The Design and Technical Basics of British Campaign Furniture

Abstract

British officers of high social position in the Georgian and Victorian periods (1714-1901) took it for granted that when they set out on a military campaign in Africa or India they could enjoy the same standard of living as they did at home. While “ under canvas,” as life in camp was called, an officer and gentleman assured himself a high degree of comfort by using specially designed pieces of campaign, or knockdown, furniture. The only real difference between fine household furniture and its campaign counterpart was that the latter could be quickly folded up, packed away in boxes and transported everywhere easily and conveniently. Officer’s campaign furniture included chests, writing desks, bookcases, games tables, chairs, beds, sofa and washstands. Durability and comfort were the most important characteristic of campaign furniture, the campaign furniture logo "Don't make yourself feel uncomfortable for the lack of things you're used to, this is the great secret of camp life", as campaign furniture was made of the best materials and was usually made of beautiful forest wood carved into modern designs and furniture is filled inside its own box or cloth cover to protect furniture during transportation. The campaign furniture is not only durable and practical, but also elegant and designed with the latest contemporary taste. The innovation of campaign furniture is more than just an attractive chapter in British history but it is a good example of how cultural characteristics may lead to a unique type of furniture that can be filled and moved, as it contains the skills of the finest makers and designers of the 18th and 19th centuries and today the increased interest of designers in this furniture requires a thorough examination of every aspect of these ingenious pieces and the circumstances in which they were made...

Keywords

• campaign furniture; knock-down furniture; design basics