Wonderful Georgian Solid Walnut Campaign Chest c. 1810

£2,900

Dated

c.1810

Dimensions

45.25 inches high, 18 inches deep, 40inches wide. Upper and lower case divide at 25.25 inches from floor.

For metric please multiply by 2.5

Full Description

A very fine quality solid walnut campaign chest in wonderful original condition and dating from 1790-1810.

The whole with original timbers in solid walnut including the top and sides and dust boards and also the drawer fronts and the side boards of each drawer lining. Only the drawer bases are not walnut, these are camphor wood and still retain a lovely spiced aroma.

The chest retains its original brass recessed campaign handles, brass straps and cappings. Original removable feet also and a very good fielded panel back, also in solid walnut boards.

When you see that a Georgian cabinet maker has spent so much time on the back boards of a piece, it is a clear indicator of the quality of the cabinet and the pride that they took in the finish.

The back, rarely seen, is often quite rough and unfinished but here each panel is shaped, chamfered and fielded within a solid frame.

The chest divides at the waist into two sections for transport.

The upper case with two banks of two drawers flanking a central secretaire above three long principal drawers.

These retain two original steel locks and one has a 19th Century brass replacement.

The lock of the secretaire section has been forced at some point – the key must have been lost - and there is a small old repair below the escutcheon and some restoration around the replacement brass lock (which has a working key).

There is also a small small professional patched repair to the top which is very difficult to see.

The high quality of the cabinet work including the superbly cut dovetails to the drawers, are those of a master maker and this would have been an extremely expensive piece of furniture when made.

The secretaire section has original walnut slender dividers creating pigeon holes.

The brass bracket on which the fall descends is period but not original in our view.

The colour is fantastic and the condition really superb for age.

This came from a private vendor who has cared for and used the chest for many decades.