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.
LOVELY PAiR OF BURR YEW WOOD GREEN LEATHER MILITARY CAMPAIGN NIGHTSTAND DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage Bevan Funnell Military Campaign side tables with drawers and green leather tops...
Brass
Late 19th Century British Officer's Campaign Bed with Original Storage Chest
Located in Stamford, CT
Late 19th century British Army officer's painted pine campaign chest containing original steel & brass campaign bed. Stand is modern as is bed canva...
Steel
Pair of Tall Slim Vintage Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage Oak & Brass Military Campaign side table sized drawers A truly stunning and well made pair, these are part of a se...
Brass
English Campaign Camphor Wood Hinged Trunk with Orig. Brass Side Handles, C 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English campaign camphor wood hinged trunk with a fitted interior removable shelf, flanking brass keyhole escutcheons, interior locks, and retains the original brass side mounted han...
Brass
$782Sale Price|40% Off
Lovely Vintage Meubles Gautier Made in France Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
By Meubles Gautier
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice chest of drawers by Meubles Gautier made in France in the military campaign style A decorative and functional chest of drawers, it is quite a shallow chest...
Brass
1 OF 2 EBONISED BLACK & BRASS MILITARY CAMPAIGN STYLE NIGHTSTAND SIDE END TABLEs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale 1 of 2 Ebonised with brass fixings Nightstand or side end table made in the Military Campaign style Please...
Brass
Mid-Century Lane Campaign Cedar Chest Trunk with Brass Hardware, USA
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A substantial vintage Lane cedar chest or storage trunk executed in a sophisticated Campaign and Ming Revival style, featuring richly grained ...
Brass
Large Stick and Ball English Victorian Campaign Floor Easel in Turned Wood 1900s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An exceptional large-scale antique floor easel featuring beautifully aged turned wood construction, elegant bobbin detailing, and sculptural scroll...
Brass
Mid 20th Century British Royal Navy Brass Bound Oak Grog Barrel w/Brass Letters
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
British Naval oak grog barrel or tub, used aboard British ships. The tapered barrel of staved oak with three brass bands. The ‘Royal Toast’, in large brass...
Brass
$1,486Sale Price|20% Off
LOVELY WALNUT BROWN LEATHER MILITARY CAMPAIGN NIGHTSTAND DRAWERS OR SiDE TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage Military Campaign style Walnut Nightstand or side table sized chests of drawers with br...
Leather, Walnut
1 OF 2 EBONISED BLACK & BRASS MILITARY CAMPAIGN STYLE NIGHTSTAND SiDE END TABLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale 1 of 2 Ebonised with brass fixings Nightstand or side end table made in the Military Campaign style Please...
Brass
$823Sale Price|20% Off
VINTAGE MILIARY CAMPAIGN SiDE END LAMP WINE BEDSIDE TABLE CHEST WITH DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Mahogany, green Leather and Brass Military Campaign style side table with drawers Pleas...
Brass
R.E.H . Kennedy Beautiful Pair Of Military Campaign Style Nightstands
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this lovely pair of military campaign style nightstands made by Kennedy of Ipswich and retailed by Harrods. This stunning pair of tables are adorned wi...
Chrome
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Large Dome Top Trunk, Dated 1857
Located in New York, NY
Large and decorative dome top trunk, treasure chest, dated 1857. Made of solid wood with hand-hammered tin trim. Chest shows some wear, normal and consi...
Tin
VINTAGE YEW WOOD & GREEN LEATHER MiLITARY CAMPAIGN SIDE TABLE LEATHER SLIP TRAY
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage Bachelors chest with butlers serving tray and Military Campaign drawers. Please note t...
Leather, Yew
Rare Chinese circa 1840 Campaign Chest Ornate Metal Work Swastika Well Being
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1840 Chinese hand carved campaign chest with ornate metal strap work depicting the Swasti...
Wood
Pair Of Victorian Leather Army Officer Travel Chests
Located in Essex, MA
Each with hinged practically square tops with brass corners and lined with red cloth. The conforming cases with locks and leather side handles. From the estate of the founder of Yank...
Brass
Mid Century Pair of Campaign Style Tropical Hardwood Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic pair of vintage campaign style stands crafted in dramatic grained rosewood with a drawer and two doors each, burnished brass hardware and sim...
Brass
$2,745Sale Price|30% Off
Sublime Victorian Pine Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Original Brass Fitting
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1880 Victorian pine military campaign chest of drawers with original fittings A very well made and functional chest o...
Brass
English Mahogany Campaign Slant Bureau / Bedstead with Original Brasses, C. 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany campaign hinged slant front bureau / bedstead with removable faux drawer front panel with the original brasses and escutcheons, fitted interior with a folding bedste...
Brass
Lovely Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Small Cabinet
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this lovely small yew wood military campaign style cabinet/nightstand , fitted with a brushing slide with a green leather surface, two short over one lo...
Brass
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Large Colonial British Raj All Leather Military Campaign Chest Stamped
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Remnant of the Raj. This all leather British India Military Campaign Chest is a very rare survivor. Stamped "The Western India Army Boot & Equipment Factory, Solid Leather Guaranteed...
Leather, Fruitwood
Kid Size Antique Swedish Campaign Chest with Patinated Blue Paint and Iron 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Swedish campaign chest/storage box with plain top lid - can be used as a small table. It's made of pine wood with blue paint patinated after use and age. The chest has a fla...
Iron
A Pair Of Vintage Campaign Night Stands Mahogany ca' 1970's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of beautiful. vintage campaign style two drawer night stands. Square-measuring 22"x22"x22". Mahogany with a brown/reddish stain. Heavy and solid brass hardware, pedestal bases.
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Ebonized Mahogany and Brass Campaign Style Nightstand on Wheels
Located in Germantown, MD
An exceptional Hollywood Regency Ebonized Campaign style nightstand or side table by Baker Furniture. The nightstand features gorgeous wood grain with original campaign brass hardware...
Mahogany
Manner of Jacques Adnet for Hermès Folding Screen or Room Divider
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a three-paneled screen or room divider, echoing the designs of French architect Jacques Adnet. Adnet collaborated with fashion house Hermès in the 1940s–1950s, and his influ...
Iron
$1,080Sale Price|50% Off
Hand-Crafted Antique Oak Storage Box, Campaign Style, Circa 1840s
Located in New York, NY
The antique oak storage box, shown here, is as decorative as it is practical. Made in the 1840s-1850s, the box is solidly crafted of oak and fitted with brass corner braces and corner guards...
Oak
Early 20th Century Leather Side Arm Case for English World War I Officer
Located in Middleburg, VA
Early 20th Century Leather Side Arm Case for English World War I Officer This brown leather case for a side arm has the distinction of it's owner with red velour lining and the init...
Leather, Fabric
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Lovely Vintage Military Campaign Nightstand
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this lovely military campaign style nightstand made by Reprodux , lovely condition ! Circa 1960 . Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions...
Brass
Large Chippendale Campaign Style Mahogany Brass Magazine Rack c1970s MINT
By Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large Chippendale Campaign Style Mahogany Brass Magazine Rack c1970s MINT
Brass
Dixie Cane Rattan Campaign Style White Hollywood Regency Nightstands - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Dixie Cane Rattan Campaign Style White Hollywood Regency Nightstands - a Pair. Item features laminate top, chrome Campaign style handles, rattan and cane front, white/cream l...
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Vintage Military Campaign Used Ammunition Box from Ww2 Stunning Period Patina
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this period Military Campaign used, WW2 Ammo box with all the original patina I have two of these for sale, the second piece is listed under my ...
Metal
Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Side End Lamp Wine Table Drawers, circa 1960s
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage circa 1960's Harrods London retailed, REH Kennedy made, English Military Campaign bedside table sized lamp wine table A tr...
Brass
Stunning Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Side End Table Drawers Brown Leather
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign side table with drawers and brown leather top A truly stunning and well made piece by Ke...
Brass
$137Sale Price|20% Off
ANTiQUE WWII CIRCA 1939 BOOTS FIRST AID KIT BOX FOR WAREHOUSES AND FACTORIES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely Circa 1939 WWII Boots medical box which was used in Factories and Warehouses A good looking wel...
Wood
Rare Very Collectable Army & Navy C.S.L Makers Copper Military Campaign Cooker
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this lovely fully stamped Army & Navy C.S.L makers Military Campaign copper cooker A good looking well ma...
Copper
Military Campaign Style Vintage Burr Walnut Side Table Sized Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Burr Walnut Military Campaign style, side table sized chest of drawers. A v...
Brass
Vintage Gulf War Military Campaign Used Ammunition Bomb Box Period Patiia
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this period Military Campaign used, Gulf War Bomb Ammo box with all the original patina. I have two of these for sale, the second piece is liste...
Metal
$2,161Sale Price / item|30% Off
Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Hidden Inside a Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Burr yew wood military campaign chest of drawers which houses a drinks cabinet A very good looking well made and decorative piece,...
Brass
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
WW2 SILVER PLATED ROYAL CANADiAN ORDNANCE CORPS BADGE ON CIGARETTE CASE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely WW2 silver plated Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps A very good looking well-made vintage piece, it...
Silver Plate
Antique British Campaign Trunk / Chest, Camphor Wood, Curved Top, Brass Hardware
Located in Madrid, ES
A late 19th century arched top camphor wood British military campaign chest, with original brass hardware. Solid, in near excellent condition, ready for daily use. Built of durable m...
Brass
$2,257Sale Price|30% Off
Fine Vintage Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Lovely Patina
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, vintage Burr Yew wood Military Campaign chest of drawers A well made good looking and decorative piece, ...
Brass
Vintage Monumental WWII American Wood Light Aircraft Carrier Made by Sailors
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this huge, Vintage WWII American wooden deck light Aircraft carrier, reputedly made by Sailors moored in the Solent...
Wood
PAiR OF MILIARY CAMPAIGN SIDE END LAMP WINE BEDSIDE TABLE CHESTS WITH DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of vintage hardwood & brass Military Campaign style side tables with drawers Please note t...
Brass
BRITISH CAMPAIGN & GALLANTRY MEDALS DiSPLAY PICTURE VERY DECORATIVE EXAMPLE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very decorative display case housing multiple medals for Britich Campaign & Gallantry Please note the...
Brass
WW2 1939-1945 8th Battalion the Durham Hd Hq Wing Military Campaign Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning small Military Campaign Chest with the original label that states 8th Battalion The Durham HD GR wing The label has the privates name on which is...
Wood
PAIR OF ViNTAGE DISTRESSED MILITARY CAMPAIGN BURR YEW WOOD SIDE TABLE DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of vintage Burr Yew wood & brass mounted Military Campaign style side tables with drawers t...
Brass
STUNNING SUiTE OF VINTAGE ENGLISH PINE CAMPAIGN CHESTS OF DRAWERS & SIDE TABLES
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of Vintage English Pine Military Campaign furniture to include one large chest of drawer...
Brass
$2,833Sale Price|30% Off
Lovely Vintage Rich Golden Brown Oak Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nice vintage chest of Military Campaign drawers A decorative and functional chest of drawers, made in the Campaign style in oak with b...
Brass
$912Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Burr Yew Wood Bedside / Side End Table Drawers with Butlers Serving Tray
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime vintage Burr Yew wood Bachelors chest with butlers serving tray. A truly stunning and well made piece, this is a bachelor chest whi...
Yew
$2,401Sale Price|30% Off
Antique Victorian Pitch Pine Military Campaign Used Chest of Drawers +Name Plate
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original late Victorian Military Campaign used chest of drawers in pitch pine with wrought iron ...
Brass