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
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
Original "1902-1907 Officers of the Staff Corps" by C. Ogden, 1908
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This colorful lithograph by H. A. Ogden was published in 1908 by Brigadier General J. B. Allshire. Originally published as a comprehensive series of U. S. military uniforms, this pri...
Paper
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
$89,000 / set
H 43.33 in W 28.5 in D 1 in
Andy Warhol , Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, (Set of Three), 1975
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Set of three original color screenprints on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen series, 1975. Each work is hand-signed, dated and n...
Paper
$320Sale 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
Vintage Abstract Modern Lithograph Print, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Signed by Artist Manufacturer: Signed by Artist Materials: Lithograph Style: Abstract Modern
Other
$500 / set
H 10.63 in W 7.29 in D 0.04 in
Bignonia venusta – Antique Botanical Chromolithograph, 1880s
Located in Fukuoka, JP
A striking original botanical print from the 1880s, featuring Bignonia venusta, also known as flame vine or orange trumpet vine. This brilliantly colored illustration captures the dr...
Paper
Signed Merton Simpson Reduction Linocut Print
Located in Chicago, IL
Graphic and colorful abstract print depicting an African-American man feeding pigeons in front of a brick building. Signed under the mat "Merton Simpson" as shown in photo. Although ...
Paper
$347
H 6.03 in W 4.41 in D 0.01 in
Horatio Nelson Portrait, Trafalgar Engraving, Naval Hero, 1819 London
Located in Langweer, NL
Horatio Nelson Portrait, Trafalgar Engraving, Naval Hero, 1819 London This striking engraved portrait depicts Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758–1805), one of Britain’s most celebrat...
Paper
$29,500
H 43.33 in W 28.5 in D 1 in
Andy Warhol Ladies and Gentlemen Screenprint, Signed, 1975, 73/125
By Andy Warhol
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
Andy Warhol – Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975 Original color screenprint on Arches paper from Andy Warhol’s Ladies and Gentlemen portfolio, 1975. Hand-si...
Paper
$165
H 5.71 in W 8.86 in D 0.01 in
Austrian Military Uniforms Lithograph – Engineers, Landwehr & Staff, c.1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of three antique lithographs depicting a rich selection of Austrian military uniforms from the 18th and 19th centuries, presented in three detailed panels. Each figure is caref...
Paper
$207Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.89 in W 9.34 in D 0.02 in
Chromolithograph Vanity Fair Caricature Print 'Barnum'
Located in Langweer, NL
Chromolithograph titled 'Barnum'. Lithograph of P. T. Barnum. Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman, and politician, remembered for ...
Paper
$82
H 9.73 in W 7.49 in D 0.01 in
Antique Print – Hungarian Hussars on Horseback, Military Uniforms – 1858
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique Print – Hungarian Hussars on Horseback, Military Uniforms – 1858 This striking antique lithograph, dated 1858, presents two Hungarian Hussars on horseback in full regimental...
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
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