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.
Drexel Campaign Dry Bar Side Board Slide Top Rolling 1970s
By Drexel
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Brass
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
Bar Cabinet in Ash Veneer and Brown Check Fabric, Antique Campaign Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Bar cabinet inspired by antique campaign drinks cabinets. Its compact design includes an upper glass holder, storage for seven wine bottles, five open shelves, and two drawers. The s...
Zinc
American of Martinsville Campaign Server
Located in Bradenton, FL
A 1970’s campaign style buffet/server made by American of Martinsville. The cabinet top slides and lifts revealing a black laminate serving area that extends to double the length of ...
Brass
$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
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
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
Rolling Dry Bar Designed by Gio Tirotto for Mingardo
By Mingardo, Gio Tirotto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rolling is a cart for serving spirits. The project researches the best combination between simply primordially being and high quality handmade. “The same way how I would describe the best gin tonic...
Iron
$4,582Sale 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
French Demilune Dry Bar, Rattan and Woven Grasscloth, 1970s
Located in Kaštel Sućurac, HR
French Demilune Dry Bar, Rattan and Woven Grasscloth, 1970s. This dry bar is built on a bentwood rattan frame with panels of woven grasscloth wrapping the curved demilune body. The silhouette combines a half-round front with a raised counter top and a lower service shelf, framed by double rattan rails that follow the curve at top and base. The rattan uprights divide the front into vertical panels, and the counter surface is finished in a tight woven cane weave. The interior reveals a wood-backed open storage section with a fitted stemware rack and a central shelf for bottles and glassware. Raised on short rattan legs, this rattan dry bar carries the relaxed tropical modern character associated with French 1970s rattan furniture...
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
$14,999Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 75.99 in W 29.93 in D 23.23 in
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s by Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, chrome ...
Metal
Milo Baughman Style Burl Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in San Francisco, CA
Milo Baughman style two door cabinet or dry bar featuring burl olive wood doors supported by a cast aluminum floating base and a stained walnut case. Fitted interior consists of a si...
Aluminum
Coastal Style Rattan Dry Bar/ Serving Cart. Circa 1970s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Boho Chic / Coastal Style Rattan Dry Bar/ Serving Cart in the Franco Albini's Manner. Circa 1970s Features a two-tiered frame with ornate accents and handles at both sides. I...
Bamboo, Rattan
American of Martinsville Walnut Server and Hutch Set
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Two piece server and hutch set by America of Martinsville. Both are constructed of walnut with the server featuring a wicker style doors, and the hutch feating sliding glass doors. ...
Walnut
Campaign-Style Dry Bar Cabinet on Barley Twist Sculptural Base
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
A striking cocktail cabinet by Jansen, the Dutch design firm founded in 1981 by Andries Jansen and Fredrick Janssen. This distinctive piece fuses Chinoiserie and Anglo-Indian influen...
Mahogany
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mastercraft Mid Century Brass and Burled Elm Dry Bar Server This dry bar measures: 40 wide x 19.25 deep x 33 high, when extended the width is 59.75 inches We take our photos in a c...
Brass
Arthur Umanoff Cocktail Dry Bar or Server for Raymor
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Arthur Umanoff bar for Raymor. Wrought iron base, oak slats, rush and Formica top. Overall nice original condition, oak restored, wrought iron base repainted, top in very ...
Wrought Iron
1950's Drinks Cabinet
Located in Crowthorne, Surrey
A 1950's drinks cabinet with original internal glass, stands, mirror and drawers. Renovated to the highest standard with a new exterior finish. Width: 83cm / 32.6" Depth: 35cm 13...
Marble
$3,887
H 31.3 in W 22.64 in D 24.02 in
Antique English Oak Metamorphic Rise & Fall Cocktail Drinks Cabinet Dry Bar
Located in Norwich, England
Fabolous Edwardian oak metamorphic rise & fall drinks cabinet bar by Eveleigh Bishop, Leeds. Bramah lock. Circa 1900. Made in solid oak throughout, the cabinet is of square form and...
Brass
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 Drexel, Henredon, Century Furniture, Dorothy Draper
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