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.
French Antique Confit Pot Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
French Antique Confit Pot Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
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
Large Late 19th Century English Blue Willow Deep Platter
By Allertons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous deep and large blue willow platter from England. Late 19th century in excellent condition with no damage, chips or cracks. Excellent color retention. The best serving platte...
Porcelain, Ironstone
19th Century Anglo-Indian Brass Mount Campaign Style Cellarette on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful hardwoods and cast brass fittings. Holds 12 bottles. Top is removable from base. Recently refinished. Measures 18" in width, 14" in depth, stands 31" tall. Bottle slots are...
Brass
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
French Niderviller Faience "Saint Petersburg" Holiday Coffee & Serving Set 7
By Niderviller Porcelain Manufactory
Located in London, England
Elevate your holiday table or winter decor with this magnificent, complete fine French earthenware set from the prestigious Manufacture de Niderviller (Lorraine, founded in 1735, one...
Faience
French Antique Confit Pot Green Yellow Redware Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
$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
Regency Mahogany and Brass Campaign Double Wine Cooler
Located in Essex, MA
Purchased at Sothebys in New York twenty years ago for 10,000 this unusual piece with two bottle compartments with removable cover. Brass strapped mahogany case with rounded corners....
Brass
French Antique Confit Pot Cruche Yellow Redware Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot Cruche from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for watter . This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique pott...
Pottery
$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
A Pair of Collapsable Travelling Treen Egg Cups What fun, an “egg”
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Collapsable Travelling Treen Egg Cups What fun, an “egg” and when broken apart the turned bases are inside. Beautifully and skilfully turned from sycamore in the 19th cent...
Sycamore
Italian Large Pines Decorated Terracotta Vase, 1940s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian large pines decorated terracotta vase, 1940s.
Terracotta
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
19th Century "Blue Willow" Platter
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English platter in the highly collectible "Blue Willow" pattern. The platter is in vibrant hues of blue and the transfer is ...
Ceramic
French Confit Pot
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French confit pot. 1890. Has some historical damage. Dimensions 11.5 inches (29 cms) High 9.5 inches (24 cms) Diameter.
Pottery
$1,932
H 5.91 in W 7.49 in D 5.12 in
Italy Late 18th Century Doccia Richard Ginori Porcelain Tea Pot Floral Drawings
Located in Brescia, IT
Doccia, Richard Ginori 1750 porcelain tea pot with multi-color floral drawings, Italy. This porcelain tea pot with multicolors floral drawing is an elegant piece, useful to enrich ...
Porcelain
Small 19th Century Yellow Glazed French Ceramic Confit Jar #3
Located in Munich, DE
Beautiful small confit jar with its characteristic yellow glaze. Confit jars were used primarily in the South of France for the preservation of meats such as duck or goose for dishes such as cassoulet or foie gras...
Terracotta
French Confit Pot
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th C French confit pot. 1890. Has some historical damage. Dimensions: 12.5 inches (32 cms) High 11.5 inches (29 cms) Diameter.
Pottery
Compton Pottery Celtic Style Terracotta Pot
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English Compton Pottery Celtic style terracotta pot or planter dating from the early 20th century. With its spectacular red colour and Art Nouveau style...
Terracotta
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
French Antique Pair of "Pebble-Pot" Raised Garden Planters
Located in East Point, GA
A French pair of 22" tall raised outdoor planters from the early 20th century. This antique pair of planters from France have been made of cast stone and have playfully decorated sheathed exteriors which have been tiled with stone pebbles...
Cast Stone
Italian Modern Drinks Cart or Bar Trolley of Chrome and Brass
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Italian Modern drinks cart or bar trolley featuring an elegant three-tier rectangular frame of chrome and brass. Top and bottom tiers with clear glass inset shelves, while the...
Metal, Steel, Chrome, Brass
$6,900
H 58.86 in W 35.63 in D 18.9 in
19th-Century Portuguese Cabinet on Stand – Exquisite National Style
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
19th-Century Portuguese Cabinet on Stand – Exquisite National Style A remarkable 19th-century Portuguese cabinet on stand, crafted in the National Portuguese style from Imbuia wood a...
Brass
Bottle opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Bottle opener around 1950s Original condition
Brass
Large Green Terracotta Confit Pot, France 19th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
A large and beautiful antique Provençal terracotta confit pot, glazed in a stunning deep green. Featuring two side handles, this pot would have originally served a very utilitarian purpose in a French kitchen, stored in a stone-lined larder or outhouse to keep all...
Earthenware, Terracotta
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
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
French Antique Confit Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 9.85 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
French Antique Confit Yellow Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 7.49 in W 6.7 in D 9.06 in
XL French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 7.48 in W 7.87 in D 7.87 in
French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 9.05 in W 9.84 in D 9.84 in
XL French Antique Confit Pot Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 8.66 in W 9.05 in D 9.05 in
XL French Antique Confit Green Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot France
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antique p...
Pottery
Sold
H 12.2 in W 11.02 in D 9.48 in
XL French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
Sold
H 12.2 in W 11.02 in D 9.48 in
XL French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
Sold
H 13.78 in W 11.81 in D 8.26 in
XXL French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
Sold
H 13.39 in W 12.6 in D 11.02 in
XXL French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
XL French Antique Confit Pot Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
XS French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
Sold
H 13.39 in W 12.6 in D 11.02 in
XXL French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery
Sold
H 2.5 in W 14.75 in D 11 in
Vintage Mid Century Brass and Rosewood Flatware Set, 12 Place Settings
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage brass and rosewood flatware set with serving pieces. Set includes: 12 Dinner forks 12 Knives 12 Tablespoons 12 Teaspoons 2 Ser...
Brass
French Antique Confit Redware Faience Yellowware Art Pottery Pot
Located in Lège Cap Ferret, FR
A rustic French confit pot from the late nineteenth / early twentieth-century. Originally used for storing preserves. This would make a lovely addition to a collection of antiq...
Pottery