A British colonial camphor secretaire chest of drawers, solidly constructed of wide planks of richly grained camphor and decorated with nicely contrasting ebony.

It consists of two parts. The top part with the secretaire or writing drawer positioned above one large drawer. The writing flap pulls out and drops down to reveal a fitted interior with a central lockable compartment flanked by four drawers with ebony pulls. The writing surface with replaced black leather.

The bottom part with two drawers of equal size. All of the drawers are flush fitting with the original recessed brass handles. It features ebony banding around the top, the edges and the drawer fronts. On the sides brass carrying handles. This piece rests on solid camphor bracket feet.

Campaign or “knock down” furniture was portable military furniture and used by British officers when they set out for a campaign in India. However, because campaign furniture was extremely versatile, it also appealed to home owners who appreciated its elegance, strength and ease of storage.

Find out more about Campaign Furniture.

This secretaire chest of drawers has been sold. Please keep checking our website as we may add a similar piece.

 

Calcutta
British colonial India
H: 107 cm W: 103 cm D: 50 cm
H: 42” W: 40 ½” D: 20”