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.
H.A. Ogden U.S. Military Uniforms - 11 Chromolithographs
By Henry Ogden
Located in Savannah, GA
A set of 11 H.A. Ogden chromolithographs depicting U.S. Military uniforms in period frames, circa 1908. 14 by 17 ½ inches; ¾ inches deep
Glass, Wood, Paper
Signed Snaffles WW I Naval Print. Gentlemen Unafraid.
By Charles "Snaffles" Johnson Payne
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Snaffles WW I Naval print "Gentlemen Unafraid". A coloured Snaffles lithograph entitled "Gentlemen Unafraid" showing sailors in the bow of a boat "Bedelia...
Paper
Antique Print of a Naval Vessel by Mortier '1695'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Vaisseau du premier rang portant pavillon d'Admiral'. Beautiful copper engraving of a naval vessel. From Mortier's famous maritime Atlas "Neptune François". Eng...
Paper
$29,500
H 43.33 in W 28.5 in D 1 in
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, 1975, 73/125
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Andy Warhol – Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975 Original color screenprint on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen portfolio, 1975. Hand-si...
Paper
$89,000 / set
H 43.33 in W 28.5 in D 1 in
Andy Warhol , Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, (Set of Three), 1975
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Set of three original color screenprints on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen series, 1975. Each work is hand-signed, dated and n...
Paper
Original "1902-1907 Officers of the Staff Corps" by C. Ogden, 1908
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This colorful lithograph by H. A. Ogden was published in 1908 by Brigadier General J. B. Allshire. Originally published as a comprehensive series of U. S. military uniforms, this pri...
Paper
$495
H 22.5 in W 19.25 in D 1.25 in
1908 Artillery & Musician Infantry Uniforms by Ogden, Antique Chromolithograph
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This colorful lithograph by H. A. Ogden was published in 1908 by Brigadier General J. B. Allshire. Originally published as a comprehensive series of U. S. military uniforms, this pri...
Paper
$317
H 9.61 in W 7.68 in D 0.01 in
Original Antique Print of Roman Naval Battles and Warships by Bertuch, c. 1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Original Antique Print of Roman Naval Battles and Warships by Bertuch, c. 1800 Original antique hand-colored copper engraving illustrating ancient Roman naval spectacles and warships, published in Friedrich Justin Bertuch’s celebrated “Bilderbuch für Kinder” around 1800. The plate is titled “Alterthümer XIII / Antiquités XIII” and illustrates the extraordinary Roman practice of staging mock naval battles, known as naumachiae. Fig. 1 depicts a large purpose-built naumachia: an oval amphitheater surrounding a flooded arena in which several vessels engage in a simulated naval battle. Additional ships are shown approaching through the monumental entrance and waterway below. Such elaborate spectacles were among the most ambitious forms of public entertainment in ancient Rome. Figs. 2 and 3 show detailed side views of ancient oared warships, illustrating their construction, banks of oars, raised sterns and military equipment. The combination of classical architecture, naval history and finely drawn ancient vessels makes this an especially interesting plate from Bertuch’s series. The engraving is signed “J. H. Schmuzer” at lower right. Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) was a German publisher, writer and patron of the arts. His monumental “Bilderbuch für Kinder” (Picture Book for Children) was one of the great illustrated educational encyclopedias of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Published in Weimar from 1790 onward, it contained hundreds of engraved and hand-colored plates covering natural history, geography, science, technology, mythology, antiquity and costumes. An unusual and decorative early print combining ancient Roman history, architecture and maritime subjects. Creator: Friedrich Justin Bertuch (1747–1822) Engraver: J. H. Schmuzer Source: Bilderbuch für Kinder Plate: Alterthümer XIII / Antiquités XIII Place of Publication: Weimar, Germany Date of Manufacture: Circa 1800 Period: Early 19th Century Style: Neoclassical – In the Period of Medium: Original hand-colored copper engraving on paper Condition: Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Light age-related toning and occasional minor spotting. Minor marginal wear. Original hand coloring remains attractive. Please refer to the photographs for further details of condition. Please note: This is an original antique print from circa 1800, not a modern reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Framed images or interior views, if shown, are for presentation and inspiration only. Keywords: Roman naval battle, naumachia, Roman warship, ancient Roman ships, Roman galley...
Paper
French-British Naval Battle of Negapatam, India, c.1840
Located in Langweer, NL
Title: French-British Naval Battle of Negapatam, India, c. 1840 Original antique hand-colored steel engraving depicting the Battle of Negapatam, fought off the coast of India on 6 J...
Paper
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, 1975
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Andy Warhol – Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975 Original color screenprint on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen portfolio, 1975. Hand-si...
Paper
$650
H 17.75 in W 20.75 in D 0.5 in
Framed Print of 19th Century Italian Engraving, Naval Ship, Antique
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A charming reproduction print of a 19th century Italian engraving by Giuseppe Allezard, of a naval ship with 84 cannons bearing the Swedish flag of blue & gold cross. The text be...
Wood, Paper
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, 1975
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Andy Warhol – Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975 Original color screenprint on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen portfolio, 1975. Hand-si...
Paper
$1,013
H 14.77 in W 27.96 in
Antique Woodblock Print by Sino Japan War Naval Battle Haiyang Island, 1894
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Fantastic depiction of the naval Battle of Haiyang Island during the Sino-Japanese War. An explosion rocks a Chinese ship at right, severing the mast and sending enemy sailors tumbli...
Paper
Antique Print of Gentlemen's Watches by Streeter, '1898'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Gentlemen's Watches'. Original chromolithographic plate of gentlemen's watches. This print originates from 'Gems', a catalog containing fascinating essays on 31...
Paper
French Belle Époque Advertising Chromolithograph Pair
Located in Prato, Tuscany
An enchanting pair of French Belle Époque chromolithographs, originally distributed as refined advertising premiums by the maison A. Guenot, a chemist and preparer located at 38 Rue ...
Wood, Paper
Rare Antique Costume Print Showing Three Gentlemen from England, 1805
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique costume print titled 'Englaender'. This print depicts three Gentlemen from England. Originates from a rare costume book titled 'Sammlung von T...
Paper
$568
H 15.16 in W 21.07 in D 0.6 in
1900s Vintage Lithographic Print of the Naval Battle of Beziers, Oak Wood Frame
Located in Milan, IT
Lithographic print of the Naval Battle of Beziers on 10th July 1690, taken from the book Historical Gallery of Versailles 319bis. Skelton is the engraver. Original print by Victor Gilbert Théodore Gudin...
Paper
Set of 7 English Hand-Colored Botanical Auriculas Prints Gold Leaf Frames
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
These seven Antique Late 19th Century collection was one of many years of finding the right combination of Auriculas, all purchased at English markets and later framed in gold-leaf c...
Gold Leaf
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