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.
Henredon Modernist Three-Part Campaign Oak and Brass Buffet / Credenza
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stunning high quality vintage three-part Henredon campaign credenza sideboard. Post mid century, circa 70s. Solid wood with select grain all a...
Brass
1970s Romweber Burled Wood Gold Accent Credenza with Filing Drawers
By Mastercraft, Bernhard Rohne, Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Luxury, pure and simple. Well maybe not so simple… this burled Carpathian elm wood credenza wears it’s gold trim like fine jewelry. The chocolate hued wood is illuminated with brilli...
Brass
Pair of Campaign Style Two Door Woven Wicker Stands
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Impressive pair of vintage Bielecky Brothers stands hand crafted in woven reed in a campaign style with brass hardware, two doors in front, and plenty of storage.
Reed
Lovely Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Sidebord
Located in Crawley, GB
delight to offer for sale this beautiful military campaign style sideboard / bank of drawers in yew wood. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1960’s . The quality is o...
Brass
Beautiful Yew Wood Military Campaign Sidebord
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this beautiful military campaign style sideboard / bank of drawers in yew wood. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. The quality is...
Brass
$3,853Sale Price|20% Off
Lovely Harrods Flamed Hardwood and Green Leather Military Campaign Sideboard
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this lovely vintage Harrods London flamed mahogany with green leather gold leaf tooled doors, Military Campaign sideboard with drawers A very well made and decor...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,137Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Burr Yew Military Campaign Sideboard Drinks Cabinet Bank of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Military Campaign, burr yew wood and chrome sideboard A very well made and decorative piece, these campaign sideboards are h...
Brass
R.E.H. Kennedy Stunning Large Military Campaign Style Sidebord
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this impressive large campaign style sideboard/dresser base, with typical brass bound corners and four short drawers with flushed brass handles, raised o...
Brass
Mid-Century Campaign Style Long Chest or Cabinet
By Directional
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chic mid-century chest or cabinet crafted in mahogany featuring multiple components including brass campaign style hardware including three drawers and three doors. Plenty of storage...
Brass
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Stunning Military Campaign Sideboard
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning vintage mid-century military campaign style sideboard manufactured by the renowned English furniture maker Bevan Funnell under their Reprod...
Brass
$2,587Sale Price|20% Off
VINTAGE MILITARY CAMPAIGN STYLE SIDEBOARD BANK OF DRAWERS WITH BRASS FITTINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this vintage Military Campaign style sideboard bank of drawers Please note: The delivery fee shown in the l...
Brass
$1,045Sale Price|20% Off
LOVELY VINTAGE HARDWOOD MILITARY CAMPAIGN STYLE SiDEBOARD TV MEDIA UNIT PART SET
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this nice vintage solid hardwood Campaign style sideboard or TV Media unit which is part of a suite Please ...
Brass
Harrods Kennedy Beautiful Military Campaign Style Sideboard
By Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning military campaign style sidebord with brass corners and brass handles , this piece as been fully restored and it s in amazing condition . C...
Brass
$3,082Sale Price|20% 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
$4,238Sale Price|20% Off
THEODORE ALEXANDER POPLAR MAPPA BURL MILITARY CAMPAIGN SIDEBOARD BANK OF DRAWERs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Exquisite Theodore Alexander Poplar Mappa Burl Wood Military Campaign style Sideboard Bank of Drawers ...
Wood
$3,688Sale Price|20% Off
FINE RESTORED TRADITIONALLY FRENCH POLISHED BURR ELM MILITARY CAMPAIGN SiDEBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored and traditionally French polished Burr Elm Military Campaign sideboard bank of drawers Please note ...
Brass
$5,504Sale Price|20% Off
SCOTTISH 93RD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENT OF FOOT MiLITARY CAMPAIGN CHEST
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, fully signed, 93rd Lancers (Regiment of Foot) military campaign chest of drawers ci...
Hardwood
$1,651Sale Price|20% Off
Bevan Funnell Reprodux Campaign Chest of Drawers Leather Top TV Stand
By Bevan Funnell Ltd., Army & Navy CSL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely RRP £4500 Bevan Funnell Reprodux Military campaign desk of drawers with brass fittings and leather top designed to seat a TV. A very...
Leather, Hardwood
$3,688Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.96 in W 59.45 in D 17.33 in
FINE RESTORED TRADITIONALLY FRENCH POLISHED BURR ELM MILITARY CAMPAIGN SiDEBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored and traditionally French polished Burr Elm Military Campaign sideboard bank of drawers Please note ...
Brass
$2,408 / set
H 26.38 in W 18.12 in D 12.21 in
Pair of Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Bedside Cabinets / Side Tables
Located in London, GB
A smart and extremely well made pair of antique yew wood military campaign bedside cabinets / side tables. They were made in England, they date from around the 1930’s. They are of s...
Brass
1970s Jorge Zalszupin Style Glossy Wood Patchwork Sideboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A strikingly handsome sideboard from the 1970s, this piece is crafted in the distinctive style of Jorge Zalszupin, renowned for his sophisticated Brazilian modernist designs. Its glo...
Wood
Swedish 3 Door Cabinet - Nordens Flora Illustrations
Located in Stockholm, SE
A Swedish three-door sideboard or cabinet, circa 1950s. The cabinet features clean lines and a balanced interior layout behind two doors, opening to separate compartments. One compar...
Birch, Paper
$2,270 / set
H 23.63 in W 22.05 in D 15.75 in
PAIR OF VINTAGE MILITARY CAMPAiGN YEW WOOD CHEST OF DRAWERS END TABLES
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Pair of Vintage Military Campaign Yew Wood Chest Of Drawers. A beautiful set, with some cosmetic wear as you would find w...
Yew
Henredon Campaign Mid Century Oak and Brass Lowboy Dresser
By Henredon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Henredon Campaign Mid Century Oak and Brass Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 70 wide x 19 deep x 30.25 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - Very Minor Areas of Stain Wear....
Brass
$5,504Sale Price|20% Off
H 35.44 in W 41.54 in D 19.1 in
SCOTTISH 93RD SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS REGIMENT OF FOOT MiLITARY CAMPAIGN CHEST
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, fully signed, 93rd Lancers (Regiment of Foot) military campaign chest of drawers ci...
Hardwood
$3,995
H 31.13 in W 71.25 in D 18 in
Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood and Brass Sideboard Credenza
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Romweber USA, Circa 1970s Gorgeous burled Carpathian elm wood, with brass trim and origi...
Brass
$6,900
H 29.75 in W 64.25 in D 18.25 in
Mastercraft Burl Wood Brass Greek Key Detail Credenza Sideboard William Doezema
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in Miami, FL
Incredible William Doezema designed Burl Wood, brass and metal credenza, Sideboard or Cabinet. Features 4 doors and 2 drawers, decorated with Brass Pulls, Borders and Metal Greek Key...
Brass, Metal
Henredon Campaign Mid Century Oak and Brass Lowboy Dresser
By Henredon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Henredon Campaign Mid Century Oak and Brass Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 72 wide x 18 deep x 28.5 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Very Minor Stain Wear on Top Surface...
Brass
$3,595
H 27 in W 60 in D 16 in
Henredon French Regency Louis XVI Carved Walnut and Oak Sideboard Credenza
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Carved walnut, burl wood, and oak, with original brass hardware. Measur...
Brass
Bond Burled Wood Credenza
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly Chic. Pieced, burled mappa between Lucite legs with stainless steel accents. Pieced veneer cabinet faces showcase naturally occurring patterns in the wood, and an adjustab...
Acrylic, Burl, Wood
Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Style Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A beautifully constructed and very smart antique yew wood military campaign style chest of drawers. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is superb,...
Brass
Henredon Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Sideboard
By Henredon
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Serpentine form Sideboard with darker contrasting top. On six square tapered legs with spade form feet. The case with serpentine form, having two end cabinet doors that flank the cen...
Brass, Other
$1,950
H 24.5 in W 26 in D 16.75 in
Henredon 3 Drawer Bachelors Chest with Campaign and Tansu Elements
By Henredon
Located in Chicago, IL
Henredon 3 drawer bachelors chest that blends British military campaign style with Japanese Tansu components. It features stunning bright brass butterfly shaped hardware and brass co...
Brass
Sold
H 32.2 in W 52 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Boho Coastal Dixie Campaign Style Faux Bamboo Herringbone Sideboard
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Beautiful vintage faux bamboo sideboard by Dixie featuring woven herringbone inset panels and classic campaign-style brass hardware. This piece blends British Colonial influence with...
Wicker, Rattan, Plywood
Antique Military Campaign Style Chest of Drawers / Sideboard
Located in London, GB
A superb antique military campaign style chest of drawers / sideboard. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. It is of amazing quality and is a great size, with ...
Brass
Antique Military Campaign Style Sideboard / Cabinet
Located in London, GB
A smart and very well made antique military campaign style sideboard / cabinet. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1930’s. The quality is superb, this is a great siz...
Brass
Sold
H 30.75 in W 66.25 in D 19.25 in
Drexel Heritage Hollywood Regency Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Circa 1970s
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Drexel Heritage USA, Circa 1970s Beautiful book-matched walnut, with original...
Brass
Vintage Henredon Green Chinoiserie Style Campaign Sideboard
By Henredon
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Vintage Henredon Green Chinoiserie Style Campaign Sideboard. Featuring three drawers at the top, three doors at the bottom that open up to storage space, brass ...
Brass
Sold
H 28.15 in W 31.89 in D 18.12 in
PAIR OF DREXEL HERITAGE MILITARY CAMPAIGN SIDEBOARDS WHiCH ARE PART OF A SUITE
By Drexel
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage pair of Drexel Heritage Furniture mid century modern Military Campaign style sideboards ...
Brass
Henredon Modernist Three-Part Campaign Oak and Brass Buffet / Credenza
By Henredon
Located in Germantown, MD
A Stunning high quality vintage three-part Henredon campaign credenza sideboard. Post mid century, circa 70s. Solid wood with select grain all around. Antiqued Brass cast brass hardw...
Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 59.45 in D 16.93 in
MADE IN ENGLAND ViNTAGE BURR YEW MILITARY CAMPAIGN SIDEBOARD CHEST OF DRAWERS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare lightly restored Burr yewMilitary Campaign sideboard bank of drawers Please note the deliver...
Brass
Sold
H 28.94 in W 44.89 in D 17.33 in
SUBLIME ViNTAGE BURR WALNUT MILITARY CAMPAIGN DRINKS CABINET HIDDEN IN SIDEBOARD
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage hand made in England Burr Walnut Military Campaign sideboard with drinks cabinet interna...
Brass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 47.64 in D 15.36 in
VINTAGE MILITARY CAMPAIGN SIDEBOARD LOTS OF STORAGE AND BRASS FITTiNGS
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London We are delighted to offer for sale this Vintage Military Campaign Sideboard. The Vintage Military Campaign Sideboard is a unique and eye-catching piece of fur...
Brass
Sold
H 27.76 in W 59.06 in D 17.13 in
Fine Antique Burr & Burl Walnut Military Campaign Sideboard Bank of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage Military Campaign, Burr Walnut with brass fittings sideboard bank of drawers A very well made and decorative piece, these ca...
Brass
Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Sideboard
Located in London, GB
A superb antique military Campaign style sideboard / bank of drawers in yew wood. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950s. The quality is outstanding, this has a ...
Brass
Sold
H 31.89 in W 67.33 in D 18.71 in
Harrods Kenney Hardwood & Brass Military Campaign Sideboard Chest of Drawers
By Harrods, Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely vintage solid mahogany with brass trim Military Campaign sideboard with three drawers and two cupboards made by REH Kennedy and retaile...
Brass
Natural Oak Credenza, France, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Description: This stunning bleached French buffet, handpicked by our curator and discovered in Normandy, France, is a true masterpiece of 1940s craftsmanship and design. Featuring i...
Oak
Antique Yew Wood Military Campaign Sideboard / Chest of Drawers
Located in London, GB
A superb antique yew wood sideboard in the military campaign style. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1950’s. It is of amazing quality and is a very useful item, ...
Yew