19th Century Camphor Wood Campaign Chest with Fitted Desk Drawer

Antique Camphor Wood Campaign Chest with Fitted Desk Drawer, most likely British, Mid 19th Century, a high quality campaign piece made in two pieces from beautiful camphor wood, light and bright and well maintained with a natural glossy finish. The top drawer pulls out and folds down to reveal a wool felt writing surface backed by a series of pigeon holes above shallow drawers, the rightmost one of which has an interior fitted to hold pens, stamps, nibs, ink bottles and other accoutrements (not present); above two side-by-side drawers over two full drawers. The chest has inset brass pulls (which for some reason appear darker on the right than left in the photos), heavy brass bail handles on the sides, and is raised on flattened bun feet.

This chest is a stunner, and is in excellent, strong condition, although the top surface bears an old “Dutchman” repair where a long slender triangle of wood was professionally inlaid into the board. This was likely done in the 19th Century while in use; the placement and nature of the inlay suggests it was to repair a chop mark in the wood, as if from a hatchet.

Measures: 42 in H x 39-1/4 in W x 19-1/8 in Deep