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Campaign Dry Bars

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
Olive Burl Black Lacquer Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Century circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain olive ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

RENO WAHL FOR DYRLUND ViNTAGE DANISH HARDWOOD METAMORPHIC CAPTAINS CAMPAIGN BAR
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1960’s solid Rosewood at home bar on wheels designed by the great Reno Wahl Ivers...
Category

1960s English Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Hardwood

Thomasville Pecan Inlay Asian Modern Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Thomasville circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grain fr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Campaign Style Cabinet, Mahogany
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware rich brown hand-rubbed finish on mahogany quarter cut ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Burr Yew Wood Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Hidden Inside a Chest Trunk
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Burr yew wood military campaign chest of drawers which houses a drinks cabinet A very good looking well made and decorative piece,...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Henredon Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand
Located in Pasadena, TX
Henredon 22 Campaign Style Walnut Nightstand Single campaign side table or nightstand. Single drawer with open storage beneath. Walnut with recessed brass pull and details.
Category

Late 20th Century North American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Walnut

Campaign Style Cabinet, Drift White
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “drift” white painted finish with subtle grey di...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Danish Modern Rosewood Foldout Bar Cabinet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Well grained rosewood bar cabinet that opens to reveal a campaign style interior with plenty of storage and a fold out top service area. Designed by Reno Wall Iverson for Dyrlund, De...
Category

20th Century Danish Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Rosewood

Reno Wahl for Dyrlund Vintage Danish Teak Metamorphic Captains Campaign Bar
Located in GB
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...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Rare Large circa 1900 Military Campaign Chest Trunk Zinc Lined for Champagne Etc
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer this very large full sized Military Campaign zinc lined chest or trunk with original locks and key designed as a wine / champaign cooler...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Zinc

Related Items
Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak cocktail bar cabinet 1960s Elegant Danish Mid-Century Modern dry bar cabinet with drop down door. Very good size and proportions...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Formica, Teak

Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
Vintage Danish Teak Bar Cabinet, 1960s
H 43.31 in W 35.44 in D 15.75 in
Midcentury Metamorphic Rolling Bar Cabinet, Cocktail Bar
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
midcentury Metamorphic Rolling Bar Cabinet, Cocktail Bar A Stylish and Functional Piece, the cabinet is very heavy but set on wheels to make it ...
Category

1960s Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Teak

Traditional Style Walnut Rolling Bar Cart
Located in Westwood, NJ
Traditional style walnut rolling bar and serving cart accented with brass railing and handle. This bar cart is beautiful and functional. The inner top is inset with black granite all...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

18th Century Style Drinks Cabinet, Walnut, Walnut Burr English
Located in Toronto, CA
This is an absolutely fantastic example of an 18th Century Style drinks cabinet or dry bar crafted in England with meticulous attention to detail. The cabinet is in Walnut solids and veneer and a showstopper of Burr Walnut veneers on the door and drawer faces. Inside the interior has a contrasting blond sycamore wood that with the mirrored back and setback glass shelves sets off the interior in a light, bright contrast. This traditional English drinks cabinet...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Walnut

THOMASVILLE Red & Black Lacquered Asian Campaign Style Console Cabinet
Located in Charlotte, NC
An Asian Campaign style console cabinet by Thomasville. Solid hardwood with red & black lacquer, gold painted accents, smooth square edged top, brass hardware & accents, hexagon shap...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Gothic Revival Drinks Cabinet w Church Window Panels and Angel sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Another piece of Gothic Art furniture. This time with a special feature. This handcrafted Gothic Revival cabinet or credenza with drawer from the late 19th century is actually made ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Wrought Iron

Danish Bar Cabinet by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund
Located in Karlstad, SE
"Captains bar" designed by Reno Wahl Iversen for Dyrlund, Denmark. The bar is made of rosewood with elegant details in brass. The black laminated top can be folded out to prepare dri...
Category

20th Century Danish Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

1800s Carved Cedar Chest Blanket Trunk
Located in Germantown, MD
Large 48 inches one of a kind antique carved wood chest / trunk / cedar chest. Features intricate hand carved details and a unique style and character. Solid carved wood frame and with great patina and finish. Spacious enough to hold many items and perfect to double as a coffee table or put at the foot of a bed or in an entryway, photo shoot prop, wedding decor...
Category

Early 19th Century North American Antique Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Oak

1960's Danish Teak Drinks Cabinet / Bar by Dyrlund
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very practical vintage Danish drinks cabinet / dry bar. This was made by Dyrlund, it dates from the 1960’s. It has a very clever...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Formica, Teak

Art Deco Style Cabinet in Oak with Bronze
Located in Mexico, Ciudad de México
Cabinet made in mahogany and oak woods. The legs and handles are done in bronze, with its dark wood finish, creating the most elegant combination. It ´s named the Collector ´s Cabine...
Category

2010s Mexican Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Bronze

SELVA Italy Art Deco Style Mirrored Bar Cabinet
Located in Doylestown, PA
Exquisite Art Deco mahogany bar cabinet with drop front door by SELVA, Italy. This is a stunning cabinet expertly handcrafted by one of Italy's premier luxury furniture houses, S...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Modernist Campaign Chest for Henredon
Located in Denton, TX
A pair of console cabinets from Henredon's Artefacts Collection, designed in a campaign style. Crafted from oak with a subtly distressed finish, it showcases banded door fronts, a sl...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Drexel Accolade II Collection Campaign-Style Flip-Top Dry Bar Cabinet, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
A 1970s campaign-style flip-top rolling dry bar or cabinet from Drexel’s Accolade II collection. A super handsome piece dressed top-to-bottom and...
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

English Country Cocktail Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
English Country cocktail cabinet - An oak and brass bound travel trunk style wine and cocktail cabinet with a hinged lid. The front panel is lined wi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

English Country Cocktail Cabinet
English Country Cocktail Cabinet
H 48.75 in W 23 in D 23 in
Campaign Style Dry Bar Black Flip Top by Drexel Attr to Accolade II Collection
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Campaign style dry bar in a medium-dark veneer, possibly pecan, with a black dyed wood top, an interior black laminate flip top, and antiqued brass plated hardware a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Metal, Brass

Campaign Style Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Campaign style cabinet with two drawers, two doors, and hand-cast polished brass hardware has a “rustic” warm walnut finish with subtle visual d...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Wood

Campaign Style Cabinet
Campaign Style Cabinet
H 32.25 in W 32 in D 18 in
Vintage Tambour Roll Bar Liquor Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A very unusual vintage bar, the domed tambour top opening to reveal a fitted interior with various compartments above a useful pull-out surface for mixing drinks, the whole raised on...
Category

Late 20th Century French Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Cherry

Handcrafted Campaign Chest Field Bar in Walnut and Brass by Alabama Sawyer
Located in Birmingham, AL
This handcrafted Campaign chest field bar in walnut and brass is the result of a unique partnership among Southern artisans. This Campaign Chest, an expressi...
Category

2010s American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

Pair of Hendredon Military Campaign Display Drinks Cabinets Spotlights & Power
Located in GB
We are delighted to this stunning pair of fully restored Henredon military Campaign style drinks or media cabinets with power and spot lights This pair are very substantial and we...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Glass, Wood

Harrods London Kennedy Furniture Military Campaign Drinks Cabinet Side Table
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very well made Kennedy Furniture retailed through Harrods London side table sized drinks cabinet with lock and key A popular design, milita...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Mahogany

Nice Vintage Yew Wood Drinks Military Campaign Cabinet Cupboard Chest of Drawers
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this well made antique Military Campaign drinks cupboard in yew wood with brass hard wear A functional an...
Category

20th Century English Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Yew

Drexel Heritage Accolade Campaign Style Brass Accent Server Dry Bar
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Dorothy Draper style campaign server bar cart on casters made by esteemed US furniture maker Drexel Heritage circa 1970s. Old growth flaxen flared grai...
Category

1970s American Vintage Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Drexel Midcentury Campaign Style Dry Bar Cart Server
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous midcentury rolling bar cart, dry bar or server by Drexel. Constructed from beautifully grained walnut and finished on all sides. Made in the Campaign style with a flip topex...
Category

20th Century American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Rolling Flip Top Bar Cart Attributed to J. L. Metz Contempora
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome bar cart, dry bar, or tea cart. It is rolling with storage and a flip open top. Attributed to J. L. Metz Furniture Company from their Contempora line. Made of weathered cher...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Campaign Dry Bars

Materials

Brass

Campaign dry bars for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Campaign dry bars for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage dry bars created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with hardwood, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Campaign dry bars made in a specific country, there are Europe, Denmark, and England pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original dry bars, popular names associated with this style include Reno Wahl Iversen, Century Furniture, Drylund, and Henredon. 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 dry bars differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,238 and tops out at $3,627 while the average work can sell for $3,433.

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