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Campaign Blanket Chests

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.

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Style: Campaign
British Campaign Camphor Wood Sea Chest, Trunk or Coffee Table, Early 1900's
Located in Nantucket, MA
An early 1900's British Campaign sea chest in a rare camphor wood. Brass hasp added and polished brass strap corners typical of the genre. Used to transport silks and fabrics back ...
Category

Early 20th Century Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood

Sarried Brass Trunk
Located in Winnetka, IL
This is a two drawer brass chest with copper nailheads on bun wood feet in good vintage condition. The brass could use some brasso cream but would lighten the brass
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Small 19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Delightful Mid 19th Century Camphor Wood Military Campaign Trunk, Of Rare Small Proportions, Having Well Figured Lift Up Lid Enclosing Storage Space, Original Brass Bound Decoration And Original Brass Handles. Its widely accepted that trunks like this were normally purposed for army use, often given into the ownership of high ranking officers to use for their travels around the various battlegrounds and territories of the empire around the world, hence the carrying handles and the brass banded decoration, which also serves the functional purpose of protecting the item from bumps and bashes during the numerous times it would have been transported. In modern day living this trunk would make a perfect coffee table boasting signifcant storage, or could also be used as a storage chest in many locations around the home including the hallway, living room or bedroom. The trunk is also a little smaller than a large amount which yuou will find on the market, which of course allows for it to be used in an even wider variety of spaces. The trunk has also been inspected in our workshops by our expert antique...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Other

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 Blanket Chests

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of Vintage Meek's Leather Campaign Luggage Trunks Side Tables Nightstands
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Pair of vintage Meek's leather campaign luggage trunks. These storage tables are black in color, standing at a height of 22.5 inches, these could be used as side tables or nightstand...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Metal

Campaign Chest In Camphor Camphor Wood
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb large navy chest oe campaign chest from the beginning of the 20th century in camphor wood English navy chest with its typical fittings of this styl...
Category

Early 20th Century British Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Fruitwood

English Campaign Leather Trunk
Located in Nashville, TN
This gorgeous leather trunk makes for a versatile piece...consider it for a side table or storage piece. This is reproduction chest with vintage leather finish and bespoke handmade c...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Leather

British Military Campaign Brass-Bound Cabinet or Low Table with Leather Top
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome British military officer’s Campaign Ware cabinet or low table from the early 20th century, featuring a rectangular brass-bound patinated teak exterior, with embossed leath...
Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass, Metal

An English 19th Century Mahogany Campaign Trunk/Chest with Brass Detailing
Located in San Francisco, CA
the rectangular hinged lid fitted with a flush-mounted handle over a conforming body flanked by solid brass bail handles; all resting on a later detached stand; adorned overall with ...
Category

1860s English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Camphor Wood Marine / Campaign Chest
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant large 19th century marine or campaign chest in solid camphor with two locks Camphor of very good quality with a very beautiful flame or all the faces are composed of a single...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Wood

English Leather Bound Campaign Trunk, c. 1820-1830
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic British leather-bound Campaign Trunk that was created in China at the beginning of the 19th century. The trunk is constructed of camphor wood; leather bound and det...
Category

Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Antique English Campaign Brown Painted Wooden Military Blanket Chest Trunk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique English Campaign Brown Painted Wooden Military Blanket Chest Trunk. Item features cast iron hardware, tin metal lined interior, solid wood construction, brown painted distres...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Metal

1972 Pennsylvania House Solid Cherry Campaign Style Coffee with Storage Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A very well kept 1972 Pennsylvania House campaign style coffee table with Storage Chest in Solid Cherry throughout and panelized sides. Excellent condition with virtually no scratches. Dovetail joints and both brass handles and brass fittings in place. Storage with removable and sliding deep tray...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

19th C. English Brass Bound Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk
Located in Nantucket, MA
Lovely 19th century Campaign Trunk, camphor wood construction with nice, mellow patina, bound in brass, with brass lock escutcheon embossed...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Leather Clad Camphor Trunk With Nail Head Trim, on Stand
Located in Peabody, MA
Leather bound camphor wood trunk on mahogany stand with cabriole legs, as found; chest featuring nailhead trim and brass binding. Working key included. Trunk measures 31 3/8" wide, ...
Category

Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

19th century blanket chest
Located in TARBES, FR
magnificent patina for this chest, all the ironwork was made by hand, the top of the chest shows significant traces of wear and tear, see photos in Europe, until the end of the Renaissance, the chest (or ark) was an essential and versatile piece of furniture, serving both as a cupboard (laundry chest...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Oak

19th century blanket chest
19th century blanket chest
$712 Sale Price
75% Off
Late 19th Century China Trade Sea Captain's Chest
Located in Charleston, SC
Late 19th century China Trade Sea Captain's chest, circa 1880. Aluminum banding and steel handles with double locks (one missing). The trunk lid interior is ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Vintage Boho Leather Wrapped Campaign Trunk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Evoke a sense of timeless adventure and sophisticated heritage with this handsome vintage campaign trunk. Meticulously wrapped in rich, cognac-hued leather, this piece is beautifully...
Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

18th Century Antique Travel Chest
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
18th century antique travel chest. Solid wood with tin cladding. Baroque lock fully functional with original key.
Category

18th Century Austrian Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Tin

French Elm CannonBall Box with Iron Hasps and Carrying Hoops
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Elm CannonBall Box with Iron Hasps and Carrying Hoops A wonderful and very heavy piece, made in solid elm with blacksmith made iron banding, hasp locks and carrying pole hold...
Category

19th Century Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Elm

Antique British Campaign Trunk / Chest, Camphor Wood, Curved Top, Brass Hardware
Located in Madrid, ES
A late 19th century arched top camphor wood British military campaign chest, with original brass hardware. Solid, in near excellent condition, ready for daily use. Built of durable m...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

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21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Campaign Blanket Chests

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Pair of Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Side End Table Drawers Green Leather
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Pair of Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Side End Table Drawers Green Leather
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White Lacquered Trunk with Brass Hardware, Vintage Storage Chest
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Pine Trunk or Blanket chest
Located in Baltimore, MD
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Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

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Antique Syrian Mother of Pearl Inlay Wedding Trunk
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1890s Syrian Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

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1920s Camphor Wood Blanket Chest with Brass Hardware and Natural Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
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Early 20th Century Chinese Campaign Blanket Chests

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Antique Oak Wood & Brass Mounted Syrian Coffer Blanket Chest Trunk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Oak (possibly walnut) Wood & Brass Mounted Syrian Coffer Blanket Chest Trunk. Item features solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, copper and brass decorative mounts,...
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Early 1900s Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

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Antique American Green Painted Wood Steamer Trunk or Blanket Chest, 19th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
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Early 1900s American Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

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Coracle Bench with Storage, Blackened White Oak and Leather
Located in HAMILTON, ON
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21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

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Lane Cedar Lined Cherry Upholstered Storage Bench Blanket Chest
Located in Germantown, MD
A Lane Altavista Cedar Lined Cherry upholstered seat storage bench or blanket chest in good vintage condition. Panelized front with two faux drawers mounte...
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Mid-20th Century American Campaign Blanket Chests

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Anglo Indian British Colonial Style Sheesham Blanket Trunk Chest Coffee Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century British Colonial style Sheesham wood blanket storage chest or coffee table. Features a beautiful two tone finish with iron hardware. Dimensions: 16" x 24" x 16"h
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Late 20th Century Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Hardwood

Previously Available Items
19th Century British Officer's Camphor Wood Brass Campaign Trunk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Large late 19th century British officers campaign trunk or chest crafted from camphor wood. The gorgeous chest features patinated brass clad banding, large handles, brass mounts, hin...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

19th Century Brass Bound Wood Campaign Trunk
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
19th Century Brass Bound Campaign Trunk / Chest. Beautiful desirable patina.
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass, Iron

Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk/Chest with Brass Fittings & Carrying Handles 1880
Located in Sherborne, GB
Large late 19th century, well figured camphor chest of rich colour, with brass bindings, carrying handles to each side. This chest would make an excellent coffee table, doubling up a...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass, Other

Vintage Campaign Style Brass Banded Camphor Trunk Blanket Storage Chest 28"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century campaign style camphor chest. Features a rectangular frame with brass banded hand hardware and traditional campaign / anglo indian recessed pulls along the front. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

Original European Green Painted Metal Zinc Military Army Campaign Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1900 green painted European Military Campaign chest or trunk Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers ...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Steel, Zinc

19th Century Military Campaign Trunk
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A very good quality 19th century camphor wood military Campaign trunk, Of Good Bold Proportions, Having Lift Up Lid, attractive original brass ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Other

19th Century Military Campaign Trunk
19th Century Military Campaign Trunk
H 21.5 in W 41 in D 22 in
19th Century Teak Marine / Campaign Chest
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb large 19th century navy chest or campaign chest in solid teak Very good quality medium-sized chest with a very beautiful flame which rests on skates English navy...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Teak

19th Century Teak Marine / Campaign Chest
19th Century Teak Marine / Campaign Chest
H 20.48 in W 35.44 in D 18.12 in
Campaign / Marine Chest from the Port of Hull from the 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century campaign chest in mahogany and fruit wood with Palmer Hull inscriptions. Probably a boat called Palmer located in the port of Hull Chest of the English navy with ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Camphor Campaign Chest
Located in High Point, NC
19th century British military campaign chest made from camphor wood. It retains the original brass hardware. These wooden chests were originally made to carry the belongings of milit...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass

19th Century Camphor Campaign Chest
19th Century Camphor Campaign Chest
H 16 in W 29.63 in D 15 in
Anglo-English Leather and Camphor Wood Trunk
Located in Hudson, NY
The Anglo-English leather and camphor wood trunk, shown here, is from the 19th century. Featuring the original brass corner guards and carrying handles, t...
Category

19th Century North American Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Leather, Wood

Large Teak British Campaign Blanket Chest Trunk
Located in Nantucket, MA
A handsome British Campaign teak blanket chest or trunk which could also be used as a coffee table. Brass straps on corners, bun feet and iron latches an...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Teak

Early 19th C. Antique Brass Tacked Seaman's Chest
Located in Morristown, NJ
Early 19th c., seaman's chest The front, back and sides are in black painted canvas on wood. The top is leather. The hinges and handles and are iron. Remnants of a papered interior remain. A lock with a brass escutcheon (key not retained) and brass tacked...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Campaign Blanket Chests

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Campaign blanket chests for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign blanket chests 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 blanket chests created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign blanket chests made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 blanket chests differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $925 and tops out at $2,267 while the average work can sell for $1,826.

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