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.
$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
Reno Wahl for Dyrlund Vintage Danish Teak Metamorphic Captains Campaign Bar
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely original circa 1960s solid Danish teak at home bar on wheels designed by the great Reno Wahl Iversen and retailed thr...
Teak
FiNE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN HARDWOOD MILITARY CAMPAIGN DRINKS CABINET HIDDEN INSIDE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Antique Victorian Circa 1880-1900 Mahogany, Military Campaign side table sides drawers unit wh...
Brass
RENO WAHL FOR DYRLUND ViNTAGE DANISH HARDWOOD METAMORPHIC CAPTAINS CAMPAIGN BAR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1960’s solid Rosewood at home bar on wheels designed by the great Reno Wahl Ivers...
Hardwood
Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Hidden Inside a Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Burr yew wood military campaign chest of drawers which houses a drinks cabinet A very good looking well made and decorative piece,...
Brass
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
Chinese Handcarved Chinoiserie Wood Trunk Chest
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Chinese antique handcarved wood trunk or chest with great reddish patina and brass hardware. Great condition.
Wood
Danish Bar Cabinet by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund
Located in Karlstad, SE
"Captains bar" designed by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund, Denmark. The bar is made of rosewood with elegant details in brass. The black l...
Brass
Baker Styled Walnut Mahogany Bar / Sever Cabinet
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted two piece four door cabinet with book matched wood grained fronts opening to revel two glass and two wooden adjustable shelves with two smaller drawers one with d...
Brass
$1,249Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 66.9 in W 31.5 in D 11.4 in
"Perf" Bar Cabinet in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Moroso, Diesel Creative Team 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a bar cabinet, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, b...
Steel
$4,500
H 16.75 in W 37.5 in D 17.75 in
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
$3,407
H 61.82 in W 39.38 in D 17.72 in
Gorgeous French Walnut Parquetry Drinks Cocktail Bar Cabinet Cupboard
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Gorgeous Parquetry French drinks dry cabinet. A very well-made French cabinet made from walnut. The panels were made with parquetry, making...
Walnut
$1,026Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 16.54 in
Italian Hand Painted Venetian Style Cabinet, C1960
Located in Trensacq, FR
Italian hand-painted Venetian style cabinet, C1960 Beautiful Venetian style painted cabinet c1960s Italy. Simple neoclassical style, wonderfully complimented by the delicate figurati...
Wood, Paint
$5,141 / set
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 14.38 in
Late Vintage Pair of Luggage Cases, English, Leather Trunk, Campaign, Nightstand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a late vintage pair of luggage cases. An English, leather and brass bedside nightstand, or occasional tables with storage, offering 21st century campaign revival styling. Ey...
Brass
Antique Burr Walnut Queen Anne Style Cocktail Drinks Cabinet
Located in London, GB
An exceptional antique burr walnut Queen Anne style cocktail drinks cabinet. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1920-30’s. It is of amazing quality with some extremely beautiful and useful features. There is fine floral carving all over the base and upper edges, with stunning burr walnut grain patterns throughout. The solid walnut legs have finely carved hairy paw feet. There are excellent brass mounts on the exposed door hinges, central plaque and drawer pulls, all with beautiful details. The interior is sycamore lined, with two removable glass shelves and a pull out mirrored...
Brass
$4,643Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Midcentury Style Brass and Blu Murano Glass Bar Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade bar cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and hand-cut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass raised on sp...
Glass, Wood
$8,500
H 19.5 in W 41 in D 21 in
English Campaign Camphor & Oxblood Leather Brass Banded Military Trunk, C. 1815
Located in Charleston, SC
English Campaign military camphor wood and oxblood leather hinged trunk with exterior brass banding, decorative brass tacking, flanking carrying side handles, and resting on the orig...
Brass
Danish Viking Bar Cabinet
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A very unusual, hand painted bar cabinet, as a Danish Viking, made in Italy. Striking naive/modern style, humorous and direct. The back is finished and ...
Wood
Large Italian Mid-Century Wood Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Italian dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated picturesque world ...
Metal
Vintage Henredon Dry Bar Cabinet in Campaign Style Scene 1 One
By Henredon
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Henredon Campaign Style Dry Bar Cabinet! This vintage Henredon dry bar cabinet, designed in the classic campaign style, is a beautiful and functional piece. Its mobile desig...
Wood
Italian Mid-Century Modern Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This impressive Italian mid-size dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated pict...
Wood, Paper
Italian Mid-Century Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Italian dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated picturesque world ...
Wood, Paper
Sold
H 30.5 in W 59.5 in D 19 in
Olive Burl Black Lacquer Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
By Dorothy Draper, Henredon, Drexel, Century Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Century circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain olive ...
Brass
English Country Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
English Country cocktail cabinet - An oak and brass bound travel trunk style wine and cocktail cabinet with a hinged lid. The front panel is lined wi...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 40 in D 19.25 in
Campaign Style Dry Bar Black Flip Top by Drexel Attr to Accolade II Collection
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Campaign style dry bar in a medium-dark veneer, possibly pecan, with a black dyed wood top, an interior black laminate flip top, and antiqued brass plated hardware a...
Metal, Brass
Henredon Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand
By Henredon
Located in Pasadena, TX
Henredon 22 Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand Single campaign side table or nightstand. Single drawer with open storage beneath. Walnut with recessed brass pull and details.
Walnut
Campaign Style Cabinet, Mahogany
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware rich brown hand-rubbed finish on mahogany quarter cut ...
Wood
Campaign Style Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “rustic” warm walnut finish with subtle visual d...
Wood
Vintage Tambour Roll Bar Liquor Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very unusual vintage bar, the domed tambour top opening to reveal a fitted interior with various compartments above a useful pull-out surface for mixing drinks, the whole raised on...
Cherry
Sold
H 16.5 in W 24.5 in D 11.5 in
Handcrafted Campaign Chest Field Bar in Walnut and Brass by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
This handcrafted Campaign chest field bar in walnut and brass is the result of a unique partnership among Southern artisans. This Campaign Chest, an expressi...
Hardwood, Walnut