Lincoln Restorations has dated this Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk to the Victorian era.
A rare Military Camphor wood campaign chest.
It is constructed from solid Camphor wood, a material historically favoured by British officers and colonial officials for its striking honey-toned grain and its potent, clean aromatic oils. These natural resins provided an essential service during long sea voyages and tropical postings, acting as a natural deterrent against moths and insects to protect fine wool and silk uniforms. The interior retains this iconic menthol aroma today and remains in remarkably clean condition, the lid is also supported by a sturdy folding brass stay. The craftsmanship of this piece is truly distinguished by its use of "Full-Blind" or Secret Mitred Dovetail joinery. While the exterior presents the seamless, clean aesthetic of a mitred corner, the structure is actually held together by hand-cut interlocking dovetails hidden entirely within the wood. This sophisticated technique required the hand of a master cabinetmaker and offers immense structural integrity that far exceeds standard military-issue trunks. Slight evidence of this superior joinery can be observed upon close inspection of the interior corners, serving as a testament to its high-quality commission origins. Unusually, the lid is also rebated into the base which allows the lid to seal perfectly onto the base when closed to further stop insects and dust and even the base board is 1 piece solid camphor wood showing hand plane marks.
The chest is further enhanced by its original military-grade hardware, including flush-mounted brass edge-banding and robust brass dropper handles at either end. All of the brassware is polished and is bright, providing a stunning contrast against the warm wood tones. A classic rounded military fold-flat handle is featured on the front of the lid, maintaining the trunk's sleek profile. Importantly this stunning chest retains its original working warded lock protected by a brass keyhole escutcheon and it is accompanied by its rare original key.
Having been sympathetically restored, the chest preserves its original glazed French polished finish with lots of patina and character, which has been carefully hand-waxed to highlight the deep natural patina and provide a lustrous shine. This versatile piece would make a magnificent statement coffee table or a sophisticated storage chest, offering a perfect blend of historic character and modern functional elegance.
Please note this item is in very good condition for its age but will obviously have the odd blemish and scuff here and there, however we feel that this adds to the charm of the item with it being antique .
Dimensions
External size
Height: 400mm
Width: 890mm
Depth: 465mm
Delivery
Insured courier normally around £60 for this item - Enquire for accurate quote*
Lincoln Restorations has dated this Camphor Wood Campaign Trunk to the Victorian era.
Specialist antique furniture and safe restorers. - to buy from US, please visit our website and search for the item number (numbers only) -
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Lincoln Restorations Profile Page
Victorian Military Camphor Wood Campaign Chest Travel Trunk Blanket Box With Key
