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.
$100Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Red Lacquered Campaign Style Coasters- Set of 8
Located in Cordova, SC
Lovely set of campaign style coasters that are painted in a gloss red lacquer. The holder has brass accents on the corners of the face reminiscent of campaign style furniture. There ...
Wood, Cork, Lacquer
English Campaign Style Mahogany & Brass Oval 3 Tier Rolling Bar Cart Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Antique English Campaign Style Mahogany & Brass Oval 3 Tier Rolling Bar Cart Side Tab...
Brass
$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...
Crystal, Silver, Brass
Brass Bar Cart with Aged Mirror and Leather
By Loyzaga
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
The Vendôme Bar Cart is perfect to style any room. That's why it remains one of our bestselling pieces. It is made by our craftsmen in brass, with age mirror and leather making it ...
Brass
$800 / set
H 9 in W 7.25 in D 9.5 in
Memphasis Sunburst Pattern Post Modern Lacquer Ice Bucket with Coaster Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Georges Briard Memphasis plastic-lacquer ice bucket in the Sunburst pattern, along with the corresponding coaster set, inspired by the Memphis Art Movement, produced in Japan, 1985...
Plastic
Vintage mid century modern Italian pink coasters and matching set
Located in Houston, TX
Italian marble coasters, in good condition. The coasters measure approximately 3" in diameter. The base is approximately 3.75" wide x almost 2" thick x slightly over 1.5" high
Marble
$780Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.5 in Dm 4.5 in
Complete set of Vintage Piero Fornasetti Love Coasters in Original Box
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very nice set of vintage LOVE coasters by the great Piero Fornasetti from the 1950s. There are eight coasters, each with a different phrase on the subject of love. The co...
Ceramic
French Hollywood Regency Brass Bar Cart with Star Motif c. 1960s
By Maison Baguès, Maison Jansen
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Roll into cocktail hour in style with this chic French 1960s Hollywood Regency Maison Jansen / Maison Baguès attributed brass bar cart. Glamorous. Ornate. Festive. The details. Two tiers both with glass shelves surrounded by pierced brass galleries that showcase a rare and unique star motif. The stars add a regal look and shine. Serving cocktails or nosh is easy. Top shelf lifts easily an functions as a serving tray with ornate brass handles. Empirical neoclassical inspired leg detail. Light patina throughout highlights a look of old money...
Brass
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 6 in W 15.5 in D 11 in
19th Century English Gentleman's Mahogany and Brass Campaign Jewelry Box
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
High quality English mahogany and brass fine jewelry box that was likely used for stationary as well. Attention to detail, originality and surviving k...
Brass
$1,158
H 50 in W 12.5 in D 9.75 in
Mahogany Wood Vintage Handmade Jewelry Casket Box Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Absolutely Stunning Ladys or Gentlemans Jewellery Casket of outstanding quality and of generous size, made in Ireland by renowned cabinet makers Mannings of Ireland, using well figur...
Walnut
$1,168
H 7.75 in W 14 in D 9.75 in
Burl Walnut Thuya Wood Handmade Jewelry Casket Box Manning of Ireland Irish New
Located in Dublin, Ireland
This rare North African Thuya Wood Jewellery Casket was manufactured by the famed manning of Ireland company and is truly a jewel of handcrafted genius. This box is constructed of th...
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,316
H 30.32 in W 27.96 in D 16.54 in
Fabulous Art Deco Streamline Drinks Hostess Bar Cart Trolley, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
A stylish 1930s Art Deco hostess or cocktail trolley cart made in England. This beautiful cart/trolley has three tiers and stands on tapered three legs with its original rubber and c...
Metal
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...
Brass
Antique Figured Coromandel Brass Box / Casket 19th Century
Located in London, GB
This is a magnificent antique brass bound coromandel Victorian Gothic Revival casket by Parkins and Gotto, 24 & 25 Oxford Street, London, circa 1860...
Brass
$540 / set
H 0.08 in Dm 3.94 in
Set of 2 Round Coasters in Corno Italiano and Lacquered Wood, Mod. 220
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Playing a funtional yet decorative role, these round coasters are a clever blend of exclusive materials and gentle shapes. Handcrafted from lacquered wood with cream-colored finish, ...
Wood
Square Ice Bucket
Located in NYC, NY
Square tan leather ice bucket with matching tongs.
Leather
Vintage Set of Drinking Vessels Wrapped in Wicker or Cane
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage set of drinking vessels, each wrapped in wicker or cane including two flasks with screw off caps and two matching glasses. Perfect for a picnic or any outdoor excursion. M...
Wicker
19th Century Georgian Campaign Decanter Box
Located in Hixson, TN
A striking English mahogany Campaign decanter box with four bottles. Fine brass work is applied to the box, giving the Campaign style look. Corne...