S.W. Silver Secretaire Campaign Chest

A mahogany Secretaire Campaign Chest by S.W. Silver with a full-length desk drawer.

The writing area is lined in replaced dark blue baize and has a bank of three drawers, faced in maple to each side. There are no dividers for inkwells etc. to any of these drawers. Between them is a long open space, for papers, with four pigeon holes above. This drawer has a Bramah lock but judging by the key, the lock interior has been simplified at a later stage to allow a key to be easily made.

The drawer fronts to the chest are cut with a line mould to their edge to add a little decoration. An interesting detail we haven't seen before is the use of angled steel plates screwed to the underside of the drawer and the back for added strength. There is also a shorter steel plate uniting the front of the underside of the drawer with the face. Originally the chest had iron handles to the sides but these were removed some time ago with the screw holes patched out. The chest has a S.W. Silver embossed metal plaque shield plaque to the back. The drawer handles are marked S.W. Silver & Co. London & Liverpool.

The mahogany on this chest has faded to a good honey colour. The full length secretaire drawer makes this a practical chest for working at and is by a good maker. 2nd Half 19th Century.