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.
Neoclassical Steel & Brass Folding Campaign Stools, Italy, 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of steel and brass Neoclassical X base folding Campaign stools attributed to Maison Jansen.
Brass, Steel
Vintage English Campaign Style Stool with Reversible Leather Top For Table Use
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Dapper vintage British colonial style ottoman or table crafted in mahogany and featuring a reversible top. One side featuring an original button tufted leather highlighted in brass t...
Brass
Leather and Chrome Campaign Bench or Stool
Located in New York, NY
A well-made leather and chrome 'X' bench or stool, in the campaign modern style, circa 1970s. Stool/bench seat has a brown leather top (brown leather with red-ish undertones), brass detail and an 'X' chrome frame. Frame is a niece weight. Great as a seat (its intended use), or to hold/display books...
Chrome
Set of 3 Vintage Wood Framed Rush Seat Bar Stools, Circa 1960
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Set of 3 Wood Framed Rush Seat Bar Stools Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage - Mid Century - Bar - Stool Measures : Base : 40x40cm Seated: 26.5x26.5cm H:74cm Materials : Wood...
Rush, Wood
$4,352Sale Price|20% Off
33/200 STEWART LINFORD ADMIRAL NELSON TRAFALGAR BICENTENARY H.M.S ViCTORY STOOL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime, Limited Edition 33/200 Stewart Linford Admiral Lord Nelson stool made from Oak and Copper from...
Copper
$3,770
H 17.5 in W 19 in D 14 in
French Modern Neoclassical Bench or Stool in the Manner of Andre Arbus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant French modern neoclassical / Directoire style stoolsin the manner of Andre Arbus with base in a Classic curile X-form.
Mahogany
$1,370
H 19 in W 19.25 in D 14.25 in
English Art Deco Sycamore Dressing Table Stool with New Flowery Top Cover
Located in High Peak, GB
K0644 Stylish and very attractive English Art Deco dressing table stool in sycamore, having drop in seat with new floral top cover enclosed in a beautiful sycamore frame with rounded...
Sycamore
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood...
Wood, Oak
$4,429 / set
H 40.95 in W 15.36 in D 15.36 in
Set of 4 Razorblade Bar Stools in Solid Oak and Rush 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Set of 4 Razorblade Bar Stools in Solid Oak and Rush 1960s This is a wonderful set of unusual mid century bar stools in solid oak and rush. They feature a very interesting design w...
Rush, Oak
George Nelson Vanity Stool Model 4672 for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Hanover, MA
George Nelson vanity bench stool model N° 4672 for Herman Miller, designed 1946. Aluminum rods, foam, original fabric covering. Original Herman Miller label present. Produced by Herman Miller from 1946 to 1956. One owner. Cushion dimensions ~3 inches high by 19 inches wide by 15 inches deep.
Aluminum
$3,850
H 20 in W 30 in D 13 in
Single Custom Channel Tufted Blue Soft Leather Waterfall Stool or Bench, Italy
Located in New York, NY
Single custom made channel tufted blue soft leather waterfall stool or bench, handcrafted in Florence, Italy by an artisan carpenter. One of a kind. Soft Italian leather in a sophist...
Leather, Wood
$1,032Sale Price|50% Off
H 19.69 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
Set of 4 Retro 1960s Wooden Seat with Metal Frame Tomado Stools
By Adriaan Dekker, Tomado
Located in Markington, GB
A stylish set of four retro stools produced in the 1960s by Tomado. These classic pieces feature square wooden seats set on minimalist metal frames, perfectly capturing the clean and...
Metal
George Nelson Stool by Herman Miller, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Berlin, DE
George Nelson Stool for Herman Miller, USA - 1960s in all original condition with the rare brown base George Nelson (1908-1986) was an American industrial designer and architect who...
Metal
Rare 1960s Walnut Adrian Pearsall Sculptural Stool Bench Ottoman
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Inc. from the 'Stingray' Series. Can be matched with the Model 2466-C Lounge Armchair. Tight and sturdy frame. Architectural form, with staved A...
Walnut
Minimalist Beech Wood Stool, France, 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Elegant stool in the style of Pierre Gautier Delaye Seat is elegantly embossed Good vintage condition minor loss on one corner (please see picture 14) Price does not include ship...
Beech, Plywood
$12,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.5 in W 22.5 in D 16.5 in
George II Walnut Stool ( Property of Nelson A Rockefeller & John.D.Rockefeller )
Located in Huntington, NY
George II Walnut Stool (formerly the property of Nelson A Rockefeller & before that John D. Rockefeller) The stool with a shaped slip seat raise...
Walnut
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 21 in W 23 in D 21 in
Wonderful Pair Milo Baughman Style Chrome X Base Bench Stools Midcentury
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Wonderful pair of Milo Baughman chrome X base stools. We love the large scale size of these measuring 21" T x 23” W x 21" D. The tops were upholstered in white faux leather a few yea...
Chrome
Brutalist wood and Rice straw Stool - 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist wood and Rice straw Stool - 1970s Brutalist - Natural decoration - Chalet Measures : Ø seat : 33cm H:60cm
Wood
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
Sold
H 42.5 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
Set of Two (2) Substantial Campaign Bar Height Bar Stools by Maitland-Smith, 80s
Located in Deland, FL
As stylish as they are grand in stature these truly one of a kind barstools are the embodiment of Exotic Luxury. With seats made from thick-cut genuine leather, elegantly sculpted fr...
Brass
Sold
H 42.5 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
Set of Four '4' Bar Height Bar Stools Attributed to Maitland-Smith, C. 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
As stylish as they are grand in stature these truly one of a kind barstools are the embodiment of Exotic Luxury. With seats made from thick-cut genuine leather, elegantly sculpted frames made of solid brass and intricately wrapped in worn fishing ropes this extraordinary stool set could be at home on an African Safari or poolside in the Hollywood Hills. Attributed to the Maitland-Smith Furniture Company, a name that is synonymous with luxury and artisanship, these stools were built to withstand the test of time and use. Audacious in their shape and Scope these stools are ideal for designers and collectors alike searching for a character-rich accent piece that can make a BOLD statement through graceful, almost organic form. Truly the perfect amalgamation of luxury and ruggedness this unique set won't last long. Make it yours today. ---Dimensions--- Width: 18.5 in / 46.99 cm Depth: 20 in / 50.8 cm Height: 42.5 in / 107.95 cm Seat Height: 30.5 in / 77.47 cm Condition Details: This extraordinary set of barstools is in 100% original, vintage condition and has aged to perfection! The genuine leather shows only minor signs of vintage wear such as light areas of discoloration as well as minor nicks (which can be seen in the detail photos provided). The rope that twines around the frames shows only minor signs of wear such as small areas of discoloration and minor fraying (shown in detail photos provided) and the solid brass footrests show a perfect patina that only adds to rich character of these unique barstools...
Brass
Sold
H 18.88 in Dm 11.63 in
French Steel and Brass Campaign Style Folding Stands or Stools, circa 1910
Located in Kinderhook, NY
A chic pair of French circa 1910 campaign style folding tables, stands, or stools of petite scale; the steel frames with foliate rosette b...
Brass, Steel
Vintage British Colonial Style Zebra Safari Folding Stool
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury British Colonial style folding zebra hide seat fitted to three mahogany legs with brass feet.
Brass
19th Century Campaign Folding Stool
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century fruitwood folding campaign stool with a well used canvas seat. Wonderful in its simplicity and usefulness. These stools are the epitome o...
Canvas, Fruitwood
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
Bauer Int'l Stiles Brothers Adjustable Crocadile Leather Counter Bar Stool
By Stiles Brothers
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Bauer International Stiles Brothers collection campaign barstool. Made of mahogany and brass with crocodile embossed leather seat. About Sti...
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
McGuire Furniture Company Folding X-Form Campaign Stools
By John and Elinor McGuire, McGuire
Located in Rochester, NY
A matched pair of folding collapsible X-form campaign directors stools / ottomans by McGuire. Bamboo wood bases / rawhide bindings / brass fittings and ...
Brass
Pair of 20th Century Italian Iron Savonarola Benches, circa 1940s
Located in North Miami, FL
Powder-coated iron in a soft powder blue tone with brass accents throughout. The recently upholstered cushions in a super soft calfskin leather match the coloring of the benches. See...
Brass, Iron