Page 6 - VE Magazine- Issue 51 - Free Digital Edition

WAR & PIECES Specifically made to disassemble for ease of travel, campaign furniture is ingenious – and very stylish By Sean Clarke AN OLD COPY OF the Army & Navy Society’s catalogue will show numerous items of cam- paign furniture – from portable beds to collapsible candlesticks – that were available to ease life for the soldier or traveller at the end of the 19th century. The Society followed on from a strong British tradition of innovative and practical design in portable fur- niture that had its roots in the 18th century and grew as the Empire expanded. The vast majority of campaign furniture is of British origin, or was made in the col- onies for the British market. The British Army was unlike any other in that ranks could be Above: An iron bound, painted pine trunk by J.T. Thompson that opens to form a six feet long brass and iron bed with canopy. Left: An Anglo Indian teak campaign wardrobe that packs down to fit into its frame base. Early to mid 19th century 6 / April-May 2020 / ve www.vintagexplorer.co.uk