Skip to main content

Campaign Seating

CAMPAIGN STYLE

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.

to
13
66
20
81
5
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
58
30
6
4
3
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
40,107
21,395
8,465
4,009
1,633
1,451
1,190
1,096
988
926
925
829
733
647
508
483
338
258
14
67
7
9
36
10
1
1
5
7
2
1
54
48
44
38
24
50
24
19
17
15
88
84
84
2
2
1
1
1
Style: Campaign
A Folding Safari Chair With Stitched Tan Leather Straps & Seat Faux Bamboo Legs
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Faux Bamboo & Stitched Tan Leather Folding Campaign Safari Chair With Sling Arms & Brass Mounts Havana Teak and Faux Bamboo & Brass Folding Chair in the style of Maison Jansen He...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Early Authentic Antique British Roorkhee Campaign “Safari” Arm Chair
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AUTHENTIC BRITISH ROORKHEE CAMPAIGN "SAFARI" ARM CHAIR England, ca. early 20th century 35 1/4" H x 21 7/8" D x 22 3/8" W; 15 1/8" H to seat A rare early example of the Roorkhee Ca...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Wood

Faux Bamboo, Brass & Brown Leather Folding Campaign Safari Chair
Located in Reading, Berkshire
20th century Faux Bamboo & Brown Leather Folding Campaign Safari Chair With Sling Arms & Brass Mounts Havana Teak and Faux Bamboo & Brass Folding Chai...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of Italian Neoclassical Style Steel & Brass Folding Campaign Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of steel and brass Neoclassical X base folding Campaign stools attributed to Maison Jansen.
Category

20th Century Italian Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass, Steel

Hickory Chair Company Faux Bamboo Campaign Chair and Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Hickory Chair Furniture Company campaign style walnut regency faux bamboo armchair and ottoman. Upholstered in black faux leather that has aged perfectly with minimal signs of wear...
Category

1960s American Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Zebra Ottoman / Coffee Table, Large Square, Two Zebra Hides, Custom Made In USA
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Seating

Materials

Zebra Hide

Faux Bamboo Directors Chair by Telescope Chair Company
Located in New York, NY
Stylish folding directors chair, by Telescope Furniture. This example has a turned wood faux bamboo frame, and stenciled bamboo motif canvass backrest sling...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Steamed Wood Folding Campaign Chair With Metal Hardware
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Solid, beautifully conceived folding Campaign chair with excellent attention to detail. Metal rivets and pivot hardware intact and functioning smoothly. this chair will take use as i...
Category

1890s English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Maple

Vintage Boho Ralph Lauren Woven Leather Safari Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Evoke a spirit of sophisticated adventure and timeless American style with this Vintage Ralph Lauren Woven Leather Safari Chair. Masterfully crafted, this iconic piece showcases the ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Campaign Seating

Materials

Metal, Brass

Pair of Bespoke Charlotte Horstmann Rosewood and Brass Campaign Chairs, C. 1950s
By Charlotte Horstmann
Located in Peabody, MA
A bespoke pair of campaign chairs in rosewood and brass by the renowned Hong Kong antiques dealer Charlotte Horstmann, circa 1950s.
Category

1950s Hong Kong Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Campaign / Neo- Classical Style Lilian August Camel Leather Ottomans - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of neo-classical / campaign style x- benches by Lillian August. The frames are carved mahogany with brass accents. The cushions are a quilted camel leather. It has two...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Antique Folding Campaign Bed and Convertible Side Table in Oak and Canvas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional Victorian folding campaign bed that cleverly doubles as a compact side table or console when not in use. Dating to the late 19th century, this British military piece f...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Canvas, Oak

J. Herbert McNair Colonial Campaign Chairs, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
We are delighted to offer for sale absolutely stunning early 20th century Anglo Indian Campaign Military folding armchairs in solid wood and brass with the original leatherette seat ...
Category

Early 20th Century Scottish Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Vintage-Style Pearl Leather Trunk Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style pearl leather trunk bench. A fully functional trunk that hinges open to reveal storage. The padded leather exterior makes it a great bench ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Three-Seater Sofa by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Paolo Arnaboldi, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare collaboration between Finnish designer Ilmari Tapiovaara and Italian manufacturer Paolo Arnaboldi, this 1970s three-seater sofa exemplifies the fusion of Nordic clarity with M...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Wood, Leather

Campaign Cognac Leather Officers folding chair 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice attractive 20th century Faux Bamboo & Brown Cognac color Leather Folding Campaign Safari Chair with Sling Arms & Brass Mounts. good condition .
Category

1950s English Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather

Vintage Campaign Folding Oak 4 Seater Bench. English C.1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous folding bench Original patina. Nice colour of oak I particularly like the side profile. It reminds me of the Jeanneret Chandigarh chair...
Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Seating

Materials

Oak

Pair of Leather Slung and Mixed Metal Campaign Chairs Ca. 1960s
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of saddle leather campaign chairs with brushed steel frames and bronze finials in the French style, ca. 1960s.
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Bronze, Steel

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Zebra Hide Ottoman, Chocolate & Cream, Round, Contemporary, New Hides, USA Made
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Campaign Seating

Materials

Zebra Hide

Mid-Century Faux Bamboo Campaign Style Metal Arm Chairs W/ Zebra Velvet - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a set of mid-century campaign style cast aluminum faux bamboo arm chairs with a loose zebra velvet cushion. The finish and cushion are not original. The seat height without t...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Rare Pair of Solid and Large Oak French Church Bench from the 1960s Pews
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Very long benches (340 cm) from the 1950s in solid oak. French handcrafted work.
Category

1960s French Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Oak

Costa Rican Rocking Chair
Located in Pasadena, TX
Costa Rican Rocking Chair Mid-Century Modern campaign rocking chair from the 1970s. Teak cylindrical frame with unique spindle sides and double wide armrests. Leather is embossed ...
Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather

Costa Rican Rocking Chair
Costa Rican Rocking Chair
$1,709 Sale Price
22% Off
Vintage Leather Foot Stool
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Vintage leather upholstery boasts a warm and inviting patina, adding to the stool's charm & distinct character. Kidney shape and tapered legs contribute to it's aesthetic appeal. ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

19th Century Campaign Iron with Leather Rocking Chair R.W. Winfield
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...
Category

1850s English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Iron

Pair of Faux Bamboo Folding Leather and Wood Campaign Chairs with Brass Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of faux bamboo leather and wood folding campaign chairs with brass hardware on the arm straps and brass details in the back and arm, finials. The pair are quite handsome and wo...
Category

20th Century French Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Authentic British Antique Roorkhee “Safari” Campaign Chair
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AUTHENTIC BRITISH ROORKHEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR Marked "M & S 47", in early canvas covering with leather strap arms and fore-aft belting England, circa late 19th to early 20th century 35...
Category

20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Canvas, Wood

Wrought Iron Cerule Bench With Bronze Pommels, Circa 1920s
Located in Peabody, MA
Wrought iron campaign style cerule bench with velvet seat, silk fringe accents and large bronze pommels, circa 1920s.
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

1960s Maison Jansen Steel, Bronze, Leather Campaign Chair
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Maison Jansen Steel, Bronze, Leather Campaign Chair Offered for sale is an elegant original 1960s brushed steel, bronze, and leather campaign chair designed by Otto Parzinger ...
Category

1960s European Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Pair of Brass and Steel Paw Footed Campaign Chairs, attributed to Maison Jansen
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This a beautiful pair of Maison Jansen campaign style folding chairs. The chairs are in good condition with minor signs of age and use and will show normal wear and a few bolts are m...
Category

1960s French Vintage Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Performance Velvet Metal Faux Bamboo Lounge Chairs, A Pair
Located in Round Top, TX
Elegant pair of metal-framed faux finished tubular aluminum lounge chairs made to look like bamboo, but far more structurally stable and long-lasting. Excellent condition with the exception of one bend to one frame and insignificant/unseen bends to seat cushion supports. New cushions were custom created for these vintage chair frames...
Category

Mid-20th Century Honduran Campaign Seating

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Kaare Klint Design Beech Frame Safari Chair With Black Leather Sling
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Mid Century Kaare Klint Design Beech Frame Safari Chair With Black Leather Sling Arms & Canvas Upholstery No labels or makers marks Height to seat: 33cm I Height to arms: 53cm
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Canvas, Beech

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...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Canvas, Fruitwood

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...
Category

1890s English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of 1954 John Wisner for Ficks Reed Campaign Style Rattan Lounge Chairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A patinated pair of 1954 John Wisner for Ficks reed rattan lounge chairs in Campaign Style. Come with removable white cushions. Arm res...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Wicker, Rattan

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Chrome

Costa Rican Campaign Style Teak Brown Leather Folding Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Costa Rican Campaign Style teak brown leather folding rocker rocking chair. Item features hick brown leather straps, solid teak wood folding frame, orig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Costa Rican Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Marge Carson Tetes De Lion Campaign Directors Chairs
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...
Category

20th Century Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Faux Bamboo Armchair by Schoonbeck
Located in New York, NY
Chic and sophisticated faux bamboo armchair made by noted furniture manufacturer The Schoonbeck Company, later known as Schonbeck Henredon. The chair has a solid wood frame, with uph...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Upholstery, Cane, Wood

Pair of Campaign Safari Chairs Suede and Teak Open Frame With Sling Arms
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Matching Pair of Safari Chairs by Michael D'Souza Suede & Walnut Open Frame Safari Chairs With Sling Arms In the Style of Kaare Klint By British Brand Mufti Full height 77.5cm W...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Campaign Seating

Materials

Suede, Teak

British Campaign Mahogany “Knock-Down" Antique Armchair Johnstone & Jeanes
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A RARE VICTORIAN CAMPAIGN MAHOGANY AND LEATHER METAMORPHIC ARMCHAIR England, circa 1840-60; seat stamped "JOHNSTONE & JEANES / 67 NEW BOND ST / LONDON / 6572" Item # C103901 An extraordinary metamorphic armchair by the firm of Johnstone & Jeanes of London, this quality Campaign seating piece would almost certainly have been accompanied by a carrying case to ensure its safe transit, as most of these break-down chairs were designed to be brought out when needed and safely stored thereafter. By depressing small tabs...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Brass Bound Campaign/Deck Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Remarkable 19th century brass fitted exotic hardwood folding deck/campaign chair, possibly Chinese export, having scalloped crest with fitted brass plate, the upholstered back with s...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Old Painted Wood & Riveted Metal Campaign Style Folding Chair / Stool
Located in Rochester, NY
Wood and metal campaign style folding chair in as found beautifully aged deep green and red paint w/ great old alligatored surface. Metal riveted hinges / metal riveted top rail / ca...
Category

Early 20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Seating

Materials

Chrome

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.
Category

1870s French Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Wrought Iron

Driftwood-Color Rattan and Bamboo Bench or Footstool
Located in Austin, TX
This is an unusual and terrifically versatile piece. It's made entirely of bamboo (probably European-produced bamboo) and held together with rattan roping. It's in great condition, a...
Category

Late 20th Century French Campaign Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Early 20th Century Oak Folding Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Green stained oak chair with inset caned seat and back. Stamped PECK.
Category

Early 20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Cane, Oak

Faux Bamboo Leather & Brass Folding Campaign Chair with Sling Arms Maison Jansen
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Maison Jansen Faux Bamboo Folding Campaign Chair Finished With Brass Studs & Red Leather Cushioned Seat And Brass Mounts 1950's
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Pair of French Campaign-Style Leather Folding Chairs with Faux-Bamboo Frames
Located in New York, NY
Pair of French Campaign-Style Leather Folding Chairs with Faux-Bamboo Frames.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Vintage Boho Leather Campaign Rocking Chairs - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning pair of vintage boho-style campaign rocking chairs blends rugged elegance with timeless comfort. Crafted with a sturdy wooden frame, these chairs feature rich brown lea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Bench, oak, rustic, XX eme
Located in Nice, FR
Rustic solid oak bench. Molding work on the top and crosspiece. Can be adapted to a modern or old place. Can be placed inside or outside. French work
Category

Mid-20th Century French Campaign Seating

Materials

Fruitwood, Oak

Forbes for McGuire Campaign Style Oak Officer's Chair
By McGuire, Eleanor Forbes
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare campaign style officer's chair or sling chair designed in the mid-century by Eleanor Forbes for McGuire. The chair features a cube-shaped oak frame reinforced with leather rawhi...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Victorian Folding Iron Campaign Lounge Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
The Victorian adjustable folding iron lounge chair is capable of several upright positions or in a flat position. The outdoor chair can also act as an armchair without the folding le...
Category

19th Century Canadian Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Armchairs in Walnut with original Yellow Velvet upholstery
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Pair armchairs in massive turned and carved walnut. Yellow velvet capitonnè in good condition still usable. Sanitized and wax polished. Measures cm: H 85 x W 74 x D 80.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Campaign Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

1900 s Italian Campagn Daybed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This type of furniture was typically used by military officers or travelers due to its portability and durability. The use of cowhide upholstery adds a rugged yet luxurious touch, in...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Campaign Seating

Materials

Metal

Exceptional Pair of Campaign Style Folding Chairs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome pair of Mid-Century mahogany folding chairs. The seats are soft, brown leather sling style with the backs being adjustable to four posi...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather

Pair of Vintage Folding Bamboo Chairs
Located in Pasadena, TX
Pair of Vintage Folding Bamboo Chairs Set of 2 vintage colonial campaign folding chairs, featuring bamboo frames shell with slatted bamboo seats and caned backs. Dims: 18" x 20" x...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Campaign Seating

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

Superb Original Vintage Chelsea Bordeaux Handmade Brown Leather Armchair
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superb, original handmade Chelsea Bordeaux vintage brown leather armchair in excellent condition. This is a fine example of quality British craftsma...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Leather

Unique Vintage Telephone Campaign Style Bench
Located in Crawley, GB
Unique Vintage Telephone Campaign Style Bench. It’s military campaign style with brass corner fittings & sunken military brass handles. I would date ...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Campaign Seating

Materials

Brass

Campaign seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Harrods, Herbert MacNair, and Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,749 and tops out at $8,315 while the average work can sell for $2,701.

Recently Viewed

View All