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.
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
Sheffield Bottle Opener with Bamboo Handle British Campaign Design Gucci Style
An English Sheffield stainless steel bottle opener with a natural bamboo handle, Campaign design style, circa mid‑ to late‑20th century, England. The stainless head is marked “Sheffi...
Stainless Steel
$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
$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
$184Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.97 in W 1.97 in D 9.06 in
Modern Copper Straw Bar Set Presented in an Agate Decorated Lucite Box
By Egg Designs
Located in Bothas Hill, KZN
These modern copper straws are presented in a Lucite box decorated with a Rose Quartz Agate cabochon. This unique and bespoke copper straw set is part of the Egg Designs Dawa luxury bar set collection and will be a great addition to any home cocktail bar...
Quartz, Copper, 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
$2,942
H 5.2 in W 8.7 in D 5.7 in
Very Cool French Early 1900s Stack of Leather Books Tantalus Liquor / Drinks Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique stack of leather books design tantalus with hidden 'shot glasses' & decanters. If you are looking for the most interesting and worldly gift for yourself, a friend or a loved ...
Gold Leaf
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
Christofle Corkscrew Bottle Opener
By Christofle
Located in Mérida, YU
French Corkscrew bottle opener manufactured by Christofle in the 1970s. Silverpalted with very elegant handle. Very good condition.
Metal
English c. 1835 Coromandel Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1835 English coromandel jewelry box. "Secret" release tray in base. Bramah type lock. Brass engraving shield, no monogram. Fine quality interior brass engraved mounts and hardw...
Wood
French Silver-Plated Owl Bottle Opener, 1970s Modernist Design
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A charming French bottle opener from the 1970s, crafted in silver-plated metal and designed as a stylized owl. Its modernist silhouette is enhanced by finely detailed eyes and textur...
Silver Leaf
$895
H 0.25 in W 4 in D 4 in
Vintage PIero Fornasetti Chariot Coasters, Porcelain &Gold Set of 8 Barware 60's
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage hallmarked Piero Fornasetti coasters are porcelain with gold. They are of the Roman Chariot design. Marked Fornasetti MIlano Made In Ita...
Gold
Bottle opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener around 1950s Original condition
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
$1,070
H 23.5 in W 29.45 in D 17.75 in
French Mid-Century Three-Tier Bar Cart Trolley In Lucite And Brass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
French Mid-Century three-tier bar cart trolley in lucite, brass and glass shelves.
Cut Glass, Lucite
French Hollywood Regency Brass Bar Cart with Star Motif c. 1960s
By Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
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
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...