One Piece Georgian Campaign Chest

An early, mahogany Campaign Chest made as one piece.

This chest was made before it was considered that two halves, without over hanging moulding, would be more practical for travel. It was clearly made for travel though from the strong construction to the flush handles. The top is made from one piece of mahogany with the thumbnail moulding to the front and sides cut from the board rather than applied. Whereas you might expect the drawer dividers to be faced in mahogany, they are solid. Added to this one inch wide mahogany bars were added to the secondary wood as runners for the drawers to sit on. Typically, these would be pine and so would wear over time. The reeded moulding to the bottom of the chest is also cut from the solid plinth base that has been applied to the front and sides of the chest.

The configuration of three, equally sized short drawers to the top with two long drawers below is unusual. They have brass skeletal campaign handles that can be considered small. The drawer linings are cedar with mahogany bases, which is always a sign of quality. The feet are removable and have a push in lug which at some stage have had a wedge added to make a tighter fit. They are heavy set and are turned with three graduated rings.

This is an interesting campaign chest and, along with the other two early chests shown here, illustrate how makers developed this type of furniture for travel. It still has moulding to the edges, but it doesn't overhang as far as with domestic furniture. The construction is much stronger, leading to a heavier chest, but it is much better suited to travel for it. The maker realised that removable feet were more practical than a bracket foot. Circa 1820.