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Campaign Wall Decorations

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.

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Style: Campaign
Signed Snaffles WW I Naval Print. Gentlemen Unafraid.
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...
Category

Early 20th Century British Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

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)
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

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
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

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"
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

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...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Mirror

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Chromolithograph Vanity Fair Caricature Print 'New York Herald'
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Chromolithograph titled 'New York Herald'. Lithograph of James Gordon Bennett Jr. publisher of the New York Herald, founded by his father, James Gordon ...
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Late 19th Century Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

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Tibetan Tiger Rug Green Nepal Wool Gold Silk Hand Knotted Djoharian Collection
Located in Lohr, Bavaria, DE
Tibetan Tiger Rug Green Wool Gold Silk by Djoharian Collection, hand knotted in Nepal. This traditional Tiger rug design is typically found on antique...
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2010s Nepalese Campaign Wall Decorations

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Wool, Silk

K. Trumpf, Limited Edition Signed Print Titled Levade
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Print With Lippezaner Horses And Riders In Vienna Titled "Levade" lower left. Pencil signed lower right, numbered 175/299 lower left. Finely framed in gilt wood. sight 17 x 22 3/4", ...
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20th Century Campaign Wall Decorations

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Paper, Glass, Wood

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...
Category

20th Century Turkish Campaign Wall Decorations

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Silk

Set of 8 Large Original Antique Prints of Gentlemen in Military Costume. 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of military gentlemen in full dress Chromolithographs Published C.1900 Unframed. Free shipping
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique Chromolithograph of Prussian Coats of Arms, 1897
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Preussische Provinzwappen'. Original antique chromolithograph of Prussian Coats of Arms. This print originates from Vol...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

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Paper

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Campaign Wall Decorations

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Wool, Cotton

Large Original Vintage Map of The World, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of The World Original color. Good condition / minor foxing Published by Alexander Gross Unframed.
Category

1920s English Vintage Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Large Original Vintage Map of Egypt, circa 1920
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of Egypt Unframed Original color By John Bartholomew and Co. Edinburgh Geographical Institute Published, circa 1920 Free shipping.  
Category

1920s British Vintage Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Large Original Antique Map of the World, Fullarton, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great map of the World. From the celebrated Royal Illustrated Atlas Lithograph. Original color. Published by Fullarton, Edinburgh, circa 1870. Unframed.
Category

1870s Scottish Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

19th c. Framed English Chromolithograph Fern
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful collection of four chromolithographs from the 19th c. by Francis George Heath. Archival quality framing with archival matte front and back, protecting the original, antiq...
Category

19th Century English Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

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Glass, Wood, Paper

19th c. Framed English Chromolithograph Fern
19th c. Framed English Chromolithograph Fern
H 19.13 in W 15.13 in D 1.13 in
Framed Antique Chromolithograph - Uffizi Gallery Ceiling, Florence, Italy
Located in Morristown, NJ
Antique German architecture print on heavy paper showing an illustration of a portion of a ceiling painting in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, 16th centur...
Category

1890s German Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Previously Available Items
A Campaign Style 20 Hook Wall Hanging Key Cupboard A glass fronted key cupboar
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Campaign Style 20 Hook Wall Hanging Key Cupboard A glass fronted key cupboard lined in green base with 12 hooks, the cupboard can be wall hung The cabinet is in good condition, ...
Category

1960s Vintage Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Walnut

Italian Oil painting of countryside landscape by Antonio De Simone from 1800
Located in Milano, MI
Oil painting on panel depicting a lady in a countryside landscape, made by Antonio De Simone in 1800 Ø cm 22 h cm 33
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

19th Century Teak and Brass Campaign Bookshelves
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th Century Teak and Brass Campaign Bookshelves. Campaign furniture was designed to be collapsable and portable for military and travel use. This examp...
Category

1880s British Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Teak Shelves, circa 1870
Located in Sherborne, GB
Victorian Campaign shelves, in teak circa 1870. The three shelves are supported with brass cylinder columns, finishing with a brass final sitting on brass bun feet. Being Campaign fu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Brass

Antique Campaign Teak Shelves, circa 1870
Antique Campaign Teak Shelves, circa 1870
H 22.45 in W 29.93 in D 6.7 in
Dark Pine Wall Hanging Display Cabinet
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Dark pine wall hanging display cabinet A very useful piece of early 20th century shop display, this small glass fronted wall hanging cu...
Category

Early 20th Century Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Pine

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...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

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...
Category

1980s American Vintage Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

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...
Category

1980s American Vintage Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Paint

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...
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20th Century English Campaign Wall Decorations

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Silver Leaf

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...
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20th Century English Campaign Wall Decorations

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Silver Leaf

Vintage Painting with White Horse
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Evidently someone has had his horses painted, but only their interesting expression. O/4022.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Vintage Painting with White Horse
Vintage Painting with White Horse
H 21.26 in W 18.12 in D 0.79 in
Vintage Italian Painting with Bay Horse
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Evidently someone has had his horses painted, but only their expression, very interesting - There is also another one published, white, of the same painter. Interesting price for th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Campaign Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Vintage Italian Painting with Bay Horse
Vintage Italian Painting with Bay Horse
H 21.26 in W 15.36 in D 0.79 in

Campaign wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign wall decorations 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 wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles, rugs and carpets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Antonio de Simone, and Henry Ogden . 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50 and tops out at $3,600 while the average work can sell for $1,194.

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