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
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
$2,594 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Beautiful Vintage Kennedy for Harrods Campaign.
This vintage Harrods Kennedy military campaign chest ...
Category
20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pine Apothecary Cabinet Style Chest of Drawers
Located in Astoria, NY
Pine Apothecary Cabinet Style Chest of Drawers, four drawers, each drawer face with three brass pulls. 37.5" H x 34.5" W x 18.5" D. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Collection.
Category
20th Century Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Pine
Military / Campaign Chest i eg, England
Located in Kastrup, DK
Elegant and functional campaign chest crafted from solid oak with original recessed brass handles and brass corner mounts.
The chest is made in two separate sections with brass carry...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Military Campaign Style Vintage Burr Walnut Side Table Sized Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Burr Walnut Military Campaign style, side table sized chest of drawers.
A v...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$1,400 Sale Price
25% Off
Walnut Campaign Chest of Drawers, Colonial Commode
Located in Potters Bar, GB
- Cracking campaign chest of drawers in walnut.
- Classic campaign look with the brass handles and corner protectors.
- Campaign furniture was designed to be moved around easily.
- Five drawers so ample storage on this gorgeous chest...
Category
1990s Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
Handmade Hardwood & Brass French Polished Domed Two Drawer Campaign Chest
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite Handmade Hardwood & Brass French Polished Domed Two Drawer Campaign Captains Chest.
Decorated With Brass Inlay & Flanked By Two Carry Handles.
Inside Features A Remova...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th Century English Mahogany Campaign Secretary / Chest of Drawers
Located in Viterbo, VT
Campaign secretary chest of drawers hand-made in England in the early 1800s using mahogany. This is a beautifully-made chest that serves the...
Category
Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
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
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
Victorian Mahogany And Brass Mounted Campaign Chest
Located in Essex, MA
Rectangular top over two short and four long drawers all with recessed handles. The top left drawer with lock signed Late C. Bramah and also J.T Needs New Bond Street. Brass side han...
Category
1870s English Antique 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
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
$6,950 / set
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
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
$3,045 Sale Price
43% 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
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
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 Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Located in London, GB
A fantastic pair of antique military campaign style bedside chests. They were made in England, and date from around the 1930’s.
They are of superb quality and are a lovely size, per...
Category
1930s British Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century British Campaign Chest in Mahogany with Brass Hardware
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A handsome early 1800s British campaign chest, expertly crafted in richly grained mahogany and featuring original recessed brass hardware and corner mounts. Designed for ease of tran...
Category
Early 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
Good Quality 3 Drawer Mahogany Campaign Chest, from HMS Renown
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Good Quality 3 Drawer Mahogany campaign chest, from HMS Renown
This is a delightful and interesting piece, it is made in Mahogany, a Campaign Chest with inset brass handles and 3 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Military Campaign Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A finely constructed and very smart antique military campaign style chest of drawers. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s.
The quality is superb, this is a lov...
Category
1950s British Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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
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
19th Century Oak Military Chest with Writing Interior
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century large oak military chest. The top lifting to reveal four shelves and centred by a mirror over two top short drawers and four long drawers with brass pulls. The centre dr...
Category
Late 19th Century Irish Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
$3,874 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
Vintage Pulaski Burlwood Campaign Style Chest
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Vintage 36.5 Pulaski Burlwood Campaign Style Chest
Interesting version of a campaign style chest in rich burl. Detailed brass recessed pulls and accents.
Category
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Metal
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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