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.
FiNE ANTIQUE VICTORIAN HARDWOOD MILITARY CAMPAIGN DRINKS CABINET HIDDEN INSIDE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning Antique Victorian Circa 1880-1900 Mahogany, Military Campaign side table sides drawers unit wh...
Brass
$1,121Sale Price|25% Off
Drexel Campaign Dry Bar Side Board Slide Top Rolling 1970s
By Drexel
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing is from 1st Dibs and they normally s...
Brass
$2,306Sale Price|40% Off
Reno Wahl for Dyrlund Vintage Danish Teak Metamorphic Captains Campaign Bar
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely original circa 1960s solid Danish teak at home bar on wheels designed by the great Reno Wahl Iversen and retailed thr...
Teak
American of Martinsville Campaign Server
Located in Bradenton, FL
A 1970’s campaign style buffet/server made by American of Martinsville. The cabinet top slides and lifts revealing a black laminate serving area that extends to double the length of ...
Brass
$3,145 / item
Campaign Style Cabinet, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “drift” white painted finish with subtle grey di...
Wood
$2,833Sale Price|30% Off
Rare Large circa 1900 Military Campaign Chest Trunk Zinc Lined for Champagne Etc
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very large full sized Military Campaign zinc lined chest or trunk with original locks and key designed as a wine / champaign cooler...
Zinc
$2,744Sale Price|20% Off
RENO WAHL FOR DYRLUND ViNTAGE DANISH HARDWOOD METAMORPHIC CAPTAINS CAMPAIGN BAR
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1960’s solid Rosewood at home bar on wheels designed by the great Reno Wahl Ivers...
Hardwood
$2,162Sale 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
$1,562 / item
H 66.9 in W 31.5 in D 11.4 in
"Perf" Bar Cabinet in Varnished Steel by Moroso for Diesel
By Moroso, Diesel Creative Team 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Perf" is a bar cabinet, designed by Diesel Creative Team and manufactured by Moroso, in varnished steel black mat, with doors in varnished steel available in these colors: copper, b...
Steel
Rolling Dry Bar Designed by Gio Tirotto for Mingardo
By Mingardo, Gio Tirotto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rolling is a cart for serving spirits. The project researches the best combination between simply primordially being and high quality handmade. “The same way how I would describe the best gin tonic...
Iron
$4,617Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Midcentury Style Brass and Blu Murano Glass Bar Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade bar cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and hand-cut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass raised on sp...
Glass, Wood
Vintage Dry Bar by Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful vintage dry bar designed in the 1970s by Willy Rizzo. Orange suede, chromed metal bars. The set includes: illuminated shelves, a counter with a mirrored glass top, chrome ...
Metal
$1,021Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 16.54 in
Italian Hand Painted Venetian Style Cabinet, C1960
Located in Trensacq, FR
Italian hand-painted Venetian style cabinet, C1960 Beautiful Venetian style painted cabinet c1960s Italy. Simple neoclassical style, wonderfully complimented by the delicate figurati...
Wood, Paint
$3,495
H 10.5 in W 26.5 in D 13.75 in
British Military Officer's Campaign Trunk of Brass-Bound Camphor
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome rectangular British military officer's Campaign trunk of camphorwood featuring hand-cut brass binding and hardware, with opposing handles, and wax seals or stamps from por...
Metal, Brass
Very Rare Bar Cabinet by Charles Dudouyt, France, 1930s/40s
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An very rare bar cabinet attributed to Charles Dudouyt, France, 1930s/40s. Structurally sound and ready to use. Some marks to the top surface and inside shelves. Fast shipping worldw...
Wood
$5,771
H 38.19 in W 34.26 in D 17.33 in
Midcentury Style Brass and Colored Murano Glass Bar Cabinet, 2020
Located in Rome, IT
Very fine handmade bar cabinet by a master artisan. Brass frame with handmade and handcut cobalt blue and white opaline Murano glass raised on spe...
Glass, Wood
$2,500Sale Price|30% Off
H 29.75 in W 24 in D 18 in
Vintage Compact Danish Teak Expandable Dry Bar Cabinet by Dyrlund
By Dyrlund
Located in San Jose, CA
Mid-Century Modern compact dry bar cabinet in teak model no. 7739 manufactured by Dyrlund, Copenhagen. This clever piece features an extendable serving top with an easy to maintain black laminate surface. Equipped with two dovetail drawers, a stainless steel ice bucket, one adjustable shelf, and plenty of storage for cocktail glasses and bottles. Accented with a modern aluminum square knob...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Arthur Umanoff Cocktail Dry Bar or Server for Raymor
Located in St. Louis, MO
Midcentury Arthur Umanoff bar for Raymor. Wrought iron base, oak slats, rush and Formica top. Overall nice original condition, oak restored, wrought iron base repainted, top in very ...
Wrought Iron
Milo Baughman Style Burl Cabinet or Dry Bar
Located in San Francisco, CA
Milo Baughman style two door cabinet or dry bar featuring burl olive wood doors supported by a cast aluminum floating base and a stained walnut case. Fitted interior consists of a si...
Aluminum
Early 20thC Burr Walnut Demi-Lune Drinks Cabinet
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Burr Walnut Demi-Lune Side Cocktail Drinks Cabinet - with a pair of doors with an internal shelf and brass mounts, raised upon carved cabriole legs - 41"w x 15"d x 39"h
Walnut
Large Italian Mid-Century Wood Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Italian dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated picturesque world ...
Metal
Vintage Henredon Dry Bar Cabinet in Campaign Style Scene 1 One
By Henredon
Located in Saddle River, NJ
Vintage Henredon Campaign Style Dry Bar Cabinet! This vintage Henredon dry bar cabinet, designed in the classic campaign style, is a beautiful and functional piece. Its mobile desig...
Wood
Italian Mid-Century Modern Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This impressive Italian mid-size dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated pict...
Wood, Paper
Italian Mid-Century Globe Zodiac Bar Cart
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Italian dry bar from the 1960’s is perfect for adding a touch of classic European flair to your home. The globe is quite detailed with a paper decorated picturesque world ...
Wood, Paper
Sold
H 30.5 in W 59.5 in D 19 in
Olive Burl Black Lacquer Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
By Century Furniture, Henredon, Dorothy Draper, Drexel
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Century circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain olive ...
Brass
English Country Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
English Country cocktail cabinet - An oak and brass bound travel trunk style wine and cocktail cabinet with a hinged lid. The front panel is lined wi...
Brass
Sold
H 32.5 in W 40 in D 19.25 in
Campaign Style Dry Bar Black Flip Top by Drexel Attr to Accolade II Collection
By Drexel
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Campaign style dry bar in a medium-dark veneer, possibly pecan, with a black dyed wood top, an interior black laminate flip top, and antiqued brass plated hardware a...
Metal, Brass
Henredon Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand
By Henredon
Located in Pasadena, TX
Henredon 22 Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand Single campaign side table or nightstand. Single drawer with open storage beneath. Walnut with recessed brass pull and details.
Walnut
Campaign Style Cabinet, Mahogany
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware rich brown hand-rubbed finish on mahogany quarter cut ...
Wood
Campaign Style Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “rustic” warm walnut finish with subtle visual d...
Wood
Vintage Tambour Roll Bar Liquor Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very unusual vintage bar, the domed tambour top opening to reveal a fitted interior with various compartments above a useful pull-out surface for mixing drinks, the whole raised on...
Cherry
Sold
H 16.5 in W 24.5 in D 11.5 in
Handcrafted Campaign Chest Field Bar in Walnut and Brass by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
This handcrafted Campaign chest field bar in walnut and brass is the result of a unique partnership among Southern artisans. This Campaign Chest, an expressi...
Hardwood, Walnut