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.
$2,843 / item
Modern Campaign-Style Console
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern campaign-style console table with an embossed leather top. This three-drawer console is accented with brass campaign-style hardware and sits on a metal base. Dimensions:...
Metal
Vintage 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 a...
Brass
$1,871Sale Price|25% Off
H 28.25 in W 51.75 in D 17 in
Modern Console Sofa Table Travertine & Brass Plate with Glass Top Style Artedi
By Artedi
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning modern travertine base sofa or console table with asymmetrical rectangular tubes and new ½ inch beveled rectangular glass top in the style of Artedi. Beautiful condition, ke...
Travertine, Metal, Brass
$673 / set
H 27.56 in W 16.93 in D 11.42 in
Set of Three Antique Victorian Vintage Chinoiserie Ebonised Nest of Side Tables
Located in Sale, GB
- A beautiful set of three chinoiserie nest of tables with carved claw feet, circa 1890. - Intricate and delicate construction, gold leaf d...
Wood, Lacquer
Clean Lined Modern Brass Console Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern console or sofa table, American, circa 1980s. This table is a versatile size and can be used as a console table, sofa table, desk, or vanity.
Metal, Brass
$16,700
H 32 in W 43 in D 15.75 in
French Mid-Century Modern Style Hand-Hammered Iron Console, Manner of Giacometti
Located in New York, NY
Elegant modern craftsman console / sofa table in hand-hammered iron in the manner of Diego Giacometti. The piece has a brutalist, yet refined sensibility with its flared sabots, neoc...
Wrought Iron
$1,425Sale Price|25% Off
H 26.5 in W 61 in D 14 in
John Vesey Style Mid-Century Modern Brass Chrome & Glass Console Table, 1970s
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Mid-Century Modern mixed metal brass and chromed steel console sofa table in the style of John Vesey and Maison Jansen. Removable clear beveled glass top. Coordinating coffee table a...
Brass, Chrome
Geometric Memphis Style Plaster Console Table
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Sculptural entry console table with a triangular form base and a textural cream tone plaster finish.
Plaster, Wood
Karl Springer Style Sculptural Console Sofa Table
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 ...
Resin
Phillip Modern Walnut Console or Entryway Table
Located in Baltimore City, MD
Phillip console by Crump and Kwash Solid wood case with continuous waterfall grain / blackened steel pulls and base / hand shaped walnut feet / natural oil finish / soft close drawers...
Wood, Maple, Oak, Walnut
Lovely Campaign Style Nest Of Three Tables
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Crawley, GB
Stunning antique military campaign style nest of three tables in mahogany and brass , made in England between 1950-1960 with brass corners and inlaid brass plaque in amazing conditio...
Brass
Mid-Century Style Marble-Top Console Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique marble-top console table features a marble top fitted in hardwood frame. Unique vintage style console table perfect for use in a variety of settings as a hallway, entrywa...
Marble
$971Sale Price|25% Off
H 27.25 in W 52 in D 16 in
Modern Chrome Rectangle Console Sofa Table Glass Top Style Pace or Karl Springer
By Pace Collection, Karl Springer
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning modern chrome rectangle console table or sofa table with glass top in the style of Pace or Karl Springer. Gorgeous vintage condition with wear consistent with age and the ch...
Chrome
Antique Oriental Hardwood Nest of Coffee Tables
Located in Bedfordshire, GB
A Very Good Quality Mid 19th Century Nest of Four Oriental Hardwood Coffee Tables, Having Well Figured Panelled Tops, Retaining Good Rich Colour Throughout, Over Attractive Carved An...
Hardwood
Brutalist Spanish Iron and Tile Coffee Table - circa 1920s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Brutalist Spanish Iron and Tile Coffee Table - circa 1920s Wear consistent with age and use Brutalist - Natural decoration - Vintage Measu...
Metal
Sold
H 27.5 in W 45 in D 15 in
Vintage Henredon Campaign Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Cane Sofa Console Table
By Henredon
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning Late 20th Century Henredon Campaign or Hollywood Regency style faux bamboo & cane sofa table. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will h...
Cane, Wood
Vintage Harrods London R.E.H Kennedy Military Campaign Cabinet
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Den Haag, NL
Stunning solid Mahogany end table Vintage Harrods London R.E.H Kennedy Military Campaign cabinet, comes with Three drawers one pull out tray. ...
Mahogany
Sold
H 28.5 in W 55.5 in D 17.5 in
Hollywood Regency Campaign Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Cane & Glass Top Sofa Table
By Baker Furniture Company, Erwin Lambeth
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Hollywood Regency, Campaign, and/or Chinoiserie style faux bamboo, cane, and glass top console or sofa table. Comprised of a dark stained wood frame, silver and brass tone accents, rattan wrappings, cane bottom shelf, faux bamboo look designs, and rectangle segmented glass top inserts. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There were some light spots in the rattan wraps that have been touched up. In addition this table has been disassembled, cleaned, and tightened. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, late 20th century. Additional Comments: Although not original to the tables, we feel as though the cane bottom shelf would benefit from glass on top on its caning for a better item placement surface. We can supply that glass in clear glass if desired. What an absolutely fantastic sofa table!! This is a campaign style faux bamboo and cane rectangle segmented sofa...
Faux Bamboo, Cane, Glass, Wood
Mahogany Campaign Style Game Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century campaign style game table of mahogany with a trestle base and a pair of extending leaves. The table has an inset panel opening to a storage compartment for game pieces and has the original brass fittings. The narrow drop leaf table...
Brass