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.
$18,500 / set
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 ...
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
Maison Jansen Neoclassical Campaign Chair and Ottoman
By Otto Parzinger
Located in Montreal, QC
Designed b Otto Parzinger for Maison Jansen, this brushed steel campaign chair pays homage to the ancient world. It is designed like a folding deck chair with a matching stool, both ...
Steel, Brass
Campaign Style Leather Carved Bobbin X-Frame Director Chairs Att. Marge Carson
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of campaign style leather carved walnut bobbin x-frame director’s chairs attributed to Marge Carson. They have black leather backs and seats. The seats have a paisley ...
Leather, Upholstery, Walnut
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Stunning Set Of Six Military Campaign Style Side Chairs
Located in Crawley, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this handsome handmade Reprodux Bevan Funnell Military Campaign style folding chairs crafted in England. Made from solid mahogany with brass fittin...
Brass
Mid Century Kaare Klint Design Beech Frame Safari Chair With Black Leather Sling
By Kaare Klint
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
Canvas, Beech
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...
Iron
$1,496Sale Price / set|25% Off
Modern Campaign Dining Chairs Light Wood & Cane by American of Martinsville
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning set of 4 modern campaign style dining chairs 2 Arm and 2 side chairs comprised of beautiful light hardwood, radio weave cane seat backs, and fabric covered seats. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The caning has been replaced in one chair back. Seat fabric has been professionally cleaned but most will want to reupholster, and they have been priced accordingly. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. “Well excuse me, but I think you’ve got my chair….” Oh wait…that’s a George Straight song!! Well, actually, we DO have just the chairs for you!!! This is a wonderful set of American of Martinsville campaign style dining chairs. We have 4 to offer you 2 side and 2 armchairs comprised of gorgeous light hardwood frames, and fabulous radio weave cane tall, slender seat backs. There is a lovely brass colored trim accent on the back of the chairs framing the cane and right now the seat cushions wear a beige or taupe basket weave pattern fabric, but we’ve priced them so you can reupholster with a fabric of your choice. This is a GORGEOUS dining chair set and will look amazing under your modern, Hollywood Regency, or campaign style dining table...
Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century English Oak Campaign Daybed
Located in Apeldoorn, NL
A beautiful late 19th-century English Campaign daybed, crafted from solid oak and retaining its original handwoven cane webbing. This elegant piece combines timeless English craftsma...
Wood
Eæ Slip Chair in White Oak and Charcoal Horween Leather by Erickson Aesthetics
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designer Ben Erickson modeled his Slip chair after an antique African birthing chair from his personal furniture collection. “I found it at the ...
Cord, Leather, Oak
Richard Wrightman "Chatwin" Counter Chairs in White Oak and Leather
By Richard Wrightman
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A set of three barely-used Chatwin counter chairs by Richard Wrightman, all with original tags. The frames are constructed from solid white oak, adorned with textured dark chocolate leather for the seats and backs. The seatbacks have a tilt mechanism, similar to Arne Vodder’s “Ella” chair...
Leather, Oak
Chaise haute en chêne massif et paillage Francais
Located in London, England
Cette chaise en chêne massif se distingue par son paillage français, qui est d'une grande beauté malgré quelques rayures visibles sur le bois. Avec une hauteur d'assise impressionnan...
Straw, Wood, Oak
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.
Velvet, Walnut
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...
Bamboo, Rattan
$1,496Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Modern Director’s Chair Folding Black Brown White Geometric Needlepoint
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
Antique English Colonial Mahogany Cube Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique English Colonial Mahogany Cube Chair The seat is button tufted, adding a touch of sophistication and plush comfort. The warm, rich tones of the mahogany contrast elegantly w...
Fabric, Wood
Victorian Brass Side Chairs, Campaign Style, Horseshoe Design, 1880
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
34/200 STEWART LINFORD ADMIRAL NELSON H.M.S VICTORY HAND CARVED BURL OAK CHAiR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime, Limited Edition 34/200 Stewart Linford Admiral Nelson side chair made from Oak and Copper from...
Copper
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...
Brass
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
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
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