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
$3,718Sale Price|20% Off
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
French Coastal Scene with Figures and Horse, Oil on Panel Signed Aubert, circa 1
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Charming French coastal scene depicting figures gathered beside a white horse on the shoreline, with fishing boats in the distance and a rocky cliff rising to the right. The painting...
Stucco, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
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
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
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
$529
H 16.54 in W 20.48 in D 1.19 in
Painting of a boat scene, oil on panel, signed, France, early 20th century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Early 20th-century French painting, oil on panel, depicting a lively riverside scene. The composition features a village with southern-style architecture, bordered by calm waters whe...
Wood, Paint
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
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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.5 in W 19.25 in D 1.25 in
Oil On Board Painting Of A Maine Coastal Scene Signed By Mo Henneman C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
82938-FW Antique Oil On Board Painting Of A Maine Coastal Scene By Mo Henneman, Signed, Framed, C1920 Measures - 15.5"H x 19.25"W x 1.25"D
Wood
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
$1,890
H 34.5 in W 23 in D 2.5 in
Original Oil on Panel Painting "Queen Victoria's Horse Guard" signed by Olivier
Located in Round Top, TX
Original oil on panel painting titled, "Queen Victoria's Horse Guard" by French historical and portrait painter Olivier Pichat (1823-1912). The mounted officer of the British Househo...
Wood, Paint
English Impressionist Coastal Seaside Scene Oil Painting Signed
Located in Nottingham, GB
This charming oil on board depicts an intimate family moment unfolding on a sunlit British beach. In the foreground, an adult bends attentively towards two children engrossed in thei...
Paint
Antique Horse Print "The Stone Faceder" Signed by Snaffles, 1934
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This is a hand-colored, remarked and signed Charles Johnson Payne lithographic print, entitle: The Stone Faceder. The border area of the art is sign by the artist using his known pseudonym - Snaffles. The print depicts equestrian style riding in the Irish countryside. The art also features a hand-drawn fox running through brush leading one to believe this is an Irish fox hunting print. Born January 17, 1884 at Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, Charlie was the fourth of a boot-maker’s eight children and from his youth developed a passion for all things military. He tried to enlist in the army to fight in the Boer war, but was rejected on the grounds that he was too young. Eventually, he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery at the age of 18 as a gunner...
Paper
$1,150
H 12 in W 14 in D 1.5 in
Charming Dutch School, Oil Painting On Board COastal Scene with Windmill
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Oil Painting, Dutch School (20th Century) Oil on Board. A coastal scene with boat, windmill and figure, initialed at the lower right. The signature, illegible, framed in a beautiful...
Giltwood, Masonite, Paint
$3,160Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.75 in W 66 in D 4.5 in
“The Odalisques” 19th Century Orientalist Oil on Canvas, Signed Raupp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
“The Odalisques” 19th Century Orientalist Oil on Canvas, Signed Raupp An exquisite 19th-century European Orientalist oil painting on canvas, ...
Wood
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