Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
CAMPAIGN STYLE
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.
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Style: Campaign
English Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest with Recessed Brasses, C. 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
English camphor wood five-drawer military campaign chest with the original recessed brasses, key hole escutcheons, brass corner mounts, and terminating on the original bracket feet, ...
Category
1820s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair Burr Yew Bedside Chests Designed By Ray Leigh For Gordon Russell 1988
Located in Norwich, GB
Pair of burr yew and yew bedside chests with recessed brass handles, designed by Ray Leigh for Gordon Russell Ltd. December 1988.
These chests were made for Ray Leigh by craftsman M...
Category
1980s English Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Baker Milling Road Banded Front Campaign Style Tall Chest of Drawers - Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid Century Modern Milling Road Tall Dresser by Baker. The dresser features a very nice Hollywood Regency / campaign style design with striking, figured wood grain, 5 dovetai...
Category
20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique Hardwood
Brass French Polished Domed Two Drawer Campaign Chest
Located in Reading, Berkshire
An Exquisite Handmade Hardwood & Brass French Polished Domed Two Drawer Campaign Captains Chest.
Decorated With Brass Inlay & Flanked By Two Carry Handles.
Inside Features A Remova...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Campaign Style Gold Leafed Chest of Drawers by Baker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Campaign style gold leafed chest of drawers by Baker Furniture Company.
Category
1960s American Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Gold Leaf
$1,638 Sale Price
69% Off
Small Mahogany Campaign Or Military Chest Of Drawers, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A charming small 19th-century campaign mahogany chest of drawers from the english naval or military
good quality chest of small size and that features a leather top.
Made entirely o...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Mid 19th Century Oak Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A Handsome 19th Century Oak British Military Officer's Campaign Chest of Drawers
This striking mid-19th-century oak campaign chest of drawers exudes the timeless elegance and functi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Military Or Campaign Chest Of Drawers In Mahogany - 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century mahogany campaign or military chest of drawers.
A high-quality chest of drawers that was originally in two parts, but was screwed together. This was done at the time to facilitate transport during military campaigns or on ships.
The chest of drawers is made entirely of solid mahogany and has the typical square shape of military chests of drawers.
English naval chest of drawers...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Military Or Campaign Chest Of Drawers In Blond Mahogany With Secretary - 19th Ce
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb 19th century blond mahogany campaign or military chest of drawers with a secretary in the first drawer
Very beautiful secretary with a beautiful interior with two drawers and...
Category
19th Century British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Reprodux Bevan Funnell Stunning Military Campaign Style Chest Of Drawers
Located in Crawley, GB
We delight to offer for sale this stunning military campaign style chest of four drawers made by Bevan Funnell having two short and two long drawers with brass drop handles , lovely ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Victorian Apothecary Campaign 4 Drawer Brass Bound Chest with Hand Painted Front
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare Victorian Apothecary Military Campaign four drawer brass bound chest finished with tooled black leather
A Beautiful handcrafted Apothecary C...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Hardwood Campaign Brass Bound Chest of Two Short and Two Long Drawers
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Early 20th century hardwood campaign brass bound chest of two short and two long drawers with sunken brass handles, raised upon out swept feet.
Category
Early 20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
$3,347 Sale Price
35% Off
Good Quality 3 Drawer Mahogany Campaign Chest, from HMS Renown
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Good Quality 3 Drawer Mahogany campaign chest, from HMS Renown
This is a delightful and interesting piece, it is made in Mahogany, a Campaign Chest with inset brass handles and 3 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Pair of Antique Military Campaign Style Bedside Chests
Located in London, GB
A smart and extremely well made pair of antique military campaign style bedside chests with leather tops. They were made in England, and date from around the 1900-1920 period.
The q...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Petite 4 Drawer Burl Olivewood Campaign Style Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
Lovely petite burled olive wood campaign style chest. Chest has four drawers, 2 small drawers at the top and 2 larger drawers below. It has inset brass campaign style hardware on the...
Category
1930s Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Campaign Style Ebonized Mahogany Brass Inlay Two Drawers Small Dresser Chest
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Campaign Style Ebonized Mahogany Brass Inlay Two Drawers Small Dresser Chest Mint!
Category
20th Century Unknown Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign Side End Table Drawers Green Leather
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage Harrods Kennedy Military Campaign side tables with drawers and green leather tops
A truly stunning and well made p...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
PAIR OF VINTAGE MiLITARY CAMPAIGN TALLBOY CHESTS OF DRAWERS GREEN LEATHER TRAYS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime pair of vintage Military Campaign tallboy chests of drawers which are brass mounted and come co...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
English Campaign 19th Century Camphor Wood Low Chest with Inset Brass Hardware
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English camphor wood Campaign low chest from the 19th century, with three drawers and inset brass hardware. Created in England during the 19th century, this Campaign camphor wood ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Campaign Cest of Drawers Officers Chest
Located in BUSSUM, NH
Mahogant & brass campaign chest or officers chest that was used by British officers to store their personal belongings and clothing / uniforms.
Beause ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique 19th Century Padouk Anglo-Indian Campaign Secretaire Chest
Cupboard
Located in King
s Lynn, GB
An antique early 19th century Padouk Anglo Indian Campaign Secretaire Chest & cupboard. With gadrooned carved moulding detailing on all edges, gadrooned turned feet and round wooden ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Padouk
Lovely Antique Victorian Walnut Military Campaign Officers Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely Victorian Walnut Military officers Campaign chest of drawers
A very good looking period used piece, the drawers have lots of origina...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Vintage Anglo Indian Hardwood Brass Inlay Military Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Anglo Indian circa 1920's Rosewood with Brass inlay Military Campaign chest of drawers
A very good looking well made and ...
Category
1920s Indian Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
FOUR RARE ANTIQUE ORIGINAL CHINESE EXPORT CIRCA 1880 STACKABLE CAMPAIGN CHESTs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super are and highly collectable, original Chinese export circa 1880 suite of four stackable campaign c...
Category
1880s Chinese Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
STUNNING ViNTAGE BURR WALNUT BUTLERS TABLE CHEST OF DRAWERS EXTENDING TOP
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime Vintage hand made in England Burr Walnut chest of drawers with Butlers extending top
Please no...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Harrods Military Campaign Faux Book Chest of Drawers Brown Leather Writing Slope
By Harrods
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely handmade in England Harrods London Military Campaign chest of drawers with brown leather writing slope...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Leather
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 ...
Category
19th Century English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Antique circa 1920 Light Oak Military Campaign Chest of Drawers with Drop Front
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely circa 1920 Art Deco period English oak and brass Military Campaign chest of drawers with drop front top drawer.
This is a nicely mad...
Category
1920s English Vintage Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Original circa 1880 Hardwood Military Officers Campaign Chest of Drawers
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rare and solid Mahogany Military Officers Campaign chest of drawers.
If you’re in the market for a super original Campaign chest of drawers...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Circa 1880 Solid Oak
Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers Secrataire Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, highly collectable solid oak with over sized brass fittings Military Campaign chest of drawers with mahogany lined & brown leather ...
Category
1880s English Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Pair of Vintage Military Campaign Light Oak 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...
Category
20th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
19th Century Oak Military Chest with Writing Interior
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century large oak military chest. The top lifting to reveal four shelves and centred by a mirror over two top short drawers and four long drawers with brass pulls. The centre dr...
Category
Late 19th Century Irish Antique Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Brass
Campaign commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Campaign commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, more furniture and collectibles, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Europe, United Kingdom, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include Kennedy Furniture For Harrods London, Harrods, Baker Furniture Company, and Sarreid Ltd.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $883 and tops out at $22,500 while the average work can sell for $3,306.
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