China Trade Antique Campaign Chest
China Trade Antique Campaign Chest
7426
This two part campaign chest is made of a rich golden camphor wood off set by reeded ebony edges and stringing decoration to the front.
As with much camphor wood campaign furniture it is China Trade in origin. That is, made to the Western taste by Chinese cabinet makers in the ports of the Orient, for sale either to travellers on their way further east or for export. The strong smell of the camphor deterred insects, which would have been appealing to the traveller. It is a large size with five long drawers and stands on turned, ebonised bun feet with brass handles to the sides. The majority of Chinese Export campaign chests have handles to the sides, suggesting that they were never offered with packing case but were perhaps lashed with canvas for protection. The flush drawer handles are western in design but Chinese in manufacture. The backs plates are made of sheet brass with cast bailes, and some are stamped with Chinese characters.
Mid 19th century.
Dimensions:
Mid 19th century.
camphorwood
Chinese Export
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