Rare Small Anglo Indian Brass Bound Teak Campaign Chest, Circa 1830

This teak wood military campaign chest in two sections with brass recessed handles, iron side carrying handles, raised on shaped bracket feet.

Campaign or traveling furniture is unique.  It was designed to be folded up, packed and carried on military campaigns around the world and goes back as far as the Romans.  But it was the English furniture makers in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries that perfected the style.  English gentlemen in the Georgian and Victorian periods (1714 – 1901)  had to pay for their commissions in the armed forces and therefore had to come from well to do  backgrounds. They also had to pay for their uniforms and equipment.  They had very discriminating taste and wanted to enjoy the same privileges in the military as they did at home.  They desired stylish high-quality, portable, folding furniture made to mimic the latest fashions.

This beautiful Campaign furniture soon became a reflection of their status. The finest British furniture makers (Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite) produced  these “knock-down” pieces for this new class of traveler. Such pieces as chairs, tables, desks, beds, sofas, bookcases, chests, personal kits for shaving and other accessories  would be made with recessed hardware, carrying handles, brass bound corners so it wouldn’t be damaged in shipping.

For reference see “British Campaign Furniture, Elegance under Canvas 1740-1914” by Nicholas A. Brawer.

• Indian Circa 1830
• Height: 36" | Width: 28.5" | Depth: 14"
• Item #6683
• Price: $15,000