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.
French country style oval extendable dining Table in solid Oak
Located in Landivy, FR
This oval dining table is in a French Countryside style also called "Campagne chic" in French. 2 integrated extensions of 40 cm / 15.7" each are folded under the tray The tabl...
Oak
$3,950Sale Price|31% Off
Antique Fratino Italian Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Fratino wood table .Table is 122 inches for 10-12 people very comfortable . table can be dismantled and make it easy for shipping or moving around .
Wood
Campaign Style Double Pedestal Dining Table by McGuire Bamboo Bases & Glass Top
By John McGuire, McGuire
Located in Topeka, KS
Spectacular vintage Campaign style double pedestal dining table composed of golden gate orange painted metal substrates, bamboo, natural rawhide leather wraps, & a rectangular be...
Metal
French Provincial Style Extendable Oval Table with a Light White Cream Finish
Located in Landivy, FR
This 2 leaves extensible oval table is typical of French classical furniture pieces and belongs to our TRADITION collection which takes up the timeless classics of the charm of the F...
Oak, Cherry
French handcrafted extendable ovalized Dining Table in solid stained Cherry wood
Located in Landivy, FR
This 2 leaves extensible oval table is typical of French classical furniture pieces and belongs to our TRADITION collection which takes up the timeless classics of the charm of the F...
Oak, Cherry
French whitened & pearl-grey lacquered oval Table in Oak with 2 extensions
Located in Landivy, FR
This piece belongs to our TRADITION collection which takes up the classics and the charm of the classical French countryside named "Campagne Chic". The saber legs, the pilasters and ...
Oak
Vintage 1960s Solid Wood Farmhouse Table with Iron Accents
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Its patina is what gives it its character !! Large solid wood farmhouse table Brutalist - Natural decoration - Vintage Measures : 198,5x72cm H:78cm Materials : Wood - iron Sold as is
Wood
Bespoke French Oak Pugin Table
Located in Petworth, West Sussex
In an Arts & Crafts style, rectangular or circular, with semi-circular carved supports; available in a number of wood finishes and top thicknesses; with concealed or exposed bolts; made to order in 6-8 weeks; prices from £7,500 for a 200 cm long rectangular table...
Oak
Country French Provincial Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Exquisite country French provincial farmhouse dining table featuring demilune ends. This large table is crafted from oak with a trestle style base. The case or frieze has six storage...
Iron
McGuire Organic Modern Bamboo Rattan Round Dining Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Genuine McGuire round dining table featuring a square base. The base is created from an iron frame painted golden gate orange for authencity...
Iron
18th-Century Italian Fratino Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This Italian fratino table dates to the 18th century and exemplifies the restrained elegance and sculptural strength characteristic of traditional Italian furniture. Crafted in solid...
Wood
Antique Cherry Tapered Leg Oval Drop Leaf Table
Located in Billingshurst, GB
Antique Cherry oval drop leaf dining table. Table centre with Leaves down measures 25" in width. This wonderful table has great original colour and patination. The base is original a...
Cherry
Vintage Country French Louis XV Style Extending Dining Table
Located in Forney, TX
An elegant country French Louis XV style carved oak expandable dining table from the early/mid 20th century. This Louis XV draw-leaf table features two pullout leaves that rest und...
Oak
$2,867
H 28.35 in W 63 in D 41.34 in
Vintage 1960s Oval Brutalist Danish Extending Oak Dining Table Style of Kjærnulf
Located in Store Heddinge, DK
This vintage oak table captures the essence of Henning Kjærnulf's design philosophy, blending a bold brutalist aesthetic with refined craftsmanship. The intricate leg carvings harmon...
Oak
Country French Provincial Style Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Distinctive country French provincial style farmhouse dining table from the Netherlands crafted from oak. The table features a thick rectangular top supported by a trestle base. The ...
Oak
1930s French Art Deco Oak Extendable Dining Table
Located in Astoria, NY
Gorgeous 1930s French Art Deco dining table, hand-crafted in Provence, France, from solid oak. This exquisite piece features intricate hand-carved detailing and showcases a rectangul...
Oak
Country French Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 20th century country French provincial style farmhouse dining table crafted from oak. The table features a massive 3" inch thick top crafted from solid oak timbers. The top ...
Oak
$5,780
H 29.5 in W 78.5 in D 33.5 in
19th Century Country French Provincial Chestnut Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic 19th century country French provincial farmhouse dining table crafted from chestnut. The table features a four plank top 1 inch thick with tongue and groove joinery and a beau...
Chestnut
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.25 in W 78.75 in D 33.5 in
Country French Provincial Oak Farmhouse Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming country French provincial farmhouse dining table or harvest table crafted from solid oak hardwood. The country table features a massive 2 inch thick solid plank top supporte...
Oak
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Drexel Accolade Campaign Dining Table
By Drexel
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous vintage Boho dining table. Made by the iconic Drexel group and tagged on the bottom. Part of the coveted Accolade Campaign collect...
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 65.75 in D 35.44 in
SUPER RARE HARRODS LONDON REH KENNEDY 4-6 PERSON DiNING TABLE MILITARY CAMPAIGN
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare, finely made, Harrods London, REH Kennedy Military Campaign dining table that can be used as...
Brass
Mahogany Campaign Table, England, circa 1860
Located in Culver City, CA
Mahogany Campaign Table, England, circa 1860 Collapsible campaign table with original brass hardware Measures 101”L x 31”d x 32.75”h
Brass
Sold
H 30.12 in W 180.32 in D 60.04 in
Antique English Military Campaign Mahogany Extending Dining Table & 6 Leaves
Located in Glasgow, GB
A super quality antique Victorian mahogany campaign dining table with six additional leaves and firmly attributed to Edwards & Roberts of London. This large 5ft round table smoothly ...
Brass, Steel
French 1800s Wine Tasters Vendange Large Flipped Top Table
Located in Germantown, MD
This oak tasting table is a specialized folding table utilized at vineyards and wineries across Europe, providing a place to stop and taste their different vintages. The underside of...
Oak
Indoor/Outdoor Metal Top and Base Garden Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Vintage rustic metal top with antique metal base. Table can be used indoor, outdoor or on porch, deck or patio. Top and base can be sold separately....
Metal
Sold
H 30.71 in W 98.43 in D 31.5 in
Large Monastery Dinning Table Made of Oak with a Blue Stone Top, French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful large Monastery dinning table is made of oak with a blue stone top. This is a French work, end of 19th century.
Stone
French Painted Iron Round Folding Garden Dining Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Matching pair of French painted garden or patio dining tables. Featuring a bistro style folding frame. The round tops are decorated with a concentric pierced design patterns. Folds f...
Iron
French Zinc Folding Garden Tables
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare French zinc top garden tables featuring a bistro style folding iron base. These dining tables have beautifully aged soft zinc tops supported...
Iron, Zinc
Late 19th Century British Campaign Round Dining Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
Elegant and rare British Campaign solid wood dining table. Reeded edges and turned legs, which unscrew from underneath the tabletop for easier transport, typical of the Campaign piec...
Wood
Sold
H 31.75 in W 77.75 in D 54.5 in
Italian Campaign Wrought Iron and Pinewood Dining Table, 19th Century and Later
Located in Atlanta, GA
The base a mid-19th century collapsible and transportable wrought iron bed or table base with hinged stabilizing bars, the later pinewood top with apron resting atop the frame, table...
Iron
Sold
H 29.25 in Dm 47.5 in
Brass and Steel French Directoire Center Breakfast Dining Table attr. John Vesey
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a beautiful French Directoire brass and steel center or possibly a small breakfast or dining table. Designed in the style of John Vesey, this table is very sophisticated and ...
Metal, Brass