Campaign Furniture
Also known as “knock down furniture", is a type of furniture that was specifically designed for travel. A lot made for military campaigns, and it was designed so that it could easily be packed, and carried on to the battle field
Origins of Campaign Furniture
Campaign furniture has a long history, dating back to the days of china can be found as far back as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and ancient Rome Roman soldiers were known to carry wooden furniture with them on long marches, and these pieces were designed to be easily taken apart and reassembled.
In more recent times, campaign furniture became popular during the heyday of the British Empire. British military officers needed furniture that could withstand the rigours of long marches and campaigns in far-off lands. The furniture also needed to be easily transportable, so it could be quickly packed up and moved to a new location.
Perhaps the best-known piece of campaign furniture was the Wellington Chest, named after the 1st Duke of Wellington. It had 6 to 12 drawers of equal depth. The right-hand side of the frame, which overlapped the drawers, was hinged and fitted with a lock.
Campaign Furniture styles
Campaign style furniture is historically portable, and rugged, featuring metal strapwork and brass corners. The pieces typically feature handles, making them easy to carry when needed.
One of the key features of campaign furniture is its ability to be taken apart and put back together easily. This was accomplished through the use of metal brackets and screws, which allowed the furniture to be disassembled quickly and without the need for specialised tools.
Campaign furniture was historically made of durable hardwoods such as teak or mahogany. These woods were chosen for their strength and ability to withstand the harsh conditions of military campaigns. Also including camphor wood due to its natural odour being a deterrent for moths and other beetles etc
Popular Types of Campaign Furniture
Campaign style furniture comes in many different types and styles. Some of the most popular pieces include:
Campaign chests
Campaign tables
Campaign writing tables
Campaign beds
Campaign chairs
Campaign secretaires
Campaign bath .. yes baths were also carried across the battle field.
Pretty much anything one had at home would be manufactured as campaign Furniture for ease of dismantling and placed on ships to travel to war for officers.