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
$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
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
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
French Orientalist Oil on Canvas, Landscape by Narcisse Berchère
Located in Valladolid, ES
An exceptional signed oil on canvas from the workshop or circle of Narcisse Berchère, a renowned French artist. In it, the artist masterfully captures the tranquil beauty of the land...
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
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
Italian Orientalist Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Cypress, CA
Italian orientalist oil on canvas painting. 20th century. The fine oil painting depicting an orientalist woman dressed in traditional garments w...
Canvas, 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...
Silk
Oil on Canvas, Orientalist Scene, Signed Louis Saphier
Located in Houston, TX
Oil on canvas, orientalist scene, signed Louis Saphier. This lovely painting was executed around 1920. Louis Saphier was active and lived in both New Yor...
Canvas, Wood
French Neoclassical Architectural Landscape, Oil on Canvas
Located in Montreal, Quebec
French neoclassical Architectural landscape, oil on canvas In the manner of the Grand Tour, exceptionnal, glowing painting. Beautiful size, scale and quality of the subject an...
Wood, Giltwood, Canvas
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
Oil On Canvas Mountain Landscape By Ernest Henry Pohl
Located in Essex, MA
Image 7.75 x 14. Artist lived from 1874-1956. Likely a California scene. Trees and mountains. Signed lower right. Known for his desert landscapes he and his wife founded the La Jolla...
Canvas, Wood
$552Sale 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
Oil on Canvas Landscape by Charles Leslie, 1878
By Charles Leslie
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Century oil on canvas landscape by Charles Leslie, a great English painter in the Victorian era. It is framed with a beautiful giltwood fram...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
19th Century Orientalist Oil on Canvas Painting
Located in Palm Beach, FL
German Orientalist oil on canvas painting of a street scene. Long shadows suggesting start of the day, complete with merchants, travelers, ar...
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
$325Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.08 in W 10.71 in D 0.02 in
Antique Chromolithograph of Mambrino, Grey Thoroughbred Racehorse
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Mambrino bred by Lord Grosvenor'. Antique print of Mambrino, grey thoroughbred racehorse, foaled in 1768, bred by John Atkinson of Scholes at whose death became the property of Richard Grosvenor...
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
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
Sold
H 2 in W 16 in D 4 in
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, ...
Walnut
Sold
H 13 in W 8.67 in D 0.79 in
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
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...
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...
Brass
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...
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...
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