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 Ottoman Coffee Table, Large Square, Custom Made In USA, Two Hides, New
By Area ID
Located in New York, NY
Large zebra ottoman, measures: 42 inches by 42 inches and 14 inches high. Great as a coffee table or ottoman. Built in our NJ factory. Made of beautiful zebra hides from South Africa...
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Ottoman with Decorative Mane, Round, Wood Legs, USA Made
By Area ID
Located in New York, NY
Decorative zebra hide ottoman. Zebra hides are from South Africa and the ottoman is made in NJ. Measures: diameter is 36 inches and height is 12 inches. The mane of the zebra is very...
Zebra Hide
$1,708 / item
H 15.95 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in
Drova 4 Pouf in Woolland Fabric by Dmytro Kozinenko — Firewood-Inspired Ottoman
Located in Kyiv, UA
The structure of the Drova pouf is a story told in four upholstered logs, stacked on top of each other the way firewood is stacked near a fireplace. Designer Dmytro Kozinenko borrowe...
Steel
$4,400 / set
H 18 in W 22 in D 19 in
Milo Baughman Style Pair of Parsons Ottomans Benches in Ivory Bouclé
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of custom Milo Baughman style Parsons ottomans benches footstools newly upholstered in soft ivory bouclé. A great choice for adding a modern sculp...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Set of custom made Gueridon Ottomans, COM fabric, Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon crafts 100% made-in-the-USA, custom-built ottomans, stools, benches, and daybeds anchored by their signature four thick L-shaped legs. OVERVIEW Since introduci...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,800
H 17 in W 22 in D 19 in
Unique French Handwoven Leather Ottoman Arts & Craft Style Made in Chicago
Located in Highwood, IL
Woven Leather Ottoman in the Style of Arts & Craft or possible early Art Deco that was custom made in our Upholstery Department. Whether by itself or positioned next a chair, thi...
Leather, Oak
Eco-Friendly Zebra Hide Cube Ottoman from South Africa
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced Burchell's Zebra hide. Due t...
Zebra Hide
Zebra Hide Footstool
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful wood and zebra hide footstool or low bench / stool, circa early to mid-20th century. Piece is rectangular with bun feet, with a footrest or seat upholstered in authentic ...
Zebra Hide, Wood
Brown Vintage Look Squared Ottoman
Located in IT
Brown vintage look squared ottoman Size to be confirmed: 120 x 120 cm H 40 cm.
Leather
$6,475
H 16.5 in W 52 in D 30.5 in
Modernist Upholstered Ottoman in Authentic Zebra Hide w/ Ebonized Walnut Base
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic modernist ottoman was realized in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century. It features a solid and elegantly propo...
Zebra Hide
Forsyth Ottoman in Zebra Hide
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
A new addition to our Originals collection. This bespoke ottoman is perfect for a variety of uses, ottoman, coffee table, bench at the end of a bed, et...
Steel
$6,410 / item
H 18 in W 24 in D 18 in
COSETTE OTTOMAN - Modern Leather Ottoman with Tibetan Mongolian Lamb Fur Pelt
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
COSETTE OTTOMAN - Modern Leather Ottoman with Tibetan Mongolian Lamb Fur Pelt The Cosette Ottoman is a one-of-a-kind piece that combines luxurious leather an...
Metal
$5,770 / set
H 12 in W 20 in D 20 in
Pair of custom made Gueridon Ottomans, COM Upholstery, Made in USA.
Located in Stratford, CT
INTRODUCTION Gueridon crafts 100% made-in-the-USA, custom-built ottomans, stools, benches, and daybeds anchored by their signature four thick L-shaped legs. OVERVIEW Since introduci...
Upholstery, Wood
Forsyth Patchwork Zebra Hide Ottoman
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Our master upholsterers create this brand new, beautiful ottoman.
Zebra Hide
The Forsyth Cloud Ottoman in Zebra Hide
Located in SAINT LOUIS, MO
Part of the Forsyth originals collection. This large, round ottoman is so versatile. It can be used as a large coffee table, just put a big tray on it, and of course a large piece fo...
Zebra Hide
John Stuart Ottoman with Sculpted Legs
By John Stuart
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large-scale John Stuart ottoman with sculpted walnut legs. Elegant Mid-Century look, new upholstery.
Round Fur Ottoman, Mongolian Sheepskin Pouf
Located in Dural, AU
This round fur ottoman will be the wow factor that your decor needs. The snow white Mongolian fur ottoman will look and feel super lush in any in...
Sheepskin
Sold
H 16.93 in W 26.38 in D 15.75 in
Pair of rustic tripod stools brutalist style Jean Touret artisan of Marolles
By Jean Touret
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Set of two rustic vintage stools with a brutalist design in the taste of Jean Touret's work. Handcrafted work done with a gouge to carve the solid...
Oak
Pair of Campaign Style Leather Folding Stools
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Contemporary pair of wood and leather folding stools made in the campaign style. Crafted from light wood poles with saddle colored leather sling...
Brass
Sold
H 14.38 in W 13.78 in D 16.93 in
French Tripod Stool from the 50's Handcrafted Solid Oak Artisanal Hand CraftF330
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
French tripod stool from the 50's, entirely hand carved in solid oak. Nice decoration on the top of the stool (see pictures). Very nice vintage condition.
Wood
Pair of Embossed Leather X-Base Stools by Tommi Parzinger
Located in New York, NY
A very rare pair of x-base benches with original embossed leather upholstery and black-finished metal / brass legs.
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 19.49 in W 19.49 in D 19.49 in
Restored Military Campaign Stool Hand Dyed Brown Leather Cushion & Drawer Brass
By Campaigner
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Military Campaign stool with hand dyed brown leather Chesterfield buttoned cushion and one internal drawer finished with brass fittings...
Brass
Ottoman by Springbok
Located in New York, NY
Decorative ottoman/footstool made of springbok hides from South Africa. The hides are beautifully matched together in a pattern.
Hide