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.
Costa Rican Campaign Style Teak Brown Leather Folding Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Costa Rican Campaign Style Teak Brown Leather Folding Rocker Rocking Chair. I...
Leather, Wood
3 Pc. Suite Safari Chairs and Ottoman by Gold Metal Furniture Racine, Wisconsin
Located in New York, NY
Chic voguish set of Safari style chairs (2) and ottoman (1) manufactured by the Gold Metal Furniture Company Racine, WI. circa 1960's. Rare and unus...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,600Sale Price|54% Off
Italian Antique Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal base and the fruit wood rocking chair early 20th century. Rocking chair is from the Bassano Del Grappa in Veneto region. we are offering In ho...
Metal
$2,266Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.52 in W 25.01 in D 33.47 in
Antique Rocking Chair, English, Walnut, Armchair, Rocker, Victorian, Circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique rocking chair. An English, walnut framed armchair rocker, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1880. Relax and soothe the day...
Textile, Walnut
$6,601 / item
H 28.75 in W 28.35 in D 30.32 in
Customizable ClassiCon Euvira Rocking Chair by Jader Almeida
Located in New York, NY
The Euvira rocking chair by Jader Almeida is a masterful blend of yesterday and today, lightness and solidity. With its precisely orchestrated flowing li...
Oak
$850
H 33 in W 20.5 in D 36 in
Vermont Tubbs Oak Bentwood Snowshoe Rawhide Lacing Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Vermont Tubbs snowshoe rocking chair featuring an oak frame with rawhide lacing. Dimensions: 36" x 20.5" x 33"h, seat 17.5" to 14"
Hide, Oak, Bentwood
$695Sale Price|28% Off
H 39.375 in W 35 in D 21.5 in
Danish Mid-Century Pine and Rush Rocking Chair Inspired by Charlotte Perriand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Danish Mid-Century pine and rush rocking chair inspired by Charlotte Perriand, Les Arc series. In good original condition with nice patina and visible wear. Condition is consistent w...
Rush, Pine
Big Kids Maple Windsor Rocking Chair Rocker
Located in Germantown, MD
Elegant Classic Windsor style rocking chair for big kids. Optional cushion available. Great vintage condition. Measures 21.75W at the arms, 22.75"D x 32"H. Seat height is 11" and ...
Maple
$6,167
H 42.92 in W 22.45 in D 45.28 in
19th C Country House Campaign Ox Blood Leather Iron Rocking Chair R.W. Winfield
By R.W. Winfield Birmingham
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A Victorian cast iron and leather upholstered rocking armchair attributed to R.W.Winfield second half 19th century in age. The original ox blood button upholstered leather seat above the metal frame with gilt brass screw-caps and bent stops, Marks, knocks, scratches, abrasions consistent with age and use. The Ox-blood red leather with old splits and cracks and signs of use, but perfectly fit for use. The original rear fabric covering heavily ripped and wouldn't effect the chair if removed or replaced. The frame is solid and stable with no signs of repair., the gilt brass caps with some dirt and discolouration. The cast iron frame with an aged patina of mottled blackening, rust, scratches and abrasions. A completely untouched and very early example of a Winfield rocker. Provenance: Berwick House, ShropshireSimilar models of cast iron rocking chairs...
Iron
Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina
By Cassina
Located in London, GB
An incredible and very rare rocking chair (has been attributed to Gio Ponti in the past and shows a strong and striking resemblance to his designs) in walnut, rubber and fabric for C...
Steel
$1,695
H 39 in W 20.5 in D 40 in
1970’s Bauhaus Style Chrome Tube Bentwood & Cane Rocking Chair or Rocker
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Bauhaus style rocking chair or rocker comprised of a chrome tube frame and bentwood trim surrounding a cane seat & back. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that t...
Chrome
Antique Venetian Carved Grotto Rocking Chair, ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique handcarved Venetian rocking chair in grotto design. Seat and backrest in the shape of sea shells, backrest supported by a sea horse. ...
Wood
Antique Rocking Chair Solid Oak Cane Seat
Located in Pasadena, TX
Antique Rocking Chair in solid oak with a cane Seat in good condition. This chair features a leafy, scalloped crest above turned spindles. It 's a beautiful antique piece to make a b...
Cane, Wood, Oak
Antique European Craftsman Rocking Chair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
DETAILS DETAILS. The handmade details of this Antique European Craftsman Rocking Chair. are unmatched. No glue, no nails, just dowels and tons of character. Such a cool, BESPOKE a...
Pine
Caned Rocking Chair Made by Porino, Italy, 1930s
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
An extraordinary and very rare rocking chair originating from the 1930s, meticulously crafted and designed by Ditta Porino of Torino, Italy. The design of this piece evokes awe thro...
Cane, Beech
Antique Tapestry Campaign Folding Rocking Chair
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Vintage folding campaign or camp rocking chair. Eastlake style detail with finial tops. Nice flame stitch upholstery. Folds up for ease of transport and storage.
Tapestry, Wood
Vintage Leather Campaign Style Folding Rocker
Located in Chicago, IL
Leather straps on wood frame. Folds.
Leather, Wood
Antique Brass Rocking Chair / Seat Cloth by Blue Tip Atelier
By R. W. Winfield & Co.
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Antique brass rocking chair from Sweden. The seat was made by the Japanese contemporary design unit "Blue Tip atelier". "Blue Tip atelier" carefully develops "Imagine," "Dyed," "...
Brass
Sold
H 41.74 in W 24.81 in D 33.08 in
Original R.W Winfield Steel, Brass and Leather Rocker Third Quarter 19th Century
By R. W. Winfield & Co.
Located in London, GB
Designed by R Winfield, a landmark modernist piece hugely ahead of its time, as exhibited at the 1851 exhibition. This is a statement chair, with exquisite lines and hugely comfortable. The soft tan leather is original, it is scuffed, but not torn and the gorgeous patina has discolouration that only comes with time, commensurate with it's age. Robert winfield: This style of chair is named after its designer Robert Winfield, who was known as a highly innovative furniture maker. R.W Winfield advertised themselves as makers of patent military and Campaign furniture. Campaign pieces are furniture items made specifically for travel, being designed in such a way that they could be carried with ease with either chunky brass handles or dismantled completely to be packed away for long voyages. Winfield supplied the gentleman traveller, the army officer, the colonial official and the Empire builders of the day with high quality portable brass armchairs, tables, beds and all sorts of much needed comforts to remind them of home whist they were travelling through the wilderness or setting up a new residence in the tropics. The Great Exhibition: The Great Exhibition in 1851 was the first international exhibition of manufactured products. It was organised by Henry Cole...
Brass, Steel
19th Century Campaign Iron with Leather Rocking Chair R.W. Winfield
By R. W. Winfield & Co.
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Early Modernism. Created out of Strap Iron and Leather, in complete original condition. Beautiful sculpted hand forged iron which completely breaks dow...
Iron
Costa Rican Leather Campaign Rocking Arm Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
A set of two vintage, Costa Rican leather campaign, rocking arm chairs. They are collapsible, to allay space restrictions and are made with tanned le...
English Winfield Style Iron Chair
By R. W. Winfield & Co.
Located in Winnetka, IL
19th century English cast iron chair attributed to Robert Winfield having white canvas upholstery. The chair has all the accoutrements expected with Campaign furniture of its era; in...
Brass, Iron