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.
Folding Metal Garden Chaise Longues
Located in Sheffield, MA
The adjustable campaign style folding iron metal lounge chair is capable of several upright or flat position. The outdoor chair can also act as an armchair without the folding leg re...
Iron
Antique French Metal Campaign Chaise Chair with Custom Brazilian Cowhide Cushion
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A beautiful antique metal campaign chaise lounge from France. The chaise can be positioned into three different positions - as a chair, a traditional chaise, and a flat daybed. We custom made three cushions from our gorgeous ivory cowhide. Each cushion is generously stuffed with down feathers and a little synthetic to hold the shape. The cushions are attached with leather straps. We adore this one of a kind piece. Perfect for a sunny bedroom! Dimensions as a chaise with back...
Metal
19th Century French Folding Wrought Iron Campaign Bed
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare 19th Century French wrought iron campaign bed has folding sides and replaced burlap. Terrific vintage piece.
Wrought Iron
Forged Steel Chaise Longue
Located in Chireno, TX
Forged steel chaise longue, adorned in brass detail. Sold with newly-made tie-on upholstered cushion in antique hand-loomed French thistle and natural canvas. All...
Brass, Steel
19th Century French Louis XV Style Giltwood Bench
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French Louis XV style giltwood bench. This stunning antique French gilt wood bench has excellent patina and has been profess...
Giltwood
19th Century Swedish Painted Hall Bench, Trundle Bed
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swedish painted hall bench ~ trundle bed is the perfect selection for the active family! By day, a handsome, country style hall bench ~ by nig...
Wood
19th Century Louis XVI Style Settee
Located in Belmont, MA
Elaborate Louis XVI style settee, finely carved pearwood. Straight back crowned with wreath, upholstered seat and back, ending on round tapered baluster legs. Originally the settee b...
Pearwood
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge W/ Red Velvet
Located in Astoria, NY
A traditional late 19th-century Napoleon III chaise or daybed lounge sourced from Provence, France. Beautifully handcrafted from solid wood, it features elegant oval-back frames with...
Velvet, Wood
Fine Antique French Style Chaise With Custom Fabric
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine Antique Chaise with sinuous lines, strongly carved cabriole legs, rolled back, pierced and carved wood frame and custom upholstery. The fabric treatment is a Champagne tone nu...
Fabric, Mahogany
Mid-Century Modern Chaise Lounge, Hardwood & Boucle, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
This sculptural chaise lounge, attributed to the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios, was produced in Brazil during the 1960s, a period when Brazilian modern furniture reached full maturity—bal...
Hardwood, Bouclé
Wrought Iron Garden Patio Poolside Chaise Lounge Att. to Woodard
Located in New York, NY
Stylish wrought iron and metal mesh adjustable chaise lounge attributed to the Woodard Furniture Company. The chaise has a reclining backrest, and wheels to easily move the piece. Pe...
Wrought Iron
French 19th Century Chaise in Muslin
Located in Buchanan, NY
This elegant French Napoleon III chaise longue in muslin is classic and timeless. Its sophisticated "chapeau de gendarme" shape is one of its most distinctive features, evoking a sen...
Upholstery
Mid 19th Century Chaise Longue
Located in Batley, GB
An elegant mid 19th century country house chaise longue. The walnut frame raised on turned and chamfered front legs with splayed rear legs and all with the original brass casters. En...
Walnut
19th Century French Napoleon III Chaise Lounge W/ Off-White Fabric
Located in Astoria, NY
An elegant late 19th-century French Napoleon III chaise lounge, sourced from Provence, France. Expertly handcrafted from solid wood, it features a refined square back and gracefully ...
Cotton, Wood, Walnut
19th Century French Garden Chaise
Located in Charleston, SC
Rare 19th century iron French garden chaise. A delightful piece made of hand-forged iron -now patinated with rust with natural colored antique linen.
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 31.5 in W 63.5 in D 32.5 in
Triple Strand Rattan Sofa & Chair Orange Fabric Cushions Style Heywood Wakefield
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage triple strand rattan sofa and chair in the style of Heywood Wakefield with zippered orange nubby fabric and original foam filled cushions. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are a couple of stains on the spring covers. It has been vacuumed, the frames have been cleaned and a coat of amber sealer. The fabric and cushions are in wonderful condition but there is a “crispy” sound to them. It is not the cushions but a backing on the fabric. Some may want to recover. Priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Early 1900’s-1940’s...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 29 in D 31 in
Rattan Lounge Chair & Ottoman Orange Fabric Cushions by Helmers Manufacturing Co
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage rattan lounge chair and ottoman by Helmers Manufacturing Company with spring seat and ottoman cushions and nubby orange fabric. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. It has been cleaned, vacuumed, and a fresh coat of amber sealer on the rattan. The cushion sound “crispy” but it is not the cushions. It is the vintage backing on the fabric. Although the fabric is in great condition and a fabulous color, you may choose to recover. They are priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Early 1900’s-1940’s. “In order to write about life, first you must live it.” -Ernest Hemingway. Well…lean back, put your feet up, and live your BEST life lounging in this phenomenal rattan lounge chair and ottoman by Helmers Manufacturing Company!! This is a gorgeous lounge chair and ottoman comprised of rattan frames and wraps, pillow back cushion, spring seat and ottoman cushion wearing a fabulous nubby orange fabric. Although we don’t believe the fabric to be original, we expect it was reupholstered sometime in the 1950’s, and it’s in good condition! The cushions are a bit stiffer and make some crispy sounds (we believe this to be from the backing on the fabric) so some will want to recover at some point, but it can be used as is for quite some time. This set bares a lot of styles including campaign, Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, and rustic. We also think this set looks like something right out of Earnest Hemingway’s living room with an “Out of Africa” inspired style! It also has a Ralph Lauren feel. It’s just FABULOUS!! It has straight wide arms consisting of three double rattan bars that curve around to the bottom front of the seat cushion. The ottoman slopes back with a nice angle so your feet hang down comfortably. This is just the set you need to kick your feet up and relax in your Coastal or Island style sitting room, in the study facing the fireplace, or maybe out on the Lanai or sunroom. Henry J, Helmers Sr. was a native of Germany but came to America as an infant with his parents. Approximately 1870 they moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. He worked hard and early in life at whatever jobs he could but was unhappy and life was tough. Eventually he became a barber and practiced for some time but was unfulfilled. He disposed of his barber business and began to focus on producing a barber supply line, which he did until 1881, when he added the manufacture of furniture. In 1888 Mr. Helmers organized Helmers Manufacturing Company and manufactured a general line of furniture. In 1901 he established a branch in Kansas City and in 1905 built a jobbing house there. The Helmers Manufacturing Company Building was built in 1909 to accommodate an expanding furniture...
Metal
French Cold Steel Daybed
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a unique daybed. The sleigh form campaign furniture is made of cold steel. From the 19th Century, it comes with a mattress that has been recently reupholstered in off-white B...
Steel
19th Century French Iron and Brass Campaign Daybed
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th century iron and brass Campaign daybed, France, circa 1890s. It was upholstered in the early 2000s in it's current fabric. It can be used as is, or we can reupholster it in your...
Brass, Iron
Sold
H 36 in W 26 in D 42 in
Antique Tufted Leather Folding Campaign Library Recliner Chair, circa 1900
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Colonial folding armchair in the style of Herbert McNair. This padouk wood styled adjustable reclining library chair features a button-tufted black le...
Metal
Marks Adjustable Folding Chair Company Campaign Style Invalid Deck Chair
By Cavedra B. Sheldon, Marks Adjustable Chair Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Antique adjustable folding Campaign style invalid chair or deck chair by the Marks Adjustable Chair Co. This circa late 19th Century chair is in fabulous...
Iron
Sold
H 34 in W 23.5 in D 44 in
Pair of British Campaign Folding and Adjustable Chairs with Extendable Leg Rests
Located in Nantucket, MA
This pair of chairs are sisters, not twins as they are not identical but make a nice pairing. Mid-Century, Colonial British Campaign teak and canvas folding chairs...
Canvas, Teak
Antique Rattan Chaise Longue
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Unique antique chaise longue having a dark wooden frame, probably walnut, with woven rattan seat and back. Brass caps at each corner.
Rattan
American Antique Adjustable Folding Campaign Chair
By Marks A.F. Chairs Limited NY
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
The design for the chair is derived from European late 18th century portable metal Campaign furniture used by military officers in the field. ...
Metal