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.
$2,996Sale Price|25% Off
Mid 20th Century Modern Campaign Henredon Black Entertainment Cabinet or Armoire
By Henredon
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Modern Campaign or Hollywood Regency black lacquered entertainment cabinet or armoire with recessed base, brass hardware, & it has an original slightly distressed fi...
Brass
Vintage Drexel Accolade Campaign Cabinet
By Drexel
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Vintage Campaign style cabinet from the accolade line by Drexel. Item features beautiful wood grain, brass accents, 1 drawer and 1 double door storage cabinet, solid brass hardware, ...
Brass
$1,400Sale Price|60% Off
Antique Korean Tansu Butterfly Cabinet or Chest Elm Wood with Brass Inlay
Located in Plainview, NY
A stunning late 19th century Campaign Korean tansu cabinet or chest. The Korean chest features 4 small drawers on top of a two door cabinet offeri...
Brass
English Grand Library Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Large and luxurious 19th century English cabinet, wall unit crafted in mahogany with an architecturally significant design, featuring cornices, paneled doors, campaign brass hardware...
Mahogany
$1,750 / item
Henredon Scene One Campaign Display Cabinet
By Henredon
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Timeless design in this Henredon Scene One Campaign display cabinet. Classic streamline lines with inset brass hardware. 2 door lower cabin...
Brass
$3,746Sale Price|25% Off
Campaign or Chinoiserie Style Lighted China Hutch by Bernhardt Dark Oak & Brass
By Bernhardt
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Campaign or Chinoiserie style lighted China Hutch by Bernhardt composed of a dark oak frame, double doors w/glass insets & plate grooves & brass escutcheons ...
Brass
Vintage Henredon Scene One 1 Tall Cabinets in Campaign Style a Pair, Attributed
Large British Military Officer's Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Camphor
Located in Austin, TX
A large handsome rectangular British military officer's Campaign trunk of camphorwood featuring hand-cut brass binding and hardware, with interior compartments, and resting on bracke...
Metal, Brass
British Military Officer's Campaign Trunk or Stationery Box of Brass-Bound Teak
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome rectangular British military officer's Campaign trunk or stationery box of teak featuring hand-cut brass binding and hardware, with flush opposing handles, and inlaid bras...
Metal, Brass
Houghton & Sons Oak Campaign Chest, Major-General Prendergast, 1888
Located in Lincoln, GB
Houghton & Sons Oak Campaign Stationery & Dispatch Chest By Houghton & Sons, 162 New Bond Street, London Formerly the property of Major-General Maunsell Mark Prendergast,...
Oak
$7,996Sale Price / set|20% Off
Henredon Display Cabinets Etageres Vitrines Scene One Campaign, Set of 4
By Henredon
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 4 1980's Henredon scene One campaign style Curio Display Cabinets Etageres...
Brass
British Military Officer's Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Camphor
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome rectangular British military officer's Campaign trunk of camphorwood featuring hand-cut brass binding and hardware, with opposing handles, and wax seals or stamps from por...
Metal, Brass
$1,496Sale Price|54% Off
English Military Campaign Style Chest of Drawers Exotic Wood Early 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Commode or chest of drawers in the English military campaign style. 19th century Good condition age with minor marks of use.
Brass
$2,625Sale Price / set|65% Off
5 Piece 1960s Yellow Colormates Campaign Set by Morris of California
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Rare yellow campaign set from Morris of California. 3 chest of drawers and 2 bookcase toppers. Tall six drawer lingerie chest, or highboy. One six draw...
Formica, Wood
Campaign Style Lacquered Tall Fitted Cabinets by Henredon, Pair
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Campaign style chifforobes or cabinets, made by esteemed American manufacturer, Henredon. Part of Henredon’s early Scene One collection. Each cabinet professionally lacquered...
Brass
$2,200Sale Price|43% Off
Korean Campaign Style Secrétaire Cabinet Chest with Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Impressive Asian campaign style cabinet featuring two large front doors that open to reveal a drop down writing desk and fitted with numerous storage drawers. Adorned with opulent brass hardware, hinges, and pulls. Rare Tansu...
Brass
DREXEL HERITAGE 3 PIECE MILITARY CAMPAIGN BOOKCASE DISPLAY TV CABINET INC LIGHTs
By Drexel
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage suite of Drexel Heritage Furniture mid century modern Military Campaign style display cases with a large central section and spotlights Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price A good looking and well made suite, they are super elegant and very stylish, crafted in the Military Campaign style which never goes out of fashion, I have a pair of small matching sideboards listed under my other items with match the central bottom section of this suite This is a modular suite so you can remove the central section top which is simply screwed in, the base unit slides out, you then have two matching display cabinets...
Brass
VINTAGE TRIPLE SPOT LiGHT MILITARY CAMPAIGN DREXEL HERITAGE CABINET BOOKCASE
By Drexel
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Drexel Heritage Military Campaign style China Cabinet or display case with top lights an...
Glass, Walnut, Pine
$1,871Sale Price|25% Off
Modern Campaign Style Oak Gentlemen’s Chest by Founders Furniture Patterns 35
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage modern Campaign style oak Gentleman’s chest by Founders Furniture Patterns 35. Comprised of book matched oak veneer, six drawers and two double doors with brass toned hardware, and brass plated beading detail. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Specifically, it was missing a handle & we had a custom duplicate replacement produced. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970-1980’s. Just what the Gentleman ordered!!! Although, it is suitable for a lady as well!! This Founders Furniture tall Gentleman’s chest is comprised of gorgeous book matched oak veneer and features six full width drawers and two double opening doors, one drawer above the doors and five below. Each drawer is fitted with unique campaign style brass-toned inset handles with brass plated beading around each drawer opening. And the doors have a picture framed border with mitered corners and are inlaid with brass plated beading. It’s a lovely detail! This modern beauty has ample storage for linens...
Brass
Japanese Campaign Style Miniature Chest Ca' 1960's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A lovely Japanese, vintage ca' 1960's miniature chest. Drawers lined in felt, brass hardware, campaign style exposed brackets.
Elm
$3,145 / item
Campaign Style Cabinet, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “drift” white painted finish with subtle grey di...
Wood
$2,280Sale Price|20% Off
Fine Quality Solid Mahogany Brass Bound Campaign Style Wine Cellarette
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This fine quality solid mahogany brass bound campaign style wine cellarette is a striking example of timeless craftsmanship combined with practical elegance. Constructed from richly ...
Brass
Fine Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Hardwood Bookcases Inc Chest of Drawers
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Harrods London REH Kennedy mahogany and brass Military Campaign bookcases on chest of drawer’s...
Brass
Chinese Export Campaign Camphorwood Cabinet
Located in Essex, MA
An unusual cabinet commissioned in China by a British officer. In two parts for transporting. Of diminutive scale with a removable carved cornice seated on a cabinet with two paneled...
Mahogany, Padouk
$796Sale Price|33% Off
Henredon Vera Cruz Vitrine Display Case Buffet Cabinet
By Henredon
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions of A Henredon Vera Cruz...
Glass, Wood
Hendredon Military Campaign Media Cupboard Television Stand Spotlights and Power
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Henredon military campaign media cabinet with power and spot lights This is a very substantial and well made cabinet, exceptionally heavy, made in the Military Campaign style with flat folding handles and brass hard wear. This has been fully restored to include all new plugs, cables and fittings, the only part of the electrics that’s original is the actual lights as they were the right size, absolutely everything else is brand new The internal top shelf is very thick toughened glass, the idea being the light can trickle all the way through. The TV Stand...
Oak
Rare Large circa 1900 Military Campaign Chest Trunk Zinc Lined for Champagne Etc
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very large full sized Military Campaign zinc lined chest or trunk with original locks and key designed as a wine / champaign cooler...
Zinc
Military Campaign Small Chest of Drawers with Hidden Radio Tape Record Player
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage circa 1970’s Military campaign small chest of drawers with hidden record player inside. What a cool thing. On the outside yo...
Brass
Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Television Stand Drawers TV
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime condition Kennedy Military Campaign TV media stand with large single drawer retailed through Harrods Lon...
Hardwood
Pair of Campaign Style Two Door Woven Wicker Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of vintage Bielecky Brothers stands hand crafted in woven reed in a campaign style with brass hardware, two doors in front, and plenty of storage.
Reed
$599 / item
Yellow and White Campaign Nightstand
By Campaigner
Located in Redding, CT
Yellow and White Campaign Nightstand. Classic two drawer stand. Perfect for a kids room.
Brass
Chest on Chest Two Part Asian Campaign Style Two Doors Cabinet Dresser Storage
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Chest on Chest Two Part Asian Campaign Style Two Doors Cabinet Dresser Storage
Brass
Small Buffet by Franz Xaver Sproll, Switzerland, circa 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Rare small buffet with two doors in solid pine, without any addition of metal parts, except the lock. Handmade by Franz Xaver Sproll and stamped on...
Wood
$1,046Sale Price|30% Off
Campaign Style Mahogany and Brass Mounted Side Cabinet
Located in Germantown, MD
Campaign Style Brass Mounted Mahogany Side Cabinet in great vintage condition. Measures 22" in width, 22" in depth and stands 28.25" in height. Door Storage slot are 4.5" in depth an...
Brass
Mid 19th Century Anglo-Indian Carved Two-Part Campaign Chest
Located in Charlottesville, VA
A highly unusual Anglo-Indian carved ebony campaign chest in three sections, circa 1850. The upper cabinet features deeply carved foliate and vine motifs framing a pair of arched gla...
Wood, Paint
Hardwood Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Hidden Inside a Side Table Must See!
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning circa 1920 Mahogany, Military Campaign side table sides drawers unit which houses a drinks cabinet A very good looking well made a...
Brass
Burr Yew & Elm Wood Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Hidden Inside a Side Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Burr Yew & Elm Military Campaign side table sides drawers unit which houses a drinks cabinet A very good looking well made and dec...
Brass
$3,150Sale Price|30% Off
19th Century Anglo-Indian Brass Mount Campaign Style Cellarette on Stand
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful hardwoods and cast brass fittings. Holds 12 bottles. Top is removable from base. Recently refinished. Measures 18" in width, 14" in depth, stands 31" tall. Bottle slots are...
Brass
Vintage Burr Yew Wood Bedside / Side End Table Drawers with Butlers Serving Tray
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage Burr Yew wood Bachelors chest with butlers serving tray. A truly stunning and well made piece, this is a bachelor chest whi...
Yew