Folding Campaign Shelves

A set of satin birch, folding campaign shelves.

They are made to a known but uncommon design. We have only had 4 sets of this form of campaign shelves in over 20 years. Like much good design, it is simple but very effective.

The four boards that make the frame are hinged to each other and mitred to their ends, where they meet. The vertical, side boards are cut to their middle and joined by hinges. The two shelves slot into rebates cut into the interior sides of the vertical side boards. It is the shelf boards that lock the frame into position. When they are removed, the frame will collapse on its hinges with the two-part vertical side boards folding into the centre of the frame. In doing so, the height of the frame collapses with all of its boards resting parallel on top of each other.

The top of the shelves have a hinged, replaced cresting rail. The shelves are also replaced and were done sometime ago. They are made of stained pine with a show wood moulding to the front edge whereas we would expect them to be solid satin birch. No doubt the originals were either lost or damaged at some point. The mitred edges have some wear as to be expected.

These shelves are a good size and were made to both sit on top of a campaign chest or to free stand. The wood has taken on a rich colour that looks like a mahogany or walnut. Mid to late 19th century.

Size set up is given.