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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Style: Campaign
Lovely Antique Victorian Walnut Military Campaign Officers Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian Walnut Military officers Campaign chest of drawers
A very good looking period used piece, the drawers have lots of origina...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,849 Sale Price
30% Off
SCOTTISH 93RD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENT OF FOOT MiLITARY CAMPAIGN CHEST
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, fully signed, 93rd Lancers (Regiment of Foot) military campaign chest of drawers ci...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood
Original circa 1880 Hardwood Military Officers Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare and solid Mahogany Military Officers Campaign chest of drawers.
If you’re in the market for a super original Campaign chest of drawers...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$3,621 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid Century White Lacquer Campaign Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Freehold, NJ
This vintage campaign style chest features pressed wood construction with white lacquer veneer, brass accented hardware, four dovetailed drawers.
one identical piece available sepa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$325 Sale Price
50% Off
19th Century Victorian Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in New York, NY
Well-aged, warm Victorian campaign chest of drawers, consisting of two mahogany case pieces with brass mounts and pulls. The middle upper drawer folds out into a secretary desk equip...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Mastercraft Pair of Mid Century Brass Chests on Stands
By Mastercraft
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of vintage two drawer chests on stands having a stylized modern campaign form and drawer pulls on sleek tubular legs, all with a hip custom finish. Signed Mastercraft in a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Solid wood chest of drawers with 5 drawers
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Solid wood chest of drawers with 5 drawers
Chiffonier - Campagne furniture - Vintage
Measures : 46x40cm H:85cm
Category
20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Wood
19th Century British Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A FINE CHINESE EXPORT BRASS-BOUND CAMPAIGN CHEST
Probably Chinese Export for the British market, circa 1840-70, possibly composed of recycled parts well-figured hardwood floating ...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Drexel Accolade 3 drawer Walnut Campaign Chest
By Drexel
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a nice looking chest by Drexel. It has 3 drawers and the middle drawer is a double drawer. It's made of walnut and is in a campaign style. The corners and the pulls have bra...
Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
STUNNING ViNTAGE BURR WALNUT BUTLERS TABLE CHEST OF DRAWERS EXTENDING TOP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime Vintage hand made in England Burr Walnut chest of drawers with Butlers extending top
Please no...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
$2,041 Sale Price
20% Off
Victorian Brass Mounted Mahogany Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
In two sections meant for transportation. The top with cast brass edge over two short and one long drawer. The lower section with two long drawers. Toupie feet. Flush brass handles.
Category
1870s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Military Or Campaign Chest Of Drawers In Mahogany - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century mahogany campaign or military chest of drawers.
A high-quality chest of drawers that was originally in two parts, but was screwed together. This was done at the time to facilitate transport during military campaigns or on ships.
The chest of drawers is made entirely of solid mahogany and has the typical square shape of military chests of drawers.
English naval chest of drawers...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Victorian Apothecary Campaign 4 Drawer Brass Bound Chest with Hand Painted Front
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Victorian Apothecary Military Campaign four drawer brass bound chest finished with tooled black leather
A Beautiful handcrafted Apothecary C...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Campaign Style Gold Leafed Chest of Drawers by Baker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Campaign style gold leafed chest of drawers by Baker Furniture Company.
Category
1960s American Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Gold Leaf
$1,638 Sale Price
69% Off
Military Or Campaign Chest Of Drawers In Blond Mahogany With Secretary - 19th Ce
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century blond mahogany campaign or military chest of drawers with a secretary in the first drawer
Very beautiful secretary with a beautiful interior with two drawers and...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Harrods Military Campaign Faux Book Chest of Drawers Brown Leather Writing Slope
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade in England Harrods London Military Campaign chest of drawers with brown leather writing slope...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Leather
$3,863 Sale Price
30% Off
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
English 19th Century Teak Campaign Chest with Five Drawers and Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign teak wood chest from the 19th century, with brass hardware and bracket feet. Created in England during the 19th century, this teak wo...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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 five drawers, each with a butterfly design to the brass hardware. The round brass detail on the doors lends an Asian aesthetic to the functional narrow dresser.
Category
Mid-20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Burl
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
FOUR RARE ANTIQUE ORIGINAL CHINESE EXPORT CIRCA 1880 STACKABLE CAMPAIGN CHESTs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super are and highly collectable, original Chinese export circa 1880 suite of four stackable campaign c...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$8,774 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$1,690 Sale Price
30% Off
Anglo-Chinese Hardwood Naval Officer’s Campaign Chest
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An Anglo-Chinese hardwood naval officer’s campaign chest. This chest (probably padouk) is of typical rectangular form, in two brass-bound secti...
Category
1820s Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Hardwood
Campaign Wellington Chest Secretaire Desk 1840
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a mahogany Wellington chest with a secretaire writing surface
Circa 1840
Drawers can be locked by side piece that sits over drawers
Desk section opens up to reveal bl...
Category
1840s Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Tall Slim Vintage Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage Oak & Brass Military Campaign side table sized drawers
A truly stunning and well made pair, these are part of a se...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,655 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Lovely Vintage Rich Golden Brown Oak Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice vintage chest of Military Campaign drawers
A decorative and functional chest of drawers, made in the Campaign style in oak with b...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,849 Sale Price
30% Off
Circa 1880 Solid Oak & Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, highly collectable solid oak with over sized brass fittings Military Campaign chest of drawers with mahogany lined & brown leather ...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$4,345 Sale Price
30% Off
RESTORED ViNTAGE ENGLISH PINE & BRASS MILITARY CAMPIGN TALLBOY CHEST OF DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, fully restored hand made in England Pine and Brass tallboy chest of drawers
Please note the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,483 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Victorian Pitch Pine Military Campaign Used Chest of Drawers +Name Plate
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original late Victorian Military Campaign used chest of drawers in pitch pine with wrought iron ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,414 Sale Price
30% Off
Pair of Vintage Military Campaign Light Oak Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage oak & brass Military Campaign side table sized drawers.
A truly stunning and well made pair, these are part of a se...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$2,752 Sale Price / set
30% Off
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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