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Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Campaign
George III Mahogany Campaign Chest in Two Parts & Rare Small Size on Turned Feet
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th century English five drawer mahogany campaign chest of unusual small size. Made in two sections and on turned feet, the top section with two short drawers over one long dr...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique English Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome antique British Colonial campaign chest crafted in mahogany in a two piece construction featuring a pullout desk with drawers and niches over four drawers with brass hardwar...
Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign Style Six Drawer Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign style six drawer chest or filing cabinet. Fits A4 and letter hanging folders. With brass hardware, drawers on runners and raised on bun fee...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

1980's Campaign Style Bachelor Chest of Drawers
Located in Southampton, NJ
Campaign style Bachelors chest with four cock beaded dovetailed drawers boasting fiery Mahogany grains. A well designed mid size chest of drawers with generous storage. Matching piec...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Campaign Style Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid Century Campaign Style Chest. Two part construction with brass hardware. Wood appears to be Hickory. Chest is raised on turned legs with side handles.
Category

Mid-20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hickory

19th C English Brass Bound Campaign Style Chest on Chest
Located in New York, NY
Classic two section Campaign style chest on chest, constructed of solid wood, with brass bound corners, pulls, and eschews, and heavy iron handles. The chest features an upper secti...
Category

Late 19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Iron

Burl Wood Campaign Tall Chest With Brass Butterfly Details
Located in Locust Valley, NY
A vintage burl wood campaign style tall chest with brass butterfly design details. The chest of drawers has two doors at top that open to small drawers inside. Below the doors are ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Burl

19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Chest
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
British Military Officers Mahogany 2 part Campaign Chest with brass mounting. These chests were commissioned by officers of the British Army during their various campaigns around the...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Vintage Parisian Leather Clad Luggage Trunk Chest of Drawers
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage Parisian Leather Clad Campaign Luggage Trunk Chest of Drawers
Category

1990s French Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather

Anglo Chinese Antique Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and remarkable 19th century Anglo Chinese chest with eight drawers handcrafted in teak in two piece construction, having a pullout desk with leather...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Camphor Wood Two Part Campaign Chest
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique Camphor Wood two part Campaign Chest, circa 1890. With a rectangular top, two upper drawers and 3 lower drawers, all with original brass campaign hardware. Hand dove tailed d...
Category

1890s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Chest with Desk
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Transporting antique campaign chest crafted in mahogany with dramatic wood grains, brass inlays and hardware, and featuring a foldout writing desk hav...
Category

Early 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

French Turn of the Century Wood Navy Chest with Brass Hardware
Located in Dallas, TX
A small French natural wood navy chest from the early 20th century, with brass hardware. Created in France during the early years of the 20th century, this small navy chest, inspired...
Category

20th Century French Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Bissitt & Brunton LTD Campaign Chest with Two Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small English 19th century Campaign chest by Bissitt & Brunton LTD, with two drawers, brass hardware and bracket feet. This charming small English 19th-century Campaign chest, craf...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Baker Fruitwood Campaign Style Chests
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of chests or commodes crafted in fruitwood in a sleek modern form with hints of tradition having brass campaign style hardware and classic turned feet. Signed Baker i...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Fruitwood

English 1840s Mahogany Campaign Chest with Five Drawers and Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English mahogany campaign chest from the mid 19th century, with five drawers and brass hardware. Created in England during the second quarter of the 19th century, this mahogany ca...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Scottish or English Campaign Butler's Desk Chest of Drawers
Located in Centennial, CO
An elegant and functional antique Scottish or English campaign style butler's desk chest of drawer. Crafted out of teak or sycamore (exterior) and elm (interior) with original brass ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

HENREDON Asian Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Modular Stackable Chests - Pair A
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of modular stackable two-drawer chests in the Japanese Tansu Campaign style by Henredon. Mahogany with smooth surface top, low height, brass accents, drawer handles & side han...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

HENREDON Asian Japanese Tansu Campaign Style Modular Stackable Chests - Pair B
Located in Charlotte, NC
A pair of modular stackable two-drawer chests in the Japanese Tansu Campaign style by Henredon. Mahogany with smooth surface top, low height, brass accents, drawer handles & side han...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique British Colonial Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome British Colonial chest crafted in mahogany with six drawers in a low profile with brass campaign hardware and bracket feet.
Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Style Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing antique campaign style chest crafted in mahogany with well placed dramatic grains, brass inlays and hardware, keys for all drawers and turn...
Category

Early 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

British Military Officer's Campaign Chest or Dresser of Brass-Bound Mahogany
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome British military officer’s Campaign Ware chest of drawers or dresser, from the 19th century, featuring a patinated mahogany exterior with two short drawers over three long...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal, Brass

Campaign Style Walnut 2-Drawer Chest of Drawers In The Manner Of Henredon
Located in Southampton, NJ
Handsome 2-drawer Campaign Style chest having solid walnut construction with brass pulls, side handles and corner accents. Incredible craftsmanship throughout with great detail and s...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Burl Wood Bombe Chest of Drawers, Italy 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1960s Italian bombe chest of drawers with a gorgeously grained burl wood veneer. This piece has three drawers with curved metal leaf m...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Metal

Pull Out Tray 4 Drawers Flame Mahogany Brass Pull Compact Bachelor Chest Dresser
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pull Out Tray 4 Drawers Flame Mahogany Brass Pull Compact Bachelor Chest Dresser MINT!
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Italian Patchwork Burl Campaign Style Chest / Commode / Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is an Italian patchwork burl petite chest or commode or even a side table with campaign styling. The piece is a rich patchwork burl, a particular favorite of mine. It is in very...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair Asian Modern Style Walnut Campaign Chests Henredon, 1970's
Located in Rochester, NY
A pair of Asian style two drawer figured walnut campaign bachelor chests by Henredon Fine Furniture with decorative brass hardware at fronts and recessed brass swing handles at sides...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Rare 19th Century French Campaign Chest on Legs
Located in Houston, TX
The Rare 19th Century French Campaign Chest on Legs is a remarkable piece of furniture that embodies both functionality and elegance. Crafted dur...
Category

19th Century French Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Kingwood Military Campaign Chest with Secretary, Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
English Chippendale Kingwood Military Campaign graduated chest with an upper drawer fitted with a hinged fall front secretary revealing a central prospect door with a secret interior drawer, flanking pigeon holes with eight interior drawers, top edge carved with an egg & dart border, three graduated lower case drawers, original recessed brasses and escutcheons, and resting on a carved egg & dart rope skirt with the original bun feet. Late 18th Century Campaign...
Category

1780s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Campaign Tall Chest: Ebonized Mahogany with Brass Accents
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dive into the captivating blend of historical elegance and modern sophistication with our Mid-Century Campaign Tall Chest of Drawers. Crafted from the finest mahogany wood, this exqu...
Category

1940s Canadian Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Campaign Chest With Integrated Writing Desk
Located in Bradenton, FL
Spectacular English Campaign Chest - ship captain's desk / chest in two parts. The top central drawer contains a drop-front desk surface with multiple small drawers and secret compar...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Campaign Style Ebonized Mahogany Brass Inlay Two Drawers Small Dresser Chest
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Campaign Style Ebonized Mahogany Brass Inlay Two Drawers Small Dresser Chest Mint!
Category

20th Century Unknown Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest with Recessed Brasses, C. 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
English camphor wood five-drawer military campaign chest with the original recessed brasses, key hole escutcheons, brass corner mounts, and terminating on the original bracket feet, ...
Category

1820s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign English Chest of Drawers
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome 19th century British colonial campaign chest hand crafted in mahogany with classic two piece construction, five drawers, brass hardware, and turned feet.
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Mahogany Campaign Chest of Drawers.
Located in Burton, TX
This 19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Chest of Drawers is made of two parts each flanked with side handles to allow for easier transport. The corners of the piece are covered i...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Baker Low Campaign Chest
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic vintage campaign style chest crafted in walnut with three drawers in a hip low form with brass hardware and turned feet. Signed in a drawer with a Baker s...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

English 19th Century Campaign Chest with Drop Front Desk and Four Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign chest from the 19th century, with drop front desk, four drawers and brass hardware. Add a touch of antique charm to your home with this English Campaign two-part ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Victorian Figured Walnut Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
In two parts with brass carrying handles likely later. Rectangular with two small drawers over a deep long drawer and two ling drawers. Raised on toupie feet. Drawer fronts are venee...
Category

1850s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Teak Two Piece Campaign Chest
Located in Bradenton, FL
19th century teak two piece Campaign chest, brass bound edges, ebony string inlay on drawer fronts, two short drawers one with desk interior, over three...
Category

19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Teak

Trapezoidal Lingerie Chest
Located in Hanover, MA
One stylish pyramid form chest of drawers made of ebonized oak and embellished with hammered silver metal accents. 15.5 inches wide at the top descending to 23 inches wide at the bo...
Category

1990s American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Anglo Indian Teakwood Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
In two sections with a rectangular top over two long drawers over two long drawers. All with recessed brass handles. Iron side carrying handles. Ball feet.
Category

Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout pair of mid century three drawer stands or chests having a faux ostrich finish, brass campaign style hardware and block feet. Signed Trouvailles in a drawer.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of Mahogany Military Campaign Chests on Stands or Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of modern military campaign chests mounted on custom stands, circa 1970s. Incredible style, craftsmanship and attention to detai...
Category

1970s Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Antique Pair of English Campaign Chests
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of English antique five drawer campaign chests crafted in mahogany in a two piece construction with brass hardware and turned feet. Signed Shapland & Petter one of Englands oldest furniture...
Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern White Campaign Dresser / Chest of Drawers, America, Brass
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern white Campaign Dresser / chest of drawers, America, brass. A fine example of campaign furniture done over in a white lacquer...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign Secretary Chest (Desk), Mid-19th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderful mid-19th century English Campaign Secretaire Chest. The chest is in overall very good condition and appears to retain its original surface (perhaps old refinish),...
Category

1860s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Sarreid Mirror Polished Stainless & Brass Two-Drawer Low Chest
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1960s mirror polished stainless steel clad Campaign chest of two drawers with solid brass pulls by Sarreid of Spain. Finished on the back...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Late 20th Century Vintage Regency Petite Patchwork Chest of Drawers
Located in west palm beach, FL
A gorgeous vintage Petite Campaign chest of drawers. A chic little cabinet with a beautiful patchwork design. Classic campaign brass hardware. Finished on all sides so sits beautiful...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Chests
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century English Campaign chests. The chests are mahogany, has ball feet with brass hardware and trim. Comes in two parts (top and bottom). The top has three drawers, and...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Sarreid Two-Drawer Low Chest in Mirror Polished Stainless and Brass
Located in Hanover, MA
Sarreid of Spain geometric two-drawer footed low chest clad in mirror polished stainless steel and trimmed in brass with solid brass greek key style pulls and side handles. Vintage 1...
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Chinese Export Mahogany and Brass Inlaid Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
Unusually large with a rectangular top with brass edge which continues throughout the whole case. Two drawers over three long drawers all with brass inlay and recessed handles, origi...
Category

1850s Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Teak Campaign Chest with Five Drawers and Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English teak wood two-part campaign chest from the 19th century, with five drawers, inset brass hardware and turnip feet. Created in England during the 19th century, this teak (a ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign Style Maple 3-Drawer Chest / Filing Cabinet, Circa 1950s
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful vintage Campaign style maple 3-drawer chest of drawer or filing cabinet, Circa. Beautiful vintage condition. Original hardware. Measures 16" W x 17.5" D x 36.5" H W5031922.
Category

Mid-20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

National Mt Airy Campaign Large Chest of Drawers
Located in Germantown, MD
Splendid National Mt Airy campaign chest of drawers. Featuring 5 large drawers, all dovetailed and sliding as intended by the manufacturer. Very good...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Campaign Form Dresser
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Campaign style dresser with antique brown leather-wrapped sides. With four drawers and a slide, brass handles, and nailhead details all around the frame. Dimensions 40" W x 20...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Leather, Wood

Custom Mahogany Campaign Style Dresser with Brass Hardware, Circa, 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
English yew wood and mahogany custom made dresser of nine drawers, six with exterior pulls and three behind the right side cabinet door. The top ed...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Brass Bound Campaign Style Chest or Coffee Table With Napoleonic Bee Parchment
Located in Peabody, MA
Campaign style brass bound chest on stand, clad in “Napoleonic Bee” parchment, with single drawer and leather handles, circa 1970s. Functions as a coffee or occasional table as well.
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign Style Chest of Drawers by John Stuart
Located in Dorchester, MA
This large, campaign-style chest of drawers was manufactured in the 1950s by John Stuart, a company known for their high-quality pieces that referenced earlier centuries. It comprise...
Category

1950s American Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Campaign commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods, Baker Furniture Company, and Sarreid Ltd.. 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $883 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $3,306.

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