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.
$2,016Sale Price|20% Off
Sublime Vintage Military Campaign Burr Yew Wood Coffee Table with Book Shelf
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely condition, Burr Yew Wood, Military Campaign style coffee table side side bookcase shelves This is a very well made and versatile piece with ...
Yew
$1,907Sale Price|20% Off
Fully Restored Burr Yew & Elm Brass Military Campaign 3 Drawer Coffee Table
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage collectable Burr Yew & Elm wood and Brass fully restored Military Campaign three drawer coffee table This piece was retailed throug...
Brass
$800
H 12 in W 26 in D 22.88 in
Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen France & Sons Teak Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table
By Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind, France & Søn
Located in Wayne, NJ
France & Sons teak Danish Scandinavian Modern coffee table. Designed by Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen and Torben Lind. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact...
Teak
$15,400
H 13 in W 24 in D 54 in
Charred Oak Japanese Inspired Coffee Table with hand chiseled solid Oak joinery
By Chris Miano
Located in Edgewater, NJ
Torched coffee table solid oak Designed and constructed from solid Oak this low-boy Japanese inspired coffee table features hand chiseled solid Oak Japanese joinery...
Wood, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen for Knoll Tulip Coffee Table with Walnut Top
By Knoll, Eero Saarinen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This table as acquired from the original owner who had purchased new in 1971. It features a powder coated aluminum base with a walnut top. Manufacturer label.
Aluminum, Iron
$3,215
H 18.51 in W 59.06 in D 32.29 in
R.E.H . Kenedy Stunning Large Cherry Wood Military Campaign Style Coffee Table
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this impressive large campaign style coffee table made by Kennedy fine furniture and retail by Harrods , with typical brass bound corners, glass bijouter...
Brass
$1,315Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 48.43 in D 19.3 in
Stunning Vintage Mahogany& Brass Military Campaign Coffee Table
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this Lovely Campaign Style mahogany &brass Coffee Table with black leather top separated in three parts , three opening drawers with inset brass handles ...
Brass
English Yew Three-Drawer Lowboy
Located in Woodbury, CT
Custom-made for us by a small cabinet shop in England, this little lowboy in distinctive yew wood is proportioned squarely at 27” x 27” yet it reads more rectangular because the curv...
Yew
STUNNING VINTAGE MILITARY CAMPAiGN BRASS COFFEE TABLE
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are so excited to present to you this stunning vintage military campaign mahogany & brass coffee table. The table has been retailed by John Lewis, you can see the plaque in one o...
Hardwood
Antique Leather Top Military Campaign Style Coffee Table
Located in London, GB
A fantastic antique military campaign style coffee table. This was made in England, we would date it from around the 1950’s. It is of superb quality and is a very useful size. The w...
Brass
$12,790 / item
H 11.82 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Three-dimensional Flat Surface White Limestone Coffee Table by Frédéric Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Arch buffon marble coffee table by Frédéric Saulou Limited edition : 1 / 12 Designer: Frederic Saulou Materials: Ornemental Limestone Buffon. Dimensions: L...
Other
$1,893
H 16.15 in W 35.44 in D 24.41 in
Kennedy for Harrods Brass Bound Military Campaign Glazed Coffee Table
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Kennedy for Harrods Brass Bound Military Campaign Glazed Coffee Table Depicting Antiquarian Maps of the World
Brass
Palette Coffee Table by MSJ Furniture Studio
Located in Vancouver, BC
Our Palette coffee table was not designed to be used as a palette but feel free to use as you wish. The Solid maple legs are hand turned in our studio in Vancouver. The table tops whitewashed finish allows you to see the polished wood grain through the stain. This item can be ordered in maple, beech, ash, oak, and walnut. Pictured above in a whitened maple top with clear coat big leaf maple...
Maple
$2,520
H 16.15 in W 48.04 in D 23.23 in
Restored Burr Yew & Elm Wood Brass Military Campaign Three Drawer Coffee Table
By Harrods
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning burr yew & elm wood military campaign coffee table retailed by Harrods London. This piece was retailed through Harrods London; the...
Brass
Amoeba Coffee Table by John Widdicomb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Coffee table by John Widdicomb c.1960s, USA. This beautiful maple table features an amoeba shaped table top with three slightly splayed dowel legs. Dimensions 54" width x 30" depth ...
Maple
$1,362Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 48.04 in D 22.05 in
Beautiful Large Yew Wood Military Campaign Coffee Table
Located in Crawley, GB
Large yew wood coffee table in the antique campaign style dating from around the 1930’period & in good condition. It has brass military inset handles & corner fittings on the back & ...
Brass
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco coffee table, burr walnut. Professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
Sold
H 20.28 in W 31.5 in D 12.6 in
EXQUISITE ANTIQUE ViCTORIAN FLAMED HARDWOOD GUN CASE WITH STAND COFFEE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare highly collectable Flamed Mahogany Military Campaign gun case with stand formed as a coffee t...
Hardwood
Sold
H 16.15 in W 48.04 in D 23.04 in
Fully Restored Burr & Burl Yew Brass Military Campaign 3 Drawer Coffee Table
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage collectable Burr Yew wood and Brass restored Military Campaign three drawer coffee table This piece was retailed through Harrods Lo...
Brass
Sold
H 16.34 in W 36.42 in D 18.51 in
Bevan and Funnel Military Campaign Chest TV Stand with Brown Leather
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Bevan Funnell Military Campaign chest of drawers or TV stand. This is a very good quality timeless piece made in England. The leather top i...
Hardwood
Sold
H 17.13 in W 41.93 in D 17.92 in
Lovely Hardwood Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Cocktail Table
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fine Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London. A good looking well made and decorative table, its one of the ...
Brass
Sold
H 15.95 in W 41.93 in D 17.92 in
French Polished Hardwood Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Table
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fine, fully restored, French polished, Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London A good looking well made and ...
Brass
Sold
H 15.95 in W 41.93 in D 17.92 in
Fully Restored Hardwood Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Table
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fine, fully restored, French polished, Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London A good looking well made and ...
Brass
Sold
H 17.13 in W 42.13 in D 18.12 in
Vintage Hardwood Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Cocktail Table
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London A good looking well ma...
Brass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 48.04 in D 23.04 in
BRADLEY FURNITURE BURR YEW & ELM BRASS MiLITARY CAMPAIGN 3 DRAWER COFFEE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this vintage collectible Burr Yew & Elm wood and Brass Bradley Furniture Military Campaign three drawer coff...
Brass
Sold
H 18.12 in W 36.03 in D 17.92 in
Vintage Military Campaign Hardwood & Green Leather Campaign Coffee Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage military campaign coffee table with green leather top. A good looking ...
Brass
Sold
H 16.15 in W 48.04 in D 23.04 in
Bradley Furniture Burr Yew Wood Brass Military Campaign 3 Drawer Coffee Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this vintage collectable Burr Yew wood and Brass Bradley Furniture Military Campaign three drawer coffee table This piece was made by Bradley fu...
Brass
Sold
H 17.72 in W 45.08 in D 25.99 in
Stunning Large Eight Drawer Am Est 1968 Military Campaign Coffee Table Must See
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this large AM Est 1968 by Air by Sea mahogany and brass Military Campaign eight drawer, double sided coffee table A very good looking and well made military table...
Brass
Sold
H 19.1 in W 53.94 in D 25.01 in
Large Mahogany Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Cocktail Table
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fine, very large Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London A good looking well made and decorative table, its ...
Brass
Sold
H 16.93 in W 41.93 in D 17.92 in
Fine Hardwood Kennedy Harrods London Military Campaign Coffee Cocktail Table
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this fine Kennedy Military Campaign coffee table retailed through Harrods London A good looking well made and decorative table, its one of the n...
Brass
Sold
H 32.09 in W 51.19 in L 32.09 in
1 of 2 Hardwood Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Coffee Table Internal Storage
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 2 stunning solid mahogany Military Campaign coffee tables with internal storage made by REH Kennedy and retailed through Harrods London Thi...
Hardwood
Sold
H 29.73 in W 45.28 in L 29.73 in
Stunning Vintage Military Campaign Mahogany Console Table with Twin Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Military Campaign style console table with single drawer Made from solid mahogany and with bronzed metal hardware. We hav...
Mahogany