Skip to main content

Campaign Tray Tables

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.

to
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
1
5
1
191
184
109
48
47
30
24
17
12
9
8
8
7
5
5
4
1
2
3
1
2
1
5
3
3
2
2
3
2
2
1
1
6
6
6
1
Style: Campaign
Vintage Faux Bamboo Octagonal Tray Table
Vintage Faux Bamboo Octagonal Tray Table

Vintage Faux Bamboo Octagonal Tray Table

Located in Bridgeport, CT

A very fashionable Table with a Deep Stained Turned Wood Faux Bamboo Base surmounted with a removable Octagonal Brass Framed Glass Tray Top. Condition: Please see detail photos. Va...

Category

20th Century Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Coaching Table
English 19th Century Coaching Table

English 19th Century Coaching Table

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

A handsome English circa 1880 coaching table. Hand-crafted in 19th century England of solid mahogany, this table stands on shaped X-form legs that feature three turned baluster stret...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Revertable Oak Coaching, Campaign 0r Butlers Table   A very clever design
Revertable Oak Coaching, Campaign 0r Butlers Table   A very clever design

Revertable Oak Coaching, Campaign 0r Butlers Table A very clever design

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Revertable Oak Coaching, Campaign 0r Butlers Table A very clever design and a good quality sturdy piece, the table legs fold out to make a perfect square, and they have a top slot ...

Category

1930s Vintage Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Oak

Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table
Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table

Vintage Steel and Brass Campaign Style Tray Table

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

This elegant vintage butler tray table features a removable glass top tray with a brass-toned metal frame, perfect for serving or display. Believed to be French. The folding metal ba...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

19th Century Original English Mahogany Campaign Folding Table with Brass Work
19th Century Original English Mahogany Campaign Folding Table with Brass Work

19th Century Original English Mahogany Campaign Folding Table with Brass Work

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Circa 1850's Rare, original folding Campaign table from England. Authentic patina in sturdy but time honoured condition. Original brass hardware. Exuding charm and character and y...

Category

1860s English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Stunning Maitland Smith Campaign Style Tray Table Bar
Stunning Maitland Smith Campaign Style Tray Table Bar

Stunning Maitland Smith Campaign Style Tray Table Bar

By Maitland Smith

Located in Hopewell, NJ

Handsome tray table bar having removeable tray from stand; campaign style with beautiful warm brown finish and leather wrapped joints. The tray has a fascinating surface with cheer...

Category

2010s Philippine Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Related Items
English 19th Century  Aesthetic Movement Butler's Tray
English 19th Century  Aesthetic Movement Butler's Tray

English 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Butler's Tray

Sold|$1,323

H 34.06 in W 28.94 in D 19.3 in

English 19th Century Aesthetic Movement Butler's Tray

Located in Southampton, GB

Carved Aesthetic Movement Butler's Tray. Removable tray sits on foldable legs. England, circa 1890. Height - 86.5 cm Width - 73.5 cm Depth - 49 cm Please message if any further inf...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century English Mahogany & Satinwood Etagere Tray Table
19th Century English Mahogany & Satinwood Etagere Tray Table

19th Century English Mahogany & Satinwood Etagere Tray Table

Located in London, GB

This is a truly exceptional antique English Edwardian mahogany and satinwood marquetry oval two tier 'etagere', in the manner of Edwards & Roberts, circa 1890 in date. Crafted from the best flame mahogany, note the wonderful grain to the wood and the beautifully inlaid decoration with musical trophies within scrolling foliage and kingwood crossbanding. Masterfully inlaid with Sheraton influences, this etagere has an elegant refined look. The removable glass bottomed tray can be used to serve drinks, etc. It is raised on elegant square section tapering outswept legs with a shaped cross stretcher. The craftsmanship and finish are second to none. THE BOTANICAL NAME FOR THE MAHOGANY THAT THIS ITEM IS MADE OF IS SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA AND THIS TYPE OF MAHOGANY IS NOT SUBJECT TO CITES REGULATION AND DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY RESTRICTED MATERIALS. Condition: In excellent condition having been beautifully cleaned and waxed in our workshops, please see photos for confirmation. Dimensions in cm: Height 84 x Width 89 x Depth 55 Dimensions in inches: Height 33.1 x Width 35.0 x Depth 21.7 Edwards & Roberts was founded in 1845, and had premises at 21 Wardour Street London. By the 1892 they occupied more than a dozen buildings in Wardour Street, where they continued to trade until the end of the century. They became one of the leading London cabinet makers and retailers working in a variety of styles, both modern and revivalist. Their business also involved retailing, adapting and restoring the finest antique furniture and there are many examples of their earlier furniture with later embellishments bearing their stamp. Edwards & Roberts specialised in marquetry, inlay and ormolu. Marquetry is decorative artistry where pieces of material (such as wood, pewter, or brass silver) of different colours are inserted into surface wood veneer to form intricate patterns such as scrolls or flowers. The technique of veneered marquetry had its inspiration in 16th century Florence. Marquetry elaborated upon Florentine techniques of inlaying solid marble slabs with designs formed of fitted marbles, jaspers and semi-precious stones. This work, called opere di commessi, has medieval parallels in Central Italian "Cosmati"-work of inlaid marble floors, altars and columns. The technique is known in English as pietra dura, for the "hardstones" used: onyx, jasper, cornelian, lapis lazuli and colored marbles. In Florence, the Chapel of the Medici at San Lorenzo is completely covered in a colored marble facing using this demanding jig-sawn technique. Techniques of wood marquetry were developed in Antwerp and other Flemish centers of luxury cabinet-making during the early 16th century. The craft was imported full-blown to France after the mid-seventeenth century, to create furniture of unprecedented luxury being made at the royal manufactory of the Gobelins, charged with providing furnishings to decorate Versailles and the other royal residences of Louis XIV. Early masters of French marquetry were the Fleming Pierre Golle and his son-in-law, André-Charles Boulle, who founded a dynasty of royal and Parisian cabinet-makers (ébénistes) and gave his name to a technique of marquetry employing brass with pewter in arabesque or intricately foliate designs. Etagère is a piece of light furniture which was extensively made in France during the latter part of the 18th century. It consists of a series of stages or shelves for the reception of ornaments or other small articles. Like the what-not it was very often cornerwise in shape, and the best Louis XVI examples in exotic woods are exceedingly graceful and elegant. In modern usage, an étagère is often used to refer specifically to a long-legged shelf unit that fits over a bathroom toilet...

Category

1890s English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table
19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table

19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table

$1,995

H 32.5 in W 27.5 in D 19.5 in

19th Century Mahogany Faux Bamboo Butler Tray Table

Located in Germantown, MD

A 19th Century George III style Mahogany butler Tray Table. This can may be used as two separate pieces as the base may be used as a stand alone table. Tray is 27.5" in width, 17" in...

Category

19th Century American Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Circa 1930s English Tray Top Table with Faux Bamboo Base
Circa 1930s English Tray Top Table with Faux Bamboo Base

Circa 1930s English Tray Top Table with Faux Bamboo Base

Located in Troy, MI

Found in England, this circa 1930s tray top table has a black and gilded faux bamboo base with an X-form stretcher. Removable tray top has a deep green painted finish with gilded pai...

Category

Early 20th Century English Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Wood

Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s
Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s

Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table, 1950s

Located in Manhasset, NY

Maison Jansen, Hollywood Regency, Faux Bamboo, Brass, Tray Top Table A chic bronze faux bamboo table, the tray top with handles raised on a folded base. Stamped Jansen Industria, Ar...

Category

1950s Argentine Vintage Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Bronze

1900's Faux Bamboo Folding Butler Tray
1900's Faux Bamboo Folding Butler Tray

1900's Faux Bamboo Folding Butler Tray

$1,250

H 31.25 in W 34.25 in D 21.75 in

1900's Faux Bamboo Folding Butler Tray

Located in Denton, TX

Faux Bamboo butler tray with ornate brass handles and folding stand. Circa 1900 made in England for garden parties and entertainment.

Category

Early 20th Century European Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Burlap, Oak

19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table
19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table

19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table

$2,350

H 37.75 in W 27 in D 17 in

19th Century English Mahogany Butlers Tray Table

Located in Montreal, QC

Mahogany folding butlers tray on stand tray has four folding sides with inset brass hinges. Supported on folding stand with decorative turned supports. The dimensions are with the ...

Category

1830s English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Folding Trays
Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Folding Trays

Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Folding Trays

$1,700 / set

H 19 in W 18 in D 12.25 in

Pair of Vintage Campaign Style Folding Trays

Located in Dallas, TX

This set of matching tables serving tray tables in Campaign styling. Made of walnut wood features a rectangular removable serving tray top with riveted handles, decorative brass deta...

Category

20th Century American Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

19th C Regency English Mahogany Adjustable Reading Writing Table
19th C Regency English Mahogany Adjustable Reading Writing Table

19th C Regency English Mahogany Adjustable Reading Writing Table

$3,013Sale Price|49% Off

H 27.25 in W 31.5 in D 19 in

19th C Regency English Mahogany Adjustable Reading Writing Table

Located in Savannah, GA

This handsome piece consists of two sections on a lifting ratchet, a fine mahogany Regency period reading/writing table featuring an adjustable top over a substantial base support. R...

Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Work Table
English 19th Century Work Table

English 19th Century Work Table

$5,995

H 32.13 in W 70.75 in D 40.88 in

English 19th Century Work Table

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

This stunning work table has a thick 1 ¾” thick pine top and would make a gorgeous kitchen island. Crafted from solid pine and oak, it remains incredibly sturdy and level. The brilli...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

English Butlers Table 19th Century from South Africa
English Butlers Table 19th Century from South Africa

English Butlers Table 19th Century from South Africa

$1,975 / item

H 32.75 in W 32.25 in D 22.25 in

English Butlers Table 19th Century from South Africa

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An English Butlers Tray Table. Acquired in Johannesburg, Africa. The table sits on a stand with straps of Ticking fabrics, which folds for easy storag...

Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Mahogany

Previously Available Items
Antique Military Campaign Style Tray Top Side Table
Antique Military Campaign Style Tray Top Side Table

Antique Military Campaign Style Tray Top Side Table

Sold

H 22.05 in W 24.02 in D 14.18 in

Antique Military Campaign Style Tray Top Side Table

Located in London, GB

A charming and extremely well made antique military campaign style tray top side table. This was made in England and it dates from around the 1950’s. The quality is superb, with sol...

Category

1950s British Vintage Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Georgian Mahogany Campaign Style Butlers Folding Tray Table Dry Bar
Vintage Georgian Mahogany Campaign Style Butlers Folding Tray Table Dry Bar

Vintage Georgian Mahogany Campaign Style Butlers Folding Tray Table Dry Bar

Located in Dayton, OH

20th Century Georgian Mahogany Campaign Style Butlers Table. Features an oval removable tray with folding edges for carrying over a stand. Dimensions: 35" x 48" x 38"h with gallery ...

Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Henredon Historic Natchez Mahogany Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Butlers Tray Table
Henredon Historic Natchez Mahogany Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Butlers Tray Table

Henredon Historic Natchez Mahogany Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Butlers Tray Table

By Henredon

Located in Centennial, CO

Perfect for the holidays is this stunning Henredon mahogany campaign style butler's tray table. The tray is removable and sits on a faux bamboo folding base, not only beautiful but s...

Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mahogany Scots Guards Campaign Folding Butlers Dry Bar Tray Table
Vintage Mahogany Scots Guards Campaign Folding Butlers Dry Bar Tray Table

Vintage Mahogany Scots Guards Campaign Folding Butlers Dry Bar Tray Table

Located in Dayton, OH

Vintage Scots Guard folding tray table. Made of mahogany featuring inlaid brass dovetail joinery with a central heraldic plaque or crest for the United Kingdom. British Shop...

Category

Late 20th Century Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Campaign-style tray table by Kipp Stewart
Campaign-style tray table by Kipp Stewart

Campaign-style tray table by Kipp Stewart

Sold

H 19.5 in W 20 in D 21 in

Campaign-style tray table by Kipp Stewart

By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall, Drexel

Located in Portland, OR

Mid century solid walnut campaign-style folding tray table. Turned wood finials and brass spacers add elegance. From the “Declaration” line designed by Stewart Macdougall & Kipp Stew...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Round Mahogany Tray Table
Round Mahogany Tray Table

Round Mahogany Tray Table

Sold

H 20.5 in Dm 29.5 in

Round Mahogany Tray Table

Located in New York, NY

The removable circular dished tray, supported by six incurved legs joined by X-form stretchers.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Elaborately Hand-Carved Solid Walnut Campaign Tray-Top Table, English, ca. 1890
Elaborately Hand-Carved Solid Walnut Campaign Tray-Top Table, English, ca. 1890

Elaborately Hand-Carved Solid Walnut Campaign Tray-Top Table, English, ca. 1890

Located in Banner Elk, NC

Elaborately hand-carved solid walnut campaign tray-top table, English, ca. 1890, with naturalistically carved cherries and leaves, either side with filigreed maple leaves. Originally...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Walnut

French Mahogany Folding Campaign Table by H.J Linton Paris
French Mahogany Folding Campaign Table by H.J Linton Paris

French Mahogany Folding Campaign Table by H.J Linton Paris

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

Rare Mahogany inlaid folding table by H.J Linton From Paris. Mid 19th century. The folding mechanisms functions perfectly.

Category

1860s French Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Party Butler Table with Removable Tray and Butterfly Top
Baker Furniture Party Butler Table with Removable Tray and Butterfly Top

Baker Furniture Party Butler Table with Removable Tray and Butterfly Top

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Southampton, NJ

1950's Baker Furniture Party Butler tray table with folding X-base constructed of Cherrywood. Two flush panel butterfly leaves unfold from the center on heavy brass hinges to create an 89" long surface supported by detachable reed form tapered brass capped legs with removable tray. Entire table folds for easy storage. An exceptional unusual French Campaign influenced style rarely seen in Baker party Butler...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Brass

Pair of Modernist Walnut Campaign Tables by Kipp Stewart
Pair of Modernist Walnut Campaign Tables by Kipp Stewart

Pair of Modernist Walnut Campaign Tables by Kipp Stewart

By Kipp Stewart & Stewart MacDougall

Located in Atlanta, GA

Pair of modernist walnut campaign tables, designed by Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall for Drexel, American, circa 1950s. Beautiful graining to the walnut throughout. They are a v...

Category

1950s American Vintage Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Walnut

Victorian Fiddleback Mahogany Campaign Coaching Table
Victorian Fiddleback Mahogany Campaign Coaching Table

Victorian Fiddleback Mahogany Campaign Coaching Table

Located in Essex, MA

Folding and rectangular when open, legs X-form when open.

Category

1850s English Antique Campaign Tray Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Campaign tray tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign tray tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage tray tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign tray tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 tray tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $875 and tops out at $1,261 while the average work can sell for $1,068.