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.
Side Chair with Tubular Brass Frame Metal Mesh Seat and Ball Finials c 1930/40's
Located in New York, NY
Vintage brass side chair, constructed of tubular brass, squared brass, and metal mesh, executed in the Campaign style, probably made in Italy circa 1920/50's unsigned. The chair is...
Metal, Brass
MCM Style Directors Chairs White Chrome Attr Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros
By Virtue Brothers, Robert Kjer Jakobsen
Located in Topeka, KS
Gorgeous pair of MCM a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern Campaign style sling director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. They are in...
Chrome
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
Brass and Steel Folding Leather Campaign Chair attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This brass and steel folding leather campaign chair, attributed to Maison Jansen, is a striking example of 20th-century design that fuses classical inspiration with modern sophistica...
Brass, Steel
Early 20th Century Oak Folding Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Green stained oak chair with inset caned seat and back. Stamped PECK.
Cane, Oak
Vintage Needlepoint Director’s Chair Folding Black Brown White Geometric
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome black wood folding director’s chair with a handmade black, brown, and white geometric pattern needlepoint sling seat and back. It is in wonderful vintage condition. The wood has a new coat of black paint. The needlepoint is all intact and has been carefully cleaned. Please see photos, circa 1960s-1970s. Now this is a director’s chair!! I fell totally in love...
Textile, Wood
Pair of Marge Carson Tetes De Lion Campaign Directors Chairs
By Marge Carson
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This beautiful pair of carved wood Campaign chairs by Marge Carson with Lion's head details is large in size and style. Chairs feature leather back and seat slings with an additiona...
Brass
$16,500 / set
Pair of English Victorian Horseshoe Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of English Victorian (19/20th Cent) military style brass high back side chairs with rifle design and horseshoe seat and back
Brass
Rare circa 1890 Solid Fruitwood Brass Fitting Military Campaign Folding Chair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1890 antique Military Campaign fold chair in fruitwood with brass fittings A genuine Campaign used piece, very strong and l...
Brass
Black Leather Director's Chair
Located in Milan, IT
Natural hues of vegetable-tanned black leather and a beechwood frame finished with an ashwood varnish. Hand-sewn and assembled in Rome by Dario Alfonsi, this high version of the iconic collapsible...
Leather, Beech
Cognac Leather Director's Chair
Located in Milan, IT
Dark hues of vegetable-tanned leather and a beechwood frame finished with an ash wood varnish. Hand-sewn and assembled in Rome by Dario Alfonsi, this iconic collapsible chair...
Leather, Beech
Pair of Brutalist Chairs
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very nice sculpted rustic chairs in plain wood. Close to the work of Chapo.
Elm
$2,900 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in
Hypatia Side Chair With Unglazed Leather Seat And Back On Walnut Frame
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Hypatia side chair is beautifully Minimalist in design. Subtle and thoughtful details highlight the implicit characteristics of the materials, ultimately working in harmony to cr...
Brass
$1,822
H 29.34 in W 15.16 in D 16.54 in
Rare circa 1890 Solid Fruitwood Brass Fitting Military Campaign Folding Chair
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1890 antique Military Campaign fold chair in fruitwood with brass fittings A genuine Campaign used piece, very strong and l...
Brass
Art Deco Modernist Side Chair with Leather Seat, 1930s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant Art Deco Modernist side chair. Striking Dutch design from the 1930s. Solid original black lacquered oak frame with re-upholstered cognac leather seat. This wonde...
Leather, Oak
Rare Maison Jansen Backgammon Game Table & Chairs, Signed
Located in North Miami, FL
Alain Delon for Jansen Collection - Made in 1972. Made with brass, chrome and steel backgammon table and matching pair of armchairs with original leather/suede fabric. Smoked glass...
Brass, Copper, Nickel
$2,200 / set
H 34.5 in W 18 in D 21 in
1930s Hickory Chair Empire Klismos Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Germantown, MD
1930s Hickory Chair Company Empire Klismos style Mahogany and Upholstered Seat Side Chairs. Measure 18" in width, 21" in depth 34.5" tall. Seat height is 18".
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Chinese Chippendale Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Chinese Chippendale style chairs. Pair of Chinese Chippendale style chairs in a gorgeous blue high gloss finish. This pair ha...
Wood
$17,420 / set
H 40.56 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Josef Hoffmann attr. Pair of Extraordinary Chairs 1905-10 Jugendstil Art Nouveau
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of extraordinary chairs in the style of the early Josef Hoffmann furniture. The significant skids were used by Hoffmann in the early years of the Wiener Werkstätte from 1903 o...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Baker Neoclassical Style Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
A Classic and handsome pair of baker neoclassical style occasional chairs newly upholstered in a creamy white ecru velvet with black grosgrain detai...
Giltwood, Wood
$1,400 / set
H 31.75 in W 20 in D 16.25 in
1960s Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros Directors Chairs White Chrome
Located in Charleston, SC
MCM Style Directors Chairs White Chrome Attr Robert Kjer Jakobsen & Virtue Bros Gorgouse pair of MCM a.k.a. Mid-Century Modern Campaign style sling director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. They are in wonderful vintage condition. The sling’s have the original white leather seats and still maintain their tag on both of the chairs. The chrome x base has been cleaned and polished however there may be slight age appropriate nicks or dings. Please see photos, circa 1960-1970. These chairs will bring a sleek and sophisticated look to any room in your house. They are Campaign style director’s chairs attributed to Robert Kjer Jakobsen for Virtue Brothers. These Mid-Century Modern, circa 1960-1970 The x base is composed of a rectangular tubed chrome steel beautifully polished. They are absolutely stunning and although they are director’s chairs, they will definitely be the main act in any room you put them in! Perfect to use in a sitting room, in the kitchen at a fun little breakfast nook, at a card table or a coffee bar. They are modern style but could bring a little sass to a traditional setting as well. Come to think of it, you need these in your life no matter if your design style leans to Hollywood Regency, Campaign Style, Industrial, or Modern Country, they will be perfect! Robert Kjer Jakobsen was born in Portland, Oregon, on March 8, 1918. From 1949-1985, he was chief designer of the Los Angeles furniture company...
Chrome
Bamboo Upholstered Directors Chair in Louis Vuitton Fabric
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Design and purpose best describe this one-of-a-kind custom side chair. This piece features authentic Louis Vuitton printed fabric on a sturd...
Fabric, Bamboo
Sold
H 25.6 in W 19.3 in D 16.54 in
Rustic Straw Chair in Carved Wood with Boxwood Finish French Brutalist Folk Art
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Small rustic French chair from the 1960s in solid stained and turned boxwood, nice handmade work. Very nice vintage condition of the chair and the original mulching, note traces of u...
Straw, Boxwood
Marge Carson Pair of Campaign Chairs
By Marge Carson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Marge Carson Pair of Unique Campaign Chairs Beautiful Carved Wood with a Lion Motif Driftwood Oak and Black Leather Sling Seat/Back with Brass Support Bar Under Seat/Back ...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 35.25 in W 22 in D 16 in
Set of Four English Campaign Faux Bamboo Folding Side Chairs with Leather Seats
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage set of four English Campaign folding side chairs from the mid 20th century, with faux bamboo structure, leather seats and brass accents. C...
Brass
Saddle Leather Campaign Side Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign side chair, the padded rectangular back with a pierced carrying handle above an upholstered seat on square tapering legs joined by stretchers. Inspired by a 19th century E...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 43 in W 24 in D 23 in
10 Mid Century Drexel Heritage Campaign Style High Back Walnut Dining Chairs MCM
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Ten mid century highback dining chairs by Drexel Heritage Furniture. Made of walnut featuring geometric tweed upholstery. Measure...
Upholstery, Walnut
Leather Upholstered Campaign Side Chair
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign side chair, the padded rectangular back with a pierced carrying handle above an upholstered seat on square tapering legs joined by stretchers. Inspired by a 19th century E...
Leather, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 21.5 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Rattan & Cane Pair of Side Chairs Woven Diamond Yoke Back Off-White Twee
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of vintage rattan & cane side chairs with oatmeal or off-white nubby tweed fabric seat cushions and woven diamond pattern yoke seat backs. Beautiful condition, keeping ...
Cane, Rattan
Set of Six Campaign Style Leather and Steel Dining Chairs
Located in Chireno, TX
Set of six campaign style leather and steel dining chairs circa 1995-2005. Six campaign style folding chairs, purchased in France. Sturdy forged steel frames upholstered in thick qua...
Steel
Campaign Chairs with Green Leather and Gilt Trim, France, 1940s
By Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in Austin, TX
Stylized French campaign chairs in the manner of Giacometti with brass trim and Art Deco styled gold ball finials. Heavy steel frame, painted gre...
Steel
Sold
H 32.5 in W 19 in D 17.5 in
Folding Campaign Style Director’s Chairs Black Vinyl & Chrome Style Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome set of four folding Campaign style director’s chairs comprised of black vinyl sling seats and back, and chrome metal frame with plastic arm rests. These are done in the style of Gae Aulenti...
Chrome
19th Century Leather Campaign Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
19th century pair of campaign chairs with leather seats, arms and back. Chairs feature wrought iron bases leading to bronze details and feet, with large bronze floral medallions crow...
Bronze, Wrought Iron