Campaign Furniture

How do we bring our focus back to Interior Design in the heat of election time? We talk about Campaign Furniture! They have absolutely nothing to do with each other, but there, I just changed the subject!

What is Campaign Furniture:
By definition, campaign furniture is furniture made specifically to break down or fold for ease of travel. Designed to be used by traveling armies, most commonly associated with British Army Officers.
Campaign Furniture Timeline:
From the time of Julius Caesar until the early 20th century, but forever fashionable, still being made.
Abbreviated History of Campaign Furniture:
It has been used by traveling armies since at least the time of  but it is commonly associated with British Army Officers, many of whom commissioned the furniture to be made. With the rise and expansion of the British Empire in the eighteenth and 19th centuries the demand by the military, administrators and colonists increased. British officers of high social position in the Georgian and Victorian periods (1714–1901) often carried high quality portable furniture. These upper class officers were used to a certain standard of living, so no matter where they went, they expected to have their mahogany dining table & chairs, desk, 4 poster bed, chest of drawers, etc. These pieces looked no different than their fine furniture at home, but the difference was in the design with hidden hinges and clever construction – so they could be efficiently disassembled and reassembled without the use of multiple tools. Hepplewhite and Sheraton were among the designers of this fine furniture.

“Mobility was much less a concern than keeping up appearances”  says Nicholas Brawer, author of  British Campaign Furniture: Elegance Under Canvas

Demise of Campaign Furniture Use:
The beginning of the 20th Century marks the end of the official use of campaign furniture as major changes came to warfare. Also the increased use of cars and weaponry changed the logistics of travel and warfare, phasing out the need for campaign furniture.

Photo Credits: desk  chair  table  box 

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