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.
1970s Romweber Burl Wood and Gold Trim Executive Desk and Credenza Set
By Mastercraft, Romweber Furniture Co., Bernhard Rohne
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Together, these two monumental Romweber pieces create a striking executive office suite rooted in 1970s American luxury and craftsmanship. Crafted in richly figured burled Carpathian...
Brass
Mid-Century Campaign Style Bamboo / Rattan / Wicker Credenza Or Cabinet Chest
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a striking credenza with quite a bit of family friendly storage! It is a large scale bamboo credenza with campaign styling. It is painted with a deep red frame and red birds....
Brass
Vintage Boho Woven Rattan Trellis Low Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Imbue your living space with the relaxed sophistication of this vintage woven rattan low credenza. Expertly crafted in the 1970s, this piece features a tight, textural wicker weave c...
Metal
1970s Romweber Burled Wood Gold Accent Credenza with Filing Drawers
By Mastercraft, Romweber Furniture Co., Bernhard Rohne
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Luxury, pure and simple. Well maybe not so simple… this burled Carpathian elm wood credenza wears it’s gold trim like fine jewelry. The chocolate hued wood is illuminated with brilli...
Brass
$3,440 / item
Campaign Style Mahogany Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
This exquisite cabinet is crafted from rich mahogany wood, offering a deep, lustrous finish that adds warmth and sophistication to any room. The brass accents provide a touch of vint...
Wood
Mid-Century Campaign Style Long Chest or Cabinet
By Directional
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid-century chest or cabinet crafted in mahogany featuring multiple components including brass campaign style hardware including three drawers and three doors. Plenty of storage...
Brass
Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Campaign Walnut Dresser or Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style long dresser or credenza By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, 1960s Walnut, with original brass hardwa...
Brass
$18,749
H 23.63 in W 88.59 in D 21.66 in
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble TV Cabinet, Calacatta Viola, by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mid-Century Modern Olival Marble TV Cabinet, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Olival marble TV cabinet draws inspiration from the sacred ...
Marble, Quartz, Travertine, Brass, Stainless Steel
$6,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.75 in W 70.5 in D 18 in
Harvey Probber Bleached Ribbon Mahogany Long Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Harvey Probber long, low credenza or sideboard with four ascending height drawers and pair of shelved cabinets measuring 16.5" wide x 21" high. Sleek conical brass pulls and dark mah...
Brass
$3,995
H 31.13 in W 71.25 in D 18 in
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Romweber USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass trim and origi...
Brass
$5,000
H 28.38 in W 77.82 in D 21 in
Impressive Mid-Century Modern Jens Risom Large Walnut Credenza or Sideboard
By Jens Risom
Located in St. Louis, MO
Handsome Jens Risom (1916-2016) designed Danish Modern walnut credenza is perfect for office or home. Designed and produced by Jens Risom...
Walnut
French Art Deco Style Mahogany Credenza
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a sophisticated French Art Deco credenza/dresser crafted in richly figured mahogany, showcasing the sleek geometry and refined elegance characteristic of the period. The beau...
Metal
$4,700
H 29.75 in W 51.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Mirror and Chrome Four Door Cabinet or Credenza
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek minimalist cabinet by Ello Furniture circa 1970's. It features mirror polished chrome sides, mirrored doors, mirrored top, and tons of storage. Clean and ready to use.
Chrome
Rare 1970s Gianni Walnut & Lucite Floating Executive Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare and Monumental 1970s Gianni Floating Walnut & Lucite Executive Desk in the style of Vladimir Kagan. Beautiful solid walnut bullnose edging, two smaller drawers on the left ...
Steel
1970s National Mt. Airy Military Campaign Style Executive Desk
Located in Dallas, TX
Another good looking campaign style piece for your collection! We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage executive desk hand crafted in the Military Campaign style by Mt. Airy, which is one of the higher quality campaign manufacturers. This well-made desk executed out of oakwood which has a lovely warm patina to it, the cuts of timber are lovely with great proportions from any angle. Supporting a rectangular top with a central drawer flanked on either side by a column cabinet with four drawers each having a top and bottom drawer, two of which are double as a filing drawer in the middle offering plenty of storage space. Solid finished back all standing on a plinth base to make it more stable. The brass inset military handles & brass corner brackets are all original and in brass. Signed "National Mt...
Oak
Shale Low Credenza (84") by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Both monumental and subtle, the Shale Credenza brings the intricacies of nature’s geology indoors. The wood doors are scored vertically across the grain...
Brass
Low Profile Danish Style Ash Wood Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Petra cabinet is a wooden sideboard, with central drawers and two side doors, made in the Danish mid-century modern style. Made of blonde color ash wood with tapered legs and scu...
Wood
$4,995
H 30.5 in W 78.25 in D 20 in
William Doezema for Mastercraft Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Credenza
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet. By William Doezema for Mastercraft. USA, 1970s. Burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass t...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Credenza File Cabinet
Located in Baltimore, MD
Remarkably Mid-Century, black Formica top file office credenza by Kimball Office Furniture. A beautiful example of Mid-Century craftsmanship. Expertly crafted with a fully finished b...
Formica, Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 74 in D 19 in
1970s John Widdicomb Burlwood Modern Campaign Style Credenza / Chest of Drawers
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This piece is one of my favorites! It is a John Widdicomb burlwood credenza with modern campaign styling. The piece is marked, and in very good condition. The hardware is original, a...
Brass
Vintage Campaign Style Chest or Credenza by Theodore Alexander
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome mid century chest crafted in mahogany with campaign style brass banding and hardware, having six drawers and two cabinets with geometric open fretwork and standing on classi...
Brass
Sold
H 40.16 in W 92.13 in D 20.08 in
A Composition of Stoic Vernacular: Breton Oak Sideboard, Normandy
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
A composition of stoic restraint, this Breton sideboard—unearthed in Normandy—reveals a language of rural geometry and sculptural calm. Executed in so...
Oak
Vintage Boho Drexel Campaign Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Command attention in any room with this stunning Vintage Boho Drexel Campaign Credenza, a sophisticated fusion of classic American craftsmanship and global design inspiration. Featur...
Brass
French Sideboard In Solid Blond Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
French sideboard in solid oak blond end 19th This sideboard opens with three doors and two drawers. The drawers can be used to store cutlery sets. They are mounted in a dovetail ens...
Oak
Pair of Modernist Campaign Chest for Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Denton, TX
A pair of console cabinets from Henredon's Artefacts Collection, designed in a campaign style. Crafted from oak with a subtly distressed finis...
Brass
Pair of Modernist Campaign Chest for Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Denton, TX
A pair of console cabinets from Henredon's Artefacts Collection, designed in a campaign style. Crafted from oak with a subtly distressed finis...
Brass
Natural Oak Credenza, Classical elegance, France, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing an exquisite 1940s French buffet, inspired by the visionary work of renowned furniture designer Charles Dudouyt. This remarkable piece, crafted from solid oak, showcases ...
Oak
Natural Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Unearthed in Normandy, this Breton-style sideboard in solid oak boasts a stunning brutalist look that brings a touch of raw and powerful design to any space. With two spacious storag...
Oak
French Natural Oak Credenza, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing a captivating French Art Deco buffet from the 1940s, showcasing its authentic charm and the unique character acquired through the passage of time. Crafted with natural oak, this elegant piece bears the marks of age, adding to its allure and telling the story of its history. The wear and patina acquired over the years serve as a testament to the buffet's authenticity, making it a truly distinctive and one-of-a-kind piece. The natural oak, with its rich grain patterns and weathered appearance, exudes a sense of warmth and authenticity that only time can bestow. This buffet's aged beauty and authentic charm contribute to its overall appeal, creating an atmosphere of nostalgia and history within any space it graces. Each imperfection and mark serves as a reminder of the buffet's journey, adding depth and character to its design. While showcasing the natural wear of age, this French Art Deco buffet remains structurally sound and functional. Its enduring craftsmanship and sturdy construction ensure its continued use and enjoyment, even as it exudes an undeniable vintage charm. Experience the enchanting allure of this 1940s French Art Deco buffet...
Oak
Sold
H 30 in W 64.25 in D 18 in
Thomasville Embassy Wood Inlay Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Credenza
By Dorothy Draper, Thomasville, Drexel, Henredon
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign credenza made by esteemed US furniture maker Thomasville circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain fruitwood (most likely pecan) from top to bottom are the hallmarks of the Embassy line. Black lacquer accents and brass pull hardware tie together British traditional and Eastern design. The door facades exhibit a diamond pattern wood inlay with contrasting color tones, presented tastefully to demonstrate a delicate ornate sensibility. Two large Interior cabinet spaces offer heaps of open storage with a single stationary shelf in each bay. No composite or MDF anywhere on this campaign credenza. Thomasville used a combination of solid hardwood interiors, solid fruitwood and veneers. We purchased this from the original owners out of time-capsule estate and nearly everything in the home was from the Thomasville Embassy...
Brass
Campaign Style Chest of Drawers or Dresser
By West Michigan Furniture Co.
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Handsome vintage campaign style chest with eight drawers crafted in rosewood with bold grains and cross banding on the front, brass hardware, and block feet. Perfect marriage of trad...
Rosewood