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.
Jans of London Campaign Style Display Vitrines - PAIR
Located in North Miami, FL
Jans of London vintage pair of display cabinets in the Campaign stye - made of mahogany and brass details throughout. A brand known for quality manufacturing of vintage home goods i...
Brass
Vintage Brass Table Display Case - Vitrine
Located in København, København
Beautiful antique French brass glass table display cabinet - vitrine. The lid can be fixed in an open position and can be locked by twisti...
Brass
Vintage Mahogany Display Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Pasadena, CA
This elegant vintage mahogany display cabinet has a mirrored back and two glass shelves to exhibit your special treasures. Adorned wi...
Glass, Mahogany
Mastercraft Brass Vitrine / Display Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Discover the allure of refined vintage design with this exceptional Mastercraft brass vitrine display cabinet. Meticulously ...
Brass
Sold|$6,996 / set
H 82 in W 32 in D 15 in
Henredon Display Cabinets Etageres Vitrines Scene One Campaign, Set of 4
By Henredon
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 4 1980's Henredon scene One campaign style Curio Display Cabinets Etageres...
Brass
French Art Deco Vitrine, Display Cabinet
Located in North Bergen, NJ
This incredible French Art Deco vitrine has a large glass front with glass shelves inside. Gold hardware to accent the wood beautifully. Can be...
$3,995
H 88 in W 49.5 in D 14.5 in
Baker Paint Decorated Venetian Italian Vitrine Display China Cabinet Vitrine
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite Baker Furniture Venetian Italian paint decorated vitrine cabinet is a masterful blend of artistry, elegance, and functionality. Featuring a beautifully curved bonnet t...
Walnut
$5,596Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 77.5 in W 32 in D 15.25 in
Vintage Display Cases Vitrines by American of Martinsville, Set of 3
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 3 vintage display cases...
Brass
$4,500
H 80.25 in W 36 in D 20 in
Vintage Chrome and Brass Vitrine / Display Cabinet, Mastercraft Style
By Mastercraft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning vintage vitrine/display cabinet that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship reminiscent of Mastercraft pieces, expertly manufactured in the United States duri...
Brass, Chrome
Bernhard Rohne Pair Mastercraft Display Cabinet Vitrines
By Bernhard Rohne, Mastercraft
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair Mastercraft illuminated display cabinet - Vitrines designed by Bernhard Rohne. Very well cared for in very good to excellent condition. Mastercraft was an old school United st...
Brass
$7,800 / set
H 35.25 in W 35.5 in D 18 in
Rare Pair of Anglo-Indian Teak Vitrine Display Tables Cabinets, 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A SCARCE PAIR OF ANGLO-INDIAN TEAK VITRINE CABINETS Probably British Colonial, circa mid-19th century 35 1/4" H x 18" D x 35 1/2" W Essay: Often called a bijouterie or display tab...
Brass
$34,500
H 62.25 in W 26.75 in D 16.25 in
Louis XV Style Ormolu & Jasperware-Mounted Display Vitrine Attr. François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French Louis XV style ormolu and jasperware-mounted mahogany single door vitrine display or curio cabinet, attributed to François Linke (1855-1946). The two upper front c...
Marble, Ormolu
$6,400 / set
H 78.5 in W 17.75 in D 13.75 in
Vintage Spanish Bronze Glass Vitrine Display Cabinet Sarreid Mastercraft Style
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Inspired by Spanish European modernist design, this pair of tall vitrines showcases bronze-finished metal frames with clear glass doors and shelving. Elegant yet understated, in the ...
Brass, Bronze
Henredon Display Cabinets Etageres Vitrines Scene One Campaign, Set of 4
By Henredon
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 4 1980's Henredon scene One campaign style Curio Display Cabinets Etageres...
Brass
Vintage English Campaign Style Display Counter or Box on Stand
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive English campaign style display table with a box on stand crafted in mahogany having a hinged lockable glass top showing a felt lined interior perfect for a collection or r...
Brass
Sold
H 78.25 in W 36 in D 15.5 in
Campaign Style Oak Curio Cabinet by Drexel Heritage Accolade II Collection
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Campaign style oak lighted curio cabinet by Drexel Heritage Accolade II Collection with glass shelves, brass pulls, & cor...
Brass
Sold
H 74.5 in W 29 in D 16.75 in
Late 20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Lighted Display Cabinet Style of Drexel
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Asian Chinoiserie & Campaign style lighted narrow display cabinet with 3 fixed glass shelves, brass corner details, & hardware in the style of Drexel. Beautiful condit...
Brass
Sold
H 82.25 in W 31 in D 15 in
Pair of Vintage Curio Display Cabinets Campaign Style by Henredon, 1980s
By Henredon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful pair of 1980’s Campaign Style Curio Display Cabinets designed by Henredon. They have the label in the back, shown in the pictures. Additionally, they are made of wood, bra...
Brass
Sold
H 82 in W 31.75 in D 15 in
Henredon British Colonial / Campaign Style Display / Vitrine Cabinets - Pair
By Henredon
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a pair of Henredon display cabinets with campaign styling. The backs are mirrored with adjustable glass shelves. They have two lights ...
Brass
Burlwood Lighted Console Display Cabinet, Late 20th Century
Located in Raymondville, TX
A late 20th century two-door lighted console curio cabinet. Featuring a beautiful burlwood top, inset beveled glass door and side panels, mirrored back, sin...
Brass
Sold
H 82.25 in W 32 in D 15 in
1980s Henredon Scene One Campaign Wood and Glass Display Cabinets, Pair
By Henredon
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a beautiful set of display cases from the Scene One Collection by Henredon, circa the 1980s. These traditional campaign style cases are showcase pieces by themselves, crafted from oakwood and ornamental solid brass hardware. The curio cabinets feature beveled glass on doors and side panels and a mirror interior back panel. Flush mount brass pulls open to reveal four adjustable glass shelves with plate grooves, the perfect space to display curated collections...
Brass
Vintage Wood Frame Glass Display Case
Located in New York, NY
The vintage wood frame glass display case, shown here, is generously sized to allow plenty of storage opportunity for collections of all typ...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 82 in W 31 in D 15 in
1964 Mid Century Henredon Scene One Oak Campaign Curio Display Cabinet Vitrine
By Henredon
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-century Henredon Scene one display illuminated cabinet or vitrine. Made of oak featuring campaign styling with beveled glass sides / doors, bra...
Brass
Sold
H 81 in W 23.25 in D 15.25 in
Weiman Hollywood Regency Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Narrow Lighted Display Cabin
By Weiman
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome narrow lighted display cabinet in a Hollywood Regency Campaign faux bamboo style by Weiman. It is in incredible vintage condition with no outstanding flaws. Please see photo...
Brass
Sold
H 81 in W 23.25 in D 15.25 in
Weiman Hollywood Regency Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Narrow Display Cabinet
By Weiman
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome narrow lighted display cabinet in a Hollywood Regency Campaign faux bamboo style by Weiman. It is in incredible vintage condition with no outstanding flaws. Please see photo...
Brass