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.
1960s Vintage Overscale Walnut, Brass Campaign-Style Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Vintage Overscale Walnut, Brass Campaign-Style Mirror Offered for sale is a vintage 1960s overscale walnut framed mirror with brass trim and copper corner details. The mirror...
Brass
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Italian Wall Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique mirror in original condition.
Wood
Vintage Henredon Style Campaign Wall Mirror With Brass Accents on Wood
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Bring a touch of polished travel-inspired adventure and classic military-campaign elegance to your hallway, bedroom, or living space with this stunning vintage Henredon style campaig...
Wood
$2,565Sale Price|20% Off
VINTAGE HARRODS KENNEDY MILITARY CAMPAiGN LARGE BRASS GLASS & HARDWOOD MIRROR
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England by REH Kennedy and retailed through Harrods London Military Campaig...
Brass
Large Brass Frame Mirror
Located in London, GB
Brass framed Italian mirror Pairs available.
Brass
Vintage Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame (circa 1960s)
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1960s). The mirror is classically-shaped and distinctive in a Modern style. It is in fair overall condition - please take note...
Brass
Vintage Italian Brass Wall Mirror
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite example of Italian Mid-Century Modern design, this large wall mirror offers a touch of timeless elegance and sophistication to any interior. The mirror is celebrated fo...
Brass
$3,357
H 29.34 in W 23.63 in D 1.78 in
Riviera Style Vintage Rattan Oval Wall Mirror Sunburst Mirror, 1960s, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid-Century Modern Vintage organic sunburst mirror or wall mirror from rattan and mirror glass, 1960s Italy. While the large Size from this sunburst mirror allows to hang up in an en...
Rattan, Mirror
$1,627 / item
H 24.41 in W 19.69 in D 1.58 in
Accent Wall Mirror Lake 4 with Madrone Veneered Wood Base by Noom
By NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
"Lakes" is a nature-inspired collection of sculptural mirrors designed by French designers Maryna Dague and Nathan Baraness. The collection takes its name from the shorelines of lake...
Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Copper, Steel, Stainle...
$933
H 28.75 in W 22.84 in D 1.58 in
Vintage Palladio Wall Mirror, Wood & Glass, Brutalist Style, 1960s
By Palladio
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful Large Vintage Wall Mirror by Palladio, Italy, 1960s. The vintage mirror is in very good vintage condition. The glass is original. The original label has been preserved. Di...
Mirror, Wood
Floor Standing Handmade Large Format Hardwood White Oak Mirror
By BDDW, Arne Jacobsen, Figure Ground, George Nakashima
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Constructed from ash the mirror is a portal to another universe. Standing at 6’+ tall it doubles space and stands at your favorite wall for the creation of the day's outfit. The larg...
Mirror, Ash
Ceramic Italian Wall Mirror
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare Italian ceramic mirror designed in the 1950s. Ceramic frame partially gold-platted. mirror about 36cm diameter.
Mirror, Ceramic
$3,745 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 1.62 in
Mid-Century Style Illuminated Wall Mirror with a Brass Frame, Vintage N.4
Located in London, London
Vintage N.4 Art deco inspired freeform mirror with an elegant brushed brass full frame and front illumination inspired. Handcrafted in London, UK using pure solid brass. Mirror dime...
Brass
$2,660Sale Price|30% Off
H 72 in W 45 in D 2.5 in
Monumental French Directoire Style Ebonized Mirror Beveled With Brass Accents
Located in Stamford, CT
A Monumental French Ebonized and parcel-gilt mirror in the style of Directoire, circa 1950s, the rectangular beveled looking glass with a panelled frame decorated by brass accents.
Wood
Large Vintage Venetian Style Etched Glass Wall Mirror
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Add timeless elegance to any interior with this large Vintage Venetian Style Etched Glass Wall Mirror, circa 1950s. Featuring a dramatic scalloped silhouette, beveled mirrored border...
Glass, Mirror
Vintage Italian Large Shield Shape Hardwood Framed Mirror
Located in Troy, MI
An elegant Italian wall mirror featuring a tall, vertical form with a distinctive serpentine-cut top edge — a graceful detail that elevates an otherwise restrained design. The slim, ...
Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
Italian Wall Mirror, Large
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and relatively large Italian wall mirror, circa mid-20th century, 1940s - 1950s, Italy. This rectangular mirror has chrome corner detail and etched design on its mirrored...
Chrome
$2,879 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 1.19 in
Mid-century Style Freeform Wall-hanging Mirror with Brass Frame, Vintage N.2
Located in London, London
Mid century style freeform wall mirror with an elegant solid brushed brass full frame. Made and designed in London, UK. This mirror is fully customisable. Mirror dimensions: H 107cm...
Brass
Murano Glass Wall Mirror with Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Murano wall mirror featuring a sculptural clear glass frame with a textured, rope-like pattern. Its softly tapered silhouette combines a rounded top with a wider, curved base...
Murano Glass
1960s Bernhardt Campaign Mirror in Brass and Wood
By Bernhardt
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Bernhardt Campaign Mirror This vintage mirror is a must-have for anyone looking to add a touch of retro style and functionality to their ho...
Brass
Sold
H 32.68 in W 37.41 in D 0.79 in
RARE STUNNING VINTAGE HARRODS REH KENNEDY MILITARY CAMPAIGN MiRROR
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Harrods REH Kennedy Military Campaign Mirror. The Vintage Harrods REH Kennedy Military Campa...
Brass
Round mirror in plant fiber
Located in Nice, FR
This mirror is all hand-woven with natural palm wood fibers. this is what makes it original. It can be placed very well in a contemporary or other decor. Located on a chest of drawer...
Natural Fiber
Sold
H 36.38 in W 52.38 in D 0.88 in
John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Campaign Walnut and Brass Wall Mirror
By John Stuart
Located in South Bend, IN
A stylish Mid-Century Modern Campaign style walnut and brass framed wall mirror By John Stuart USA, 1960s Measures: 52.38"W x 0.88"D x 36.38"H. Very good original vintage conditi...
Brass
Baker Furniture Milling Road Stepped or Beveled Walnut Mirror
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1970s Baker Furniture / Milling Road stepped or beveled mirror in a large size- 34 x 44. This piece is both substantial and well made. It offers a nice combination of quality, ...
Mirror, Walnut
Pair of Midcentury Rosewood Campaign Style Mirrors by John Stuart
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular with brass corners.
Brass
Vintage Campaign Style Wall Mirror
Located in Raymondville, TX
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Campaign style wall mirror. Wood frame with walnut veneer and brass plated metal corners. Mounting wire/hardware not included - can be strung for vert...
Metal
Large Rectangular Campaign Wall Mirror with Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large wall mirror with brass hardware in a rectangular Campaign style. The mirror glass is beveled with a full 1 inch cut.
Brass
Antique Mahogany Fluted Campaign Mirror
Located in Locust Valley, NY
Antique mahogany fluted campaign mirror with corner rosettes.
Mahogany
Red Painted Wood and Brass Campaign Style Mirror
Located in Rochester, NY
Rectangular wall mirror in the Campaign style with brass decorated corners and the original rich red orange painted factory finish. Circa 1970 - 1980. Great looking. Look at all pict...
Brass
Original Black Painted Wood and Brass Campaign Style Mirror
Located in Rochester, NY
Rectangular wall mirror in the Campaign style with brass decorated corners and original black painted factory finish. Great looking. Circa 1970 - 1980. Look at all pictures and read ...
Brass
Sold
H 48 in W 4.5 in D 35 in
Ralph Lauren Mahogany & Rattan Wall Hanging Over Mantel Mirror Bevelled Glass 48
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Dayton, OH
Traditional inspired Ralph Lauren mirror. A nice chunky mahogany frame with bevelled rattan leading to gadrooning trim. Perfect for use over a mant...
Rattan, Mirror, Mahogany
Sold
H 46.07 in W 24.02 in D 1.19 in
Lovely Pair of Tall Vintage Military Campaign Style Wall Mirrors Ebonised
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of tall Military Campaign style wall mirrors with ebonised frames and brass mounts A good looking and well made pair, they have...
Mirror, Wood
Bamboo and Grasscloth Mirror by Maitland Smith
Located in New York, NY
Stylish bamboo and grasscloth framed mirror having a rectangular frame with inset oval mirror, made by Maitland Smith. Original, clean and ready to hang. Oval mirror w/o frame H 39 i...
Bamboo, Mirror
Sold
H 50.5 in W 29.5 in D 1 in
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Campaign Burl Wood and Brass Framed Mirror
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Campaign style mirror by Baker Furniture. The mirror has a nice burl wood frame with inlaid details and brass trim. ...
Brass