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Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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
Campaign Style Thomasville Furn Mystique 3 Section Modular Queen Bed & Armoires
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful campaign style modular wall unit bedroom or bed set up with side armoires comprised of dark wood, removeable mirrors, lights, full/queen headboard, and brass hardware by Thomasville Furniture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The top of the headboard has been refinished but the rest of the pieces have their original finish. No outstanding flaws that we have detected. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1970’s. Can a girl (or guy) ever have Too many options??? We think Not!!! Seriously!! Take another look at this Extremely cool, Extremely modular “Mystique” wall unit or bedroom set up by Tomlinson Furniture. So many options…We say that because the center, larger unit can be used as a headboard for a full or queen-sized bed. You just need a Hollywood frame, and it backs right up against the headboard which has drop front storage for extra pillows or blankets! The four mirrors are removeable so if you prefer you could take them off and expose a blank wall or hang your favorite piece of artwork. Plus, there are lights at the top of the crown unit and a shelf to hold a lamp, books, or décor! Now, it’s nice to have the two side cabinets in your bedroom if you need the space for storage…there is hanging space in the top wardrobe area and three nice sized drawer’s underneath…AND there are knobs immediately beneath the wardrobe section that pull out into a nightstand surface with a black laminate top!! SO NICE!! BUT…maybe it’s a little much for the space you have, and you want to break it up a bit. NO PROBLEM! The two side pier cabinets are modular and can stand individually in separate rooms or could set side by side in one room. Maybe you want to use the two pier cabinets in a second bedroom and put a beautiful brass bed between them and use the center unit in a different bedroom. The whole unit is comprised of a gorgeous sultry dark wood and the cabinets have beautiful brass escutcheons, teardrop pulls, and hardware. There are truly so many interchangeable possibilities with this wonderful campaign style wall unit and it is made with impeccable quality by an iconic manufacturer. You just can’t go wrong! The original Thomasville furniture company was founded in 1904. At the time, it was called the Thomasville chair company since the company focused on producing chairs exclusively. Over the next few decades, the catalog expanded to include additional furniture pieces. During this time, the original company went through several owners; despite this, the company still experienced financial success even through economic hardship of the 1930s. Vintage pieces from the Thomasville Furniture company run the gamut from chairs to dining room furniture and many different types of furniture in between. The earliest pieces from the company when it was still known as the Thomasville Chair Company are considered the most rare and valuable. If you are looking for authentic Thomasville vintage pieces, you will need to find them on the secondhand market. Thomasville Furniture is one of the most recognized furniture companies in America. You can count on Thomasville furniture for incredible dining room and bedroom furniture. – vintage furniture guide...
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Cross Country Highboy Armoire by Drexel
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with the Mid-Century Drexel Highboy Armoire. Crafted by Drexel, this timeless piece offers ample storage with a blend of drawers and ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Folding Clothes Hanging Rack A very unusual piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folding Clothes Hanging Rack A very unusual piece, this corner standing hanging wardrobe can be folded flat for storage, it has a selection of hooks and a curved curtain rail at th...
Category

1910s Vintage Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Pine

Pair of Vintage Solid Hardwood & Brass Military Campaign Wardrobes with Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Vintage, Military Campaign, Mahogany & Brass wardrobes RRP £7999 each This auction is for both wardrobes as pictured, one ha...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

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Mid Century Armoire, England circa 1960
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Mid-Century modern valet clothes by Ico Parisi
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Campaign Style Queen Headboard
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Campaign Style Queen Headboard
Campaign Style Queen Headboard
H 60.25 in W 63 in D 1.5 in
Carl Auböck II, Clothes Hangers, Austria, c. 1960
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Carl Auböck II, Austria (7) "rare" Walnut Clothes Hangers, circa 1960 in original condition - unmarked normal signs of use - scratches on the opposite of the brass hanger
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Mid-Century "Pueblo" Armoire by Lane
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish mid-century modern armoire manufactured by Lane. Intricate design throughout the piece's front. Ample storage space with adjustable shelving. Please confirm item location wit...
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Mid-20th Century American Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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Art Deco Bedroom Set: Armoire, Bed and Mirror - France, 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Lovely and lively exotic bedroom set comprised of one three-door wardrobe, a double bed and a large mirror. The set is lacquered in red and black with gilt and silvered decor repr...
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VINTAGE BEVAN FUNNELL MILiTARY CAMPAIGN SINGLE WARDROBE CUPBOARD
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Bevan Funnel Military Campaign Single Wardrobe Cupboard. A striking piece of craftsmanship that embodies both functionality and his...
Category

20th Century British Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Hardwood

Milo Baughman for Directional Campaign Wardrobe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This tall two piece wardrobe has all the right names attached! Designed by Milo Baughman for Directional's Custom Collection, and sold by Baker Furniture. Rich cocoa brown wood grain...
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Mid 19th Century Chinese Armoire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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Mid 19th Century Chinese Armoire
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Mid Century Modern Signed Dixie Furniture Tall Thin Wardrobe Nightstand Dresser
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Mid Century Cross Country Highboy Armoire by Drexel
Located in Delray Beach, FL
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ANTIQUE BURR WALNUT WARDROBE WiTH MILITARY CAMPAIGN CHEST OF DRAWERS BUILT IN
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, original circa 1900-1920 Burr Walnut free standing wardrobe...
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Early 1900s English Antique Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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Pair of Vintage Solid Hardwood & Brass Military Campaign Wardrobes with Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Vintage, Military Campaign, Mahogany & Brass wardrobes RRP £7999 each This auction is for both wardrobes as pictured, one ...
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Henredon Hollywood Regency Campaign Armoire Dresser or Gentleman's Chest
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A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Campaign style armoire dresser or gentleman's chest By Henredon USA, circa 1980s Ash wood, with original brass hardware. Measures: 28"W x 19"...
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Antique Swedish Burl Wood Hutch
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H 66 in W 49.5 in D 14.5 in
Rare Antique circa 1860-1880 Military Campaign Gentleman's Wardrobe with Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime circa 1860-1880 original gentleman’s military campaign compendium wardrobe with drawers...
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1860s English Antique Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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RARE ANTIQUE CIRCA 1860-1880 MILITARY CAMPAIGN GENTLEMAN'S WARDROBE WITH DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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2 Henredon Scene One Oak Campaign Clothing Wardrobe Chifferobe Armoires
Located in Dayton, OH
Two vintage Henredon scene I campaign style clothing armoires or wardrobe cabinets. Made of oak featuring upper shelves with four central cubbies and ...
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1980s Vintage Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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Baker Hollywood Regency Campaign Style Cherry and Brass Armoire Dressers, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Hollywood Regency Campaign style armoire dressers or gentleman's chests By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1970s Book-matched cherrywood and ebonized string in...
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1970s American Vintage Campaign Wardrobes and Armoires

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Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Campaign Cherry and Brass Armoire Dresser
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Hollywood Regency Campaign style armoire dresser or gentleman's chest By Baker Furniture USA, circa 1970s Book-matched cherrywood and ebonized string inlay and br...
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1 of 2 Stunning Bevan Funnel Military Campaign Wardrobes with Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale one of two stunning Bevan Funell military campaign mahogany wardrobes RRP £7999 each This auction is for the wardrobe with the drawers, the othe...
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Campaign wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wardrobes and armoires created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign wardrobes and armoires made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wardrobes and armoires, popular names associated with this style include and Thomasville. 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 wardrobes and armoires differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,821 and tops out at $14,400 while the average work can sell for $7,995.

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