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.
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Zabihi Collection Turkish Hereke Rug
Located in New York, NY
A one of a kind small finely woven turkish rug. We can also see this piece be used as a wall covering. 4'3" x 5'10"
Wool
Vintage World Map Mirror Based on the Original by Johnson 1882 Military Campaign
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique style pictorial plan map of the globe based on the original by Johnson in 1882 This is a very interesting and decorative pie...
Mirror
Antique Turkoman Asmalyk Camel Trapping Textile Wall Hanging
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare Turkoman hand-knotted decorative asmalyk which is a camel trapping used in weddings. Measures: 31 inches tall to end of tassels. See other measurem...
Wool
handmade Silk Hereke Rug, Turkey, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Exquisite design and quality workmanship silk Hereke rug - a true masterpiece that will elevate the decor of any space. This rug has been hand-knotted with great care and precision t...
Silk
$540Sale Price|40% Off
H 10.24 in W 17.6 in D 0 in
Very Decorative Original Antique Map of the World, Published in France in c.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'L'Ancien Monde Et Le Nouveau en Deux Hemispheres' - Double hemisphere map of the World, showing the contemporary geographical...
Paper
Vintage Turkish Silk Hereke Rug with Garden of Paradise Tree of Life Design
Located in Dallas, TX
79160 Vintage Turkish Silk Hereke Rug, 03'04 x 05'03. This hand-knotted vintage Turkish silk Hereke rug unveils a vivid pictorial scene, a magnificent Garden of Paradise woven into its very fibers. The Hereke rug's design is a lush tableau, where nature thrives in every corner. At the heart of the composition lies the revered Tree of Life, its roots deep in the earth, its branches reaching to the heavens, surrounded by an array of life in motion—birds, animals, and blossoms—all painted with the delicate brushstrokes of silk. The rich pinks, reds, and soft golds of the field create an ethereal glow, as though the garden itself has been bathed in the first rays of dawn. Each section of the rug feels like a living scene from an ancient fable, where the earth is fertile and alive with movement. In the foreground, gracefully depicted deer and rabbits wander among the trees, their soft fur and gentle presence inviting peace and tranquility. In the background, birds with their vibrant plumage take flight, filling the scene with a sense of freedom and vitality. The interplay of nature’s creatures—feline and winged, terrestrial and celestial—speaks to the balance of life, captured in the woven artistry of Turkish silk. The elegant design weaves seamlessly into the Tree of Life motif, a symbol of eternal growth and renewal, revered across cultures for its deep spiritual meaning. The trees bloom with abundant blossoms, their pink flowers echoing the natural beauty surrounding them. With each knot, this Hereke rug conjures the timeless beauty of the garden as a reflection of paradise...
Silk
$2,659
H 40 in W 26 in D 0.2 in
Vintage Turkish Silk Hereke Rug, Timeless Allure Meets Islamic Elegance
Located in Dallas, TX
78734 Vintage Turkish Silk Hereke Rug, 02'02 x 03'04. Introducing an exceptional masterpiece of cultural distinction, this one-of-a-kind hand-knotted silk vintage Turkish Hereke rug ...
Silk
Antique Biblical Adam and Eve Scene Turkish Hereke Silk Rug.7 ft x 5 ft
Located in New York, NY
Fine Biblical Scene Turkish Pictorial Antique Silk Rug That Depicts The Story of The Banishment From The Garden Of Eden, Country of Origin / Rug Type:...
Silk
World Relief Map
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large world relief map. Measures: Width 232 cm. Height 158 cm.
Acrylic
Original Antique Map of The World by Dower, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Nice map of the World Drawn and engraved by J.Dower Published by Orr & Smith. C.1835 Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
$5,475
H 63 in W 41 in D 0.23 in
1920's Turkish Silk Hereke Tree of Life Carpet with Ottoman Empire Style
Located in Dallas, TX
78665 Antique Turkish Silk Hereke Prayer Rug, 03'05 x 05'03. An extraordinary masterpiece of cultural distinction and refined artistry, this hand-knotted antique Turkish silk Hereke ...
Silk
Vintage Handmade Turkish Rug Christmas Stocking
Located in Houston, TX
Handmade Vintage from the 1960s Materials: wool, cotton Sustainable, upcycled Turkish rug Christmas stocking made from hand-woven rug fragments. Width: 13 inches Height: 17 inches ...
Wool, Cotton
$5,996Sale Price|25% Off
W 36 in L 54 in
Antique Turkish Hereke Oriental Rug with Weaver's Mark, in Small Size, Silk Pile
Located in New York, NY
An antique Turkish silk Hereke oriental rug, size 4'6 H x 3'0 W, circa 1920. This fine hand-knotted carpet features a lustrous short silk pile with a vase design at one end of the bl...
Wool, Silk
Large Original Antique Map of The Greek Islands. 1894
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Superb Antique map of The Greek Islands Published Edward Stanford, Charing Cross, London 1894 Original colour Good condition Unframed. Free shipping
Paper
Zabihi Collection Worn Green Turkish Hereke Rug
Located in New York, NY
a late 19th-century Turkish Hereke worn rug in moss green and raspberry tones Details rug no. 31621 size 5' 2" x 8' 1" (157 x 246 cm)
Wool
Set of 12 Original Antique Military Costume Prints, circa 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 12 military costume prints. Published by The Connoisseur Publishing Company, circa 1900 Unframed. The measurement giv...
Paper
1980s Apple Framed and Signed Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Plainview, NY
An oil on canvas painting depicting a wicker basket full of apples. The piece was made in the 1980s and is beautifully framed in a copper tone painted wood frame. The painting is sig...
Canvas, Paint
1980s Apple Framed and Signed Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Plainview, NY
An oil on canvas painting depicting a wicker basket full of apples. The piece was made in the 1980s and is beautifully framed in a copper tone painted wood frame. The painting is sig...
Canvas, Paint
Sold
H 22.05 in W 25.6 in D 0.99 in
World Map Silver Leaf Print Based on Original Willem Blaeu Wall Map 1571-1638
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Antique style pictorial plan map of the globe based on the original Willem Blaeu 1571-1638 engraved in silver leaf foil This is a v...
Silver Leaf
Sold
H 21.66 in W 25.2 in D 0.79 in
World Map Silver Leaf Print Based on the Original Johnson 1882 Military Campaign
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique style pictorial plan map of the globe based on the original by Johnson in 1882 engraved in silver leaf foil I have a few va...
Silver Leaf