19th-Century Anglo-Indian Campaign Folding Chair in Faux Bamboo with Hand-Woven Cane — Colonial Era Elegance

This exquisite 19th-century Anglo-Indian Campaign folding chair showcases the refined balance of practicality and decorative artistry that defined the British Colonial era. Crafted in a faux bamboo hardwood frame—a style that became popular under designers like Thomas Chippendale in the late 18th century—this chair honors both the exotic influences of India and the sophisticated tastes of British officers who traveled with foldable, portable furniture.

The chair features hand-woven cane panels on the seat and backrest, executed in the traditional hexagonal pattern typical of Indian craftsmanship in the 1800s. The leather tension straps on each side provide stabilization and support, elevating the design toward the iconic portable seating used throughout colonial estates, military outposts, and grand tropical verandas.

Its lightweight construction, foldable mechanism, and elegant silhouette make it an ideal collectible for lovers of colonial décor, British India history, travel-inspired interiors, and bamboo-style furniture.

Era & Style

• Style: Anglo-Indian, British Colonial, Faux Bamboo

• Era: Late 19th Century (circa 1880–1900)

• Influences: Thomas Chippendale’s “Chinese Chippendale” bamboo designs, traditional Indian caning techniques, campaign furniture used by officers of the British Empire

Materials

• Wood: Hardwood carved to resemble natural bamboo (typical of colonial faux bamboo furniture)

• Seat & Backrest: Hand-woven natural cane

• Support Straps: Early leather straps used for structural tension

Measurements 

• Width:  22.44 in

• Depth:  18.11 in

• Total Height:  35.43 in

• Seat Height:  19.68 in

Characteristics

• Foldable Campaign construction

• Faux bamboo turned wood posts

• Hand-caned seat and back

• Leather support straps

• Colonial tropical aesthetic

• Warm golden patina with age

• Lightweight yet structurally refined

• Historically linked to travel, expeditions, and verandah living

Additional Notes 

The natural variation in the faux bamboo carving, the patina, and the tension strap hardware are consistent with late 19th-century Anglo-Indian workshops, especially those active in Bombay (Mumbai) and Calcutta (Kolkata).

The woven cane shows the irregularities expected of authentic handwork, and the frame’s shape echoes the campaign furniture movement, where portability was essential for officers stationed in India and Southeast Asia.

Story 

Imagine this chair traveling through the warm, sunlit verandas of a colonial bungalow in late 19th-century India. Perhaps it belonged to a British officer, folded neatly among his belongings as he moved from post to post across the subcontinent. Each time he unfolded it—whether to enjoy tea in the fading afternoon light or to write letters home—it became part of a life filled with exploration, distance, and the meeting of two worlds.

The faux bamboo carving reflects Europe's fascination with the East, while the intricate hand-woven cane represents centuries of Indian craftsmanship. Together, they form a unique symbol of cultural blending, luxury, and practicality. Today, this rare piece carries with it the quiet dignity of its journeys, ready to bring warmth, history, and character to a new home—whether in a curated collector’s space or a beautifully styled contemporary interior.