditional round shape. The ...
Earthenware, Terracotta
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle with 2 Glasses"
By [1+2=8], Andrea Barra
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
19th Century French Terracotta Confit Pot
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French earthenware confit pot with traditional yellow glaze. Some chips and losses to glaze. These ordinary earthenware vessels were once used daily in the French cou...
Terracotta
19th Century Greek Grand Tour Terracotta Jar
Located in Bradenton, FL
Late 19th Century Grand Tour style terracotta vessel decorated with Grecian figures with Amphora form, two handles on neck. Hand painted. Dimensions: 8.5"H x 7"W; Mouth opening is ...
Terracotta
19th-Century French Glazed Earthenware Jar
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking 19th-century French earthenware water jar with a rich, timeworn surface and expressive form. This traditional utilitarian vessel was likely made in the southwest of France...
Terracotta
Old Barrel Of French Manufacture
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
Old barrel of French manufacture This cylindrical container is made of chestnut. This barrel has aged and blackened over time to the point of giving it a greyish color. This phenomenon is due to the oxidation of tannins. The cooper used this wood to age his wine in barrels. He appreciated it for its natural properties. These allow to soften the tannins, develop new aromas, clarify the wine, give the opportunity to the wine to breathe. All the circles: circle of head, circle «de bouge », circle small-collar, circle large-collar are from the time of the manufacture of the barrel. The same applies to rivets and nails. The plug is made of wood. In our interiors, this old barrel can be transformed into a functional and aesthetic room and can serve as a coffee table, side table, sink stand...
Chestnut
Brass Bound Wooden Planter
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A brass bound wooden planter. This lovely old piece is made in dark pine and brass banding A very attractive planter or a very superior waste paper...
Pine
Pair of Ceramic Vase by Joseph Talbot, Potter La Borne, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of ceramic vase by Joseph Talbot, Potter La Borne - Circa 1930 Very nice condition, enamelled stoneware Hollow stamp.
Ceramic
Ceramic Pitcher, Jug for Max Boissaud Vallauris 1960s, F150
By Vallauris
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Terracotta pitcher or chevrette from the 1950s by Max Boissaud from Vallauris. Very nice arabesque patterns on the whole of the chevrette, glazed in red and white colours. Very good ...
Terracotta