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ID #SA1240726
FOR SALE
£3,250
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Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest
For sale by LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
for sale €3,803     $4,128
£3,250
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK

LTANTIQUES.CO.UK

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2011
Browse dealers 282 items
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Id #SA1240726
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Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest

19th century
For Sale by LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
Description

A fine and rare Victorian military campaign secretaire chest, dating from around 1840. Beautifully constructed from richly figured camphor wood, this piece was designed for use by British officers during overseas campaigns, most likely in colonial India or the East. Camphor wood was highly prized not only for its attractive grain and warm tone but also for its distinctive aromatic scent and natural resistance to insects, making it ideal for travel furniture.

The chest is built in two sections, allowing for easier transportation—an essential feature of true campaign furniture. Its clean lines and solid construction are complemented by recessed brass campaign handles.

At the top of the chest is a well-appointed secretaire compartment, concealed behind a fall-front panel that opens to reveal a new leather-lined writing surface hand dyed to create a soft olive green colour. The interior is fitted with a series of small drawers, pigeonholes for documents, and a central cupboard with a turned handle.

Below the writing compartment are two short drawers above 2 full width drawers, each fitted with inset brass handles and brass escutcheons.

This secretaire chest remains in excellent antique condition, there is however a slight warp in the top surface due to the nature of the wood.

W 111cm (43.5")

D 52cm (20.5")

H 110cm (43.25")

Physical Dimensions
Height
110cm (43.31")
Width
111cm (43.70")
Depth
52cm (20.47")
Declaration

LTANTIQUES.CO.UK has dated this Victorian Campaign Secretaire Chest to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1240726
Dealers Internal Reference
REEX250604B
Dealers Notes

England delivery is included on items listed over £500.

We can deliver all over the world, please request a quote along with your delivery postcode for an accurate price.

All measurements are taken at the widest points.

Please call 07799880163 or 01634233280 for more information on this item.

We recommend that you arrange an appointment to view the items before you buy them. Appointments to view our stock can be arranged by contacting us via email or you can call 07799880163 or 01634233280 (lines open 9am-10pm, 365 days a year)

Appointments can be made 7 days a week, daytime or evening appointments offered subject to availability.

Please take time to visit our website WWW.LTANTIQUES.CO.UK to view more images and stock

Description
A fine and rare Victorian military campaign secretaire chest, dating from around 1840.
“
Beautifully constructed from richly figured camphor wood, this piece was designed for use by British officers during overseas campaigns, most likely in colonial India or the East.
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK

Camphor wood was highly prized not only for its attractive grain and warm tone but also for its distinctive aromatic scent and natural resistance to insects, making it ideal for travel furniture.

fig 1. A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
fig 1. Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest

The chest is built in two sections, allowing for easier transportation—an essential feature of true campaign furniture. Its clean lines and solid construction are complemented by recessed brass campaign handles.

fig 2. A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
fig 2. Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest

At the top of the chest is a well-appointed secretaire compartment, concealed behind a fall-front panel that opens to reveal a new leather-lined writing surface hand dyed to create a soft olive green colour. The interior is fitted with a series of small drawers, pigeonholes for documents, and a central cupboard with a turned handle.

fig 3. A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
fig 3. Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest

Below the writing compartment are two short drawers above 2 full width drawers, each fitted with inset brass handles and brass escutcheons.

This secretaire chest remains in excellent antique condition, there is however a slight warp in the top surface due to the nature of the wood.

W 111cm (43.5")

D 52cm (20.5")

H 110cm (43.25")

Height
110cm (43.31")
Width
111cm (43.70")
Depth
52cm (20.47")
Date of Manufacture

LTANTIQUES.CO.UK has dated this Victorian Campaign Secretaire Chest to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1240726
Dealers Internal Ref
REEX250604B
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2011

Specialists in all periods of english furniture

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the LTANTIQUES.CO.UK Profile Page

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A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
1 / 14
Archive I A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.

Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest

Archive II A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View II
Archive III A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View III
Archive IV A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View IV
Archive V A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View V
Archive VI A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View VI
Archive VII A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View VII
Archive VIII A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View VIII
Archive IX A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View IX
Archive X A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View X
Archive XI A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View XI
Archive XII A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View XII
Archive XIII A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View XIII
Archive XIV A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet. View XIV
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LTANTIQUES.CO.UK

LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
Telephone 01634 233280 or 07799 880 163
Location
White Hill Road
Detling
Nr Maidstone
Kent
ME14 3HH
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/lta
Verified Since Jan 2011
Items For Sale 282
Items Sold 101
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
LTANTIQUES.CO.UK
Verified Since Jan 2011
View Dealer Info
Location: White Hill Road , Detling , Nr Maidstone, Kent , ME14 3HH, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/lta
Verified
Jan 2011
For Sale
282
Sold
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A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
Victorian Camphor Wood Military Campaign Secretaire Chest
Ref: SA1240726
A Victorian two-part camphor wood military campaign chest featuring a secretaire top drawer, flush brass recessed handles, and turned bun feet.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectChests of Drawers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Campaign
  • MaterialCamphor Wood, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsFlush brass handles, Two-part modular construction, Fall-front secretaire drawer, Turned bun feet
  • SizeH 110 cm (43 in) x W 111 cm (44 in) x D 52 cm (20 in)

This Victorian campaign secretaire chest is a modular two-part piece constructed from richly figured camphor wood in a warm brown colour. Built in two separate sections for ease of transport during overseas service, the chest rests on turned bun feet and displays clean lines with subtle edge mouldings framing the drawer fronts. The hardware includes recessed flush brass handles and brass escutcheons, complemented by a keyhole in the top fall-front secretaire drawer. The upper drawer folds down to reveal a writing surface accompanied by small internal drawers and pigeonholes. Below the secretaire compartment sit two half-width short drawers over two full-width long drawers. Measuring 110 cm high, 111 cm wide and 52 cm deep, this chest provides functional storage and a compact writing desk surface. Suitable for placement in a gentleman's library, a home study, a hallway or a bedroom, the modular chest serves as a practical focal point for storing garments or documents while adding a traditional campaign aesthetic to an interior space.

FAQs

A military campaign secretaire chest is a modular piece of 19th-century furniture designed for easy transport by military officers during deployment. It typically features a two-part split construction, flush brass hardware to prevent damage during transit, and a fall-front top drawer containing an internal writing desk.

Campaign chests were commonly constructed from durable hardwoods such as teak, mahogany, or camphor wood. Camphor wood was particularly favoured for travel due to its natural aromatic oils that repelled insects and resisted humidity.

Authentic examples exhibit a two-part body designed to separate into two halves, often with carrying handles on the sides. Key indicators include flush-fitting brass corner brackets, embedded drawer handles, and evidence of heavy hand-cut mortise and tenon joinery.

Position the chest against a neutral or dark backdrop to highlight the timber grain and brass fittings. Combine it with modern desk accessories, minimalist ceramics, or framed botanical prints to balance its structured, utilitarian profile.

Dust surfaces using a dry cloth and apply a beeswax polish sparingly along the natural grain to maintain the finish. Avoid positioning the piece near direct heat sources or radiators to prevent wood shrinkage and splitting.
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