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.
Zebra Hide Rug, South Africa, Wool Felt Backed with Leather Trim, New Hide
Located in New York, NY
Decorative new zebra hide rug from South Africa. The hide is backed with wool felt fabric and trimmed with leather all around. This zebra hide in the pictures is sold but we will ha...
Zebra Hide
$3,200Sale Price|23% Off
Symbolic Turkish Sivas Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A highly inspiring directional Turkish sivas carpet woven for the Turkish government. Inscribed is the name of the regime at the time, "OSMANI". You also see the same elements seen in the Turkish flag...
Wool
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Zabihi Collection Turkish Hereke Rug
Located in New York, NY
A one of a kind small finely woven turkish rug. We can also see this piece be used as a wall covering. 4'3" x 5'10"
Wool
$1,438
Kilim KONYA Runner
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Turkish carpet from the city of Konya, famous for its carpet and kilim weaving. This one has warm sunny colors and can be set anywhere. On request I can also supply rubber under th...
Wool
Oversize Vintage 20th Century Turkish Oushak
Located in New York, NY
An enormous Turkish Oushak in candy color accents on a bone color ground. Full pile excellent condition. Measures: 14'5'' x 24'1''.
Wool
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
Gomez Zebra Hide Rug Trimmed in Light Brown Italian Leather
By Jose Gomez
Located in Saint Louis, US
Come and browse our selection of South African Zebra Rugs. With our superb craftsmanship and quality stock, we can assure you that this stable luxury item will last for years to come...
Leather, Zebra Hide
Vintage Konya Kilim Runner
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful vintage Turkish Konya Kilim runner with beautiful natural brown, black, cream, and gray stripes mixed with crimson and lavender vegetable dyed stripes, all with embroider...
Wool
Mid-20th Century Handmade Turkish Oushak Throw Rug in Muted Neutral Tones
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Turkish Oushak throw rug handmade during the mid-20th century with a muted and neutral color palette. Measures: 3' 5" x 7' 0".
Wool
Antique Konya Hotamis Runner Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is Central Anatolian antique Kilim from the Konya - Hotamis region with a rare and beautiful color composition. It belongs to the scallop from the Konya region of Central Anato...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Antique Turkoman Asmalyk Camel Trapping Textile Wall Hanging
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare Turkoman hand-knotted decorative asmalyk which is a camel trapping used in weddings. Measures: 31 inches tall to end of tassels. See other measurem...
Wool
20th Century Vintage Turkish Oushak
Located in Paradise Valley, AZ
Stunning 1960's Turkish Oushak, displaying a tan background and border with brown and subtle notes of olive green highlights throughout. Handwoven by Turkey's finest, using pure hand...
Wool
handmade Silk Hereke Rug, Turkey, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Exquisite design and quality workmanship silk Hereke rug - a true masterpiece that will elevate the decor of any space. This rug has been hand-knotted with great care and precision t...
Silk
Gomez Zebra Hide Rug Trimmed in Black Italian Leather
By Jose Gomez
Located in Saint Louis, US
Come and browse our selection of South African Zebra Rugs. With our superb craftsmanship and quality stock, we can assure you that this stable luxury item will last for years to come...
Leather, Zebra Hide
$2,500 / item
W 72 in L 108 in
New Non Felted Trophy Grade Burchell Zebra Skin Rug Hide Carpet Decor Flooring
Located in Farmington, UT
Elevate your space with this striking Burchell non felted zebra skin rug, measuring an impressive 9 feet from tip of nose to tip of tail and 6 feet wide. This authentic, hide showcas...
Zebra Hide
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
Vintage Turkish Konya Kilim Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A vintage Turkish Konya handwoven cotton kilim rug with a cream field and multiple pairs of black stripes.
Cotton
Zabihi Collection Worn Green Turkish Hereke Rug
Located in New York, NY
a late 19th-century Turkish Hereke worn rug in moss green and raspberry tones Details rug no. 31621 size 5' 2" x 8' 1" (157 x 246 cm)
Wool
19th Century Antique Shirvan Caucasian Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
AN intermediate square size antique Caucasian shirvan pictorial rug circa 1875. Measures: 4'1" x 4'9''.
Wool
Zebra Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful zebra rug. This one is extra white which is very hard to find. Backed with wool and trimmed all around with leather.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Rug, South Africa, Chocolate Brown, In Stock
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful zebra rug. This one is extra white which is very hard to find. Backed with wool felt and trimmed all around with leather. The zebra hide comes from South Africa.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful zebra hide rug with wool backing and leather trimming all around the hide. South Africa.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Rug
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful zebra hide with wool backing and leather trimming all around.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Rug Hide
Located in New York, NY
Decorative zebra hide backed with wool felt and trimmed around the edges with a leather trim.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Rug
Located in New York, NY
Decorative zebra hide rug. Trimmed with leather all around the edges and backed with wool fabric.
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Rug
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful zebra hide rug backed with wool fabric and trimmed with leather. This zebra hide is unusually light in color which is very hard to find.
Zebra Hide
Antique Persian Tabriz Full Pile Carpet
Located in New York, NY
Full pile Persian Tabriz carpet featuring a pristine all-over design navy blue field. Purchased from a private estate in Manhattan, the previous owner kept this rug in their home lib...
Wool
Vintage Turkish Oushak Medallion Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
Classic medallion vintage Turkish Oushak at a modestly low price.
Wool
19th Century Antique Pictorial Bird Kazak Caucasian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful intermediate size antique Caucasian Kazak rug featuring a set of birds with predominant accents in vivid reds, ivory, forest green and ivory. ...
Wool