Portable Writing & Dressing Table

This piece of Georgian mahogany furniture is a combination of both a washstand or dressing table and a secretaire.

Giving a piece of furniture a dual purpose, such as this, is not uncommon in campaign furniture and increases its practicality. The top has two flaps which enclose a mirror that can be set at five angles and two removable boxes and trays. When the top is opened the undersides of the flaps also give additional surface area. The top drawer has a baised writing surface which slides along the width of the drawer to access the well below. This drawer also has an area to the side with dividers and a secret drawer and a smaller drawer that pulls out of its side as a desk tidy. Below the secretaire drawer is a lined wash basin drawer with a drainage tap and a further standard drawer below. The two short drawers to the side of these drawers are in fact one deep drawer to take bottles or a water jug. The locks to this drawer and the washbasin have key locating pins which in fact slide to operate the lock. As you might expect from a piece of campaign equipment, the legs are removable to give a basic box shape for ease of transport. A well made piece of portable furniture. Circa 1820.

Dimensions with the top closed are given.