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.
Campaign Style Pair of Nightstands, Wood and Brass w/ Writing Slide, Italy 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Refined and rare pair of Italian Campaign Style nightstands or side tables in mahogany and solid brass, produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully original and in excellent vintage c...
Metal, Brass
British Campaign Officer's Chest on Stand as a Side Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
A handsome satinwood and ebony British Campaign officer's chest on a custom made stand, also in satinwood and ebony. These boxes were used by officers to transport their personal ef...
Ebony, Satinwood
Vintage Brass and Mahogany Chest on Stand Side Table
Located in Charleston, SC
A mahogany campaign style box on stand, The box with brass corners and handles, with attached parson style brass base. The finish in excellent condition. 18 inches high, 21 inches wide, 12 inches...
Brass
$1,396Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Mid Century Teak Campaign Style Cubical Side Tables Chests
Located in Germantown, MD
A very unique Pair of Mid Century Teak Campaign Style Cubical Side Tables Chests. Measure 17" in width, 17" in depth and stand 17" tall.
Wood
Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Small Campaign Style Trunk Chest on Brass Base Accent Side Table. Item features brass base, removable wooden trunk with distressed finish, nice smaller size, very nice vintag...
Brass
Pair of Mahogany Military Campaign Chests on Stands or Tables
Located in Dallas, TX
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of modern military campaign chests mounted on custom stands, circa 1970s. Incredible style, craftsmanship and attention to detai...
Brass
$1,496Sale Price|25% Off
Rattan Campaign Ficks Reed Far Horizons End Table W/Tile Top by John Wisner
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome vintage rattan Campaign Style Ficks Reed Far Horizons Collection end table with tile top designed by John Wisner. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The tile has been caulked and it has a fresh coat of Danish oil. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. NOTE: If you love this rattan Ficks Reed Far Horizons Collection by John Wisner end table. NOTE: Shipping is possible via parcel which may reduce shipping costs. Exotic, Incredible, and Ficks Reed!!! This is a fabulous rectangular end table by John Wisner for Ficks Reed. It is comprised of a stout rattan base, and it features a wonderful white tile top including three tiles with black painted Asian designs of fans and symbols… it’s absolutely BEAUTIFUL!! This end table is from Ficks Reed’s Far Horizons collection by John Wisner which was introduced in 1954. It is designed with sturdy and stylish crossbars with rattan ties on the corners on all four sides of the coffee table. And the design of this awesome Campaign style end table is classic allowing it to work with many decor aesthetics and styles from traditional to mid-century modern. It will be wonderful in your living room next to a lounge chair or in the family room aside a comfortable chaise or loveseat. Or, maybe on its own in an entry or hallway adorned with foliage. The Ficks Reed Furniture Company was originally established by Louis Ficks as the National Carriage and Reed Company in 1885. For over 125 years they built their reputation manufacturing high quality furniture using wicker...
Ceramic, Rattan
Pair of Raffia Grasscloth Campaign Style Hat Trunk Boxes
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Gorgeous pair of mahogany hat trunk cube shaped storage boxes or side tables featuring a raffia grasscloth clad exterior. The lidded trunks have decorative metal studded borders and ...
Metal, Nickel
McGuire Rattan Oak Campaign Style Folding Drink Table
By McGuire
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare organic modern campaign style folding drinks table crafted by McGuire artisans in California. The table features a thick pole rattan X frame that features an open fretwork desig...
Brass
Baker Furniture Campaign Rattan and Leather Trunk Side Tables, Pair
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Campaign style rattan and leather trunk side tables By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, Late 20th Century Each measures: 18.63"W x 18.5"D x 19.25...
Brass
$8,400 / set
Pair of Campaign Leather Top Tables or Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of English tables crafted in mahogany with dark green leather tops having oval brass medallions on an octagon case with four drawers having brass campaign hardware...
Brass
Campaign Style Bronze and Steel Side Table with Slate Top
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A finely crafted 1980s side table that merges the crisp geometry of campaign furniture with the refinement of Maison Jansen and the modernist glamour of John Vesey. The steel base is...
Slate, Bronze, Steel
One Drawer End or Side Table Oxford Square by Drexel
By Drexel
Located in New York, NY
From one of the most stylish line of furniture produced by Drexel, this Oxford square end, or side table is in original, clean and ready to use condition. The table has an open storage space (9.75 in H) over one large drawer. The pecan wood case features the signature faux inlay design, and brass colored metal corners and recessed bail style drawer pull, on bun style feet. 1970's mod meets classic campaign style, equals Drexel Oxford Square...
Metal
STUNNING PAIR OF TWO TIER MILITARY CAMPAIGN SiDE END TABLES LARGE SINGLE DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Military Campaign side tables with full sized single drawers and two tiers Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. A good looking and well-made pair, these are absolutely iconic and highly collectable, this is the only pair I...
Brass
$1,316 / item
English Campaign Decorative Box on Stand
Located in Westwood, NJ
An English Campaign style decorative box on stand, this smaller wood box is beautifully detailed with brass tacks and hardware with leather accents. T...
Wood
English Campaign Yew Wood 1920s Side Table with Brass Accents and Straight Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign yew wood side table from circa 1920 with brass accents and straight legs. This English Campaign yew wood side table, dating back to circa 1920, encapsulates the r...
Brass
19th century Campaign Table
By Scott & Co. 1
Located in Glasgow, GB
A very fine example of a late 19th century Campaign table in speciemen wood. These tables are versatile and and have a variety of uses . Th...
Wood
Campaign Style Nightstands in Wood and Brass with Writing Slide, Italy 1950
Located in Roma, IT
Refined and rare Italian Campaign Style nightstand or side table in mahogany and solid brass, produced in Italy during the 1950s. Fully original and in excellent vintage condition, ...
Metal, Brass
$945Sale Price|30% Off
MidCentury Henredon Mahogany Canpaign Single Drawer Side Table with Brass Accent
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century Henredon Mahogany Canpaign Style Single Drawer Side Table with Brass Accents. .Measures 24" in width, 24" in depth, 22.5" in height.
Mahogany
$1,543Sale Price|20% Off
Side Table "the Clermont Baltimore 1801" Champain Style
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful side table mahogany frame comes with Brass inlay champaign style One drawer. with inset drop handles. Signed The Clermount Baltimore 1801 This table has some history, i...
Mahogany
Brass Pedestal Side Table Attrib. Mastercraft
Located in New York, NY
A substantial brass pedestal end/side/drinks table attributed to Mastercraft Furniture Co., circa late-20th century. This all brass able is rectangular with round medallion front (on...
Brass
$614Sale Price / set|58% Off
Vintage Traditional Solid Red Oak Parsons Tables, a Pair
Located in Germantown, MD
Authentic handmade solid oak side tables. The Parsons tables have the same thickness to both top and legs and is a classic design. Offered in solid oak throughout with a square br...
Oak
$596Sale Price|25% Off
Campaign Style Square Side Table White Laminate Top by Hickory Furniture Mfg
By Hickory Manufacturing Company
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome and useful small square campaign style side, end, or occasional table with a white laminate top made by Hickory Furniture Manufacturing. It is in wonderful vintage condition...
Brass
Burl Walnut and Walnut Writing Slope on Stand
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Burled walnut and walnut writing slope with brass mounts, made in 1870, on a late 20th century lacquered stand. The burled walnut top with a central brass inlaid presentation plaque ...
Brass
Rare Lovely Coffee & Side Table Nest of Tables Military Campaign with World Maps
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely nest of three side tables with world maps detailing A nice decorative set, each one has a good quality print of a world map. They ar...
Brass
Classic and Versatile Campaign Style Mahogany Side or Dining Table
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A nifty versatile beautifully crafted Campaign style mahogany table by Benjamin Ferber that opens to become a side table or small dining table having a bar underneath that clasps aro...
Mahogany
19th Century Mahogany Campaign Table
Located in London, GB
An early 19th century mahogany campaign table. The circular hinged top raised on shaped square section legs joined by stretchers. Condition: S...
Brass
English Midcentury Campaign Style Side Table with Parquet Top and Brass Braces
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Campaign style walnut side table from the mid 20th century, with parquet style top, brass accents and straight legs. Created in England during the midcentury period, this ...
Brass
Stunning All Military Campaign Side Table with Single Drawer Part of Suite
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this nicely made military campaign style tall side table with single drawer which is part of a suite This piece is part of an office suite, I ha...
Brass
LOVELY HARRODS LONDON KENNEDY MILITARY CAMPAIGN HIGH SiDE END TABLE HARDWOOD
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 very nicely made Military campaign coffee or cocktail table made by Kennedy and retailed through Harrod...
Brass
Nest of Coffee & Side Tables Military Campaign with World Maps
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning campaign decorative world map nest of tables. A well-made solid table, each table has a detailed map of the world. Lightly res...
Brass