Chinese Export Campaign Chest with Cupboard

A three part China Trade Campaign Chest likely to be Persian lilac wood with camphor for the secondary wood.

The top section is a cupboard with two linen press slides with the two sections below plain drawers. The middle section has two short drawers above one long whilst the bottom section has two long drawers. The chest sits on bracket feet and each section has replaced carrying handles to the sides.

The flush brass drawers handles are common to many Chinese Export campaign chests. The drawers fronts have inlaid horn line decoration, another feature known to Chinese campaign furniture. The chest has raised round escutcheons and pseudo Bramah locks. The cabinet maker has also written 'Up' in Mandarin to the inside of the backboards, further confirming its origin. The brass drawer handles are typical of Chinese Export chests as are the brass carrying handles to the sides, which you are unlikely to find on an English campaign chest. The chest stands on bracket feet.

The cupboard top sections to this chest means it offers plenty of storage space with the linen slides adding variety to the drawers. The camphor is also a good deterrent to moths etc. Mid to late 19th Century.