Campaign Chest By S.W. Silver

A mahogany two-part Campaign Chest by S.W. Silver & Co. of London and Liverpool.

This chest was made with shipboard use a strong consideration in its finishing. The iron carry handles to the sides indicate it was never intended to have packing cases and they would make it easier to move in and out of a cabin. Added to this there are a series of holes around the outside edge of the top which show the chest originally had a removable gallery to prevent items sliding off.

The flush brass handles are stamped S.W. Silver & Co. London & Liverpool. This was typical of S.W. Silver although you do get variations in the address used. The drawers have a fine line cut to the edge as a moulding and a concession to decoration.

The chest has had running repairs and, as can be seen on the side view photo, there is a patch to one side of the chest that is the full height of the top section. When first done this was probably not noticeable but time has meant the two different pieces of wood have aged differently in colour. There is also a much smaller triangular patch to the bottom section on the other side. One of the short, top drawers has an old but stable split. The blocks and feet have been replaced but to the correct SW Silver design.

S.W. Silver were important makers of campaign furniture and travel equipment and more can be read on them in our Makers file. Circa 1860.