Three Part Antique Campaign Chest by Gregory Kane of Dublin

A little unusual in design, this mahogany secretaire chest has a cupboard to the top making it a tall piece of furniture.

Although you occasionally see other campaign chests with cupboards to the top, they are often Anglo-Indian and lift off as a separate cabinet. The cupboard section to this chest by Gregory Kane is made to dismantle with the 2 mahogany edged shelves pulling out and the top unlocking from its brass fittings to the sides. The carved cornice is hinged to the top so it will also fold flat. The backboard is bolted to the sides and is hinged to fold to half its size. The doors lift off on their hinges from the sides which in turn are hinged to fall onto the top half of the chest.

The formation of the chest is also a little different to the norm with a bank of 4 small drawers over the half size secretaire drawer and its plain companion. The secretaire interior is faced with walnut and has a burgundy leather writing surface with Kane's gilt stamped name and address details of 68 - 69 Dame Street, Dublin. The secretaire drawer, being the most important, has the strongest lock which is a Chubb. The company's registration number dates the lock the 15th November 1850. This date ties in nicely with Kane's address dates. An exceptional campaign chest. Circa 1850.