Colonial Mahogany & Brass Military Campaign Chest

Antique Colonial Mahogany & Brass Military Campaign Chest of Drawers (Circa 1850)

Here is an example of a superb quality and rare antique colonial military campaign mahogany two-part chest of drawers, circa 1850.

Summary
• Item Campaign Chest
• Circa 1850
• Provenance England
• Copmanthorpe Station, York (Great Northern Railway) label
• Wood Solid mahogany
• Single piece top
• Dismantles into two sections
• Brass inset handles to front
• Brass inset carrying handles
• Brass mounted corners
• Brass bindings / corner brackets
• Brass round key escutcheons
• Working locks and key
• Two over three drawer design
• Hand-dovetail drawer construction
• Screw-on turned feet
• Original top and bottom
• Original pine back
• Original polish
• Stunning colour & patination
• Excellent proportions
• Dismantles into two sections
• Free 14 day UK returns period

Here is an example of a superb quality and rare antique colonial military campaign mahogany two-part chest of drawers, circa 1850. Constructed with a single piece top, it has shaped brass inset handles to the front and sides brass mounted corner brackets and brass escutcheons all of which are all in excellent condition. The brass mounted corner brackets and brass straps were used to protect the chest whilst in transit during campaigns. The chest was built using a two over three-drawer design. The drawers are designed with cushion fronts. The drawers also feature the original elegantly shaped round brass key escutcheons. All drawers are in excellent working order and are clean inside. The chest is constructed of solid mahogany and has lovely hand-dovetailed drawer construction. The back features the original pine boards. The drawers feature working locks and a key. The later turned feet are detachable and are screwed on with a wooden thread (as originally designed). The chest splits into two sections for easy transportation.

The chest has a rich mahogany brown colour. As it boasts the original polish, it has a fantastic colour and patination this can only be achieved through age and years of care and cleaning it has received.

This item would look superb in a variety of rooms, especially the bedroom. This military chest of drawers would certainly grace any home. So don’t miss out your chance to own a lovely piece of furniture.

Provenance
This chest was most likely constructed in England and then shipped to one of the British colonies, most likely India where it would have been used. We think it is of English origin because it is quite a refined and well-made chest. On one of the top drawers is a label, “Simkin of London, Upholstery& Furnishing Expert”. We are unsure whether this label is the name of the cabinetmaker or a London repository.

On the bottom section of the chest (see photo), there is another label, which faintly reads, “Copmanthorpe Station, Great Northern Railway, York”. It is very difficult to make out the top two lines on this label. Copmanthorpe had a station until 1964 and the Great Northern Railway was the original company before various train company mergers. This label was most likely a transport label.

Campaign chests such as this were commissioned for a member of the British Raj or a high-ranking officer in the British Army during the reign of Queen Victoria in colonial India and other British colonies during the 19th Century. Mahogany & teak was used extensively for military chests because they had the advantage of only minimally expanding and contracting when exposed to extremes in temperature and humidity, was probably the most commonly used wood. It was resistant to woodworm, termites, and the occasional splash of seawater.

Dimensions:
Height = 107.2cm or 42¼” or 3ft 6¼”
Width = 102.5cm or 40¼” or 3ft 4¼”
Depth = 47cm or 18½” or 1ft 6½”