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ID #SA1245384
FOR SALE
£16,850
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A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk
For sale by Loveday Antiques
for sale €19,715     $21,400
£16,850
Loveday Antiques

Loveday Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2012
Browse dealers 74 items
  • About Us
    Specialist furniture dealers 18th-20th century
  • Trade Associations
    Loveday Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA
Id #SA1245384
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A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

19th century
For Sale by Loveday Antiques
Description

Rare and outstanding example of an early 19th century Anglo-Chinese export amboyna and ebony campaign kneehole desk retaining the original patina with wonderful colour.

China circa 1830

One of the finest examples you will see, constructed using thick hand sawn cuts of amboyna and solid ebony with ivory stringing and countersunk brass pulls to the camphor wood lined drawers, having brass drop carrying handles to each side. The rectangular top with book matched amboyna veneers enclosed by a solid ebony boarder above a frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable inset velvet lined writing slope flanked by multiple sliding lidded compartments and pen rests.

Below is an arrangement of nine ivory strung drawers and a kneehole recess with foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, the whole being raised on eight solid ebony turned feet.

This impressive colonial inspired desk is Chinese and would have been intended for the export market. Some years back this desk was often mistaken to have been Anglo-Indian due to the fact it shares many characteristics of Indian furniture, this was due to the fact that many Chinese immigrant crasftman where employed to make Indian furniture.

The finest materials have been used for this desk, amboyna figuring is generally profuse but on this desk it is exceptional. The condition is also quite remarkable having a superb original untouched colour and patina.

Please note this piece has been registered with the government as exempt from the ivory ban as contains less than 10% therefore legal to sell to any collection.

Mallets owned a davenport of similar construction which is illustrated in the Mallet Millennium book page 195 plate 249.

Width: 41 1/4 inches - 104.5cm

Height: 31 3/4 inches - 80.5cm

Depth: 19 inches - 48.5cm

Date of Manufacture

Loveday Antiques has dated this Amboyna Campaign Kneehole Desk to the 19th Century.

Physical Dimensions
Height
80.5cm (31.69")
Width
104.5cm (41.14")
Depth
48.5cm (19.09")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1245384
Dealers Internal Reference
2861
Dealers Notes

Loveday Antiques is a family run business originally established since 1969 in London.

Now in its second generation, Loveday Antiques specialises in an eclectic mix of 18th to 20th Century European furniture and works of art, with a strong emphasis on quality, uniqueness and colour.

As proud members of BADA & LAPADA, the largest association for professional art and antique dealers in the United Kingdom and members of CINOA, the worldwide association for antique dealers you can buy from us with 100% confidence and reassurance as we are committed to upholding and abiding by the strict standards of each association.

Our clients can rest assured that each item is as described and photographed.

All Items are sold with 100% satisfaction 14 day money back guarantee, return delivery will be charged for.

We deliver within the UK for usually between £60-£80 and ship worldwide with professional bespoke crating via air to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

Delivery within the mainland UK will usually be with 7 to 14 days but please allow up to 28 days. We also ship worldwide with a professional bespoke crating service and large International couriers via air and sea to almost all locations. Please contact us at Loveday Antiques with your full postal address for a very competitive quote.

GOODS

All items listed are in excellent condition having been restored using traditional methods by experienced cabinet makers and polishers keeping the original colour and patina wherever possible.

Please bear in mind you may find the usual markings with antique furniture that are commensurate with age which all add to beauty and uniqueness of the item.

VIEWINGS

We have a reputation for being long established antique dealers in London having had showrooms concurrently running in Islington, Chelsea and Ascot. We have relocated our new showroom, due to London overheads, easily reached between A1 or A10 to just outside of Hertford, Hertfordshire.

We will happily arrange for clients to be collected travelling via train. Local stations being Hertford North, Stevenage and Ware, all being a 10 minute drive from us.

Please contact us for location and appointments.

Telephone: 01438 869 819

Payments accepted are Bank Transfer, Cheque, Major Credit Cards or Cash.

Opening Times

Monday to Saturday 9.00am - 5.30pm Please email or call beforehand to make an appointment.

If outside of these times again please call to make an appointment

We have more than 40 years experience in supplying Antique furniture to the trade, public and interior designers from all parts of the world so please buy with confidence as we have passed the test of time.

Description
Rare and outstanding example of an early 19th century Anglo-Chinese export amboyna and ebony campaign kneehole desk retaining the original patina with wonderful colour.

China circa 1830

One of the finest examples you will see, constructed using thick hand sawn cuts of amboyna and solid ebony with ivory stringing and countersunk brass pulls to the camphor wood lined drawers, having brass drop carrying handles to each side. The rectangular top with book matched amboyna veneers enclosed by a solid ebony boarder above a frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable inset velvet lined writing slope flanked by multiple sliding lidded compartments and pen rests.

“
Below is an arrangement of nine ivory strung drawers and a kneehole recess with foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, the whole being raised on eight solid ebony turned feet.
Loveday Antiques
fig 1. A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
fig 1. A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

This impressive colonial inspired desk is Chinese and would have been intended for the export market. Some years back this desk was often mistaken to have been Anglo-Indian due to the fact it shares many characteristics of Indian furniture, this was due to the fact that many Chinese immigrant crasftman where employed to make Indian furniture.

fig 2. A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
fig 2. A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

The finest materials have been used for this desk, amboyna figuring is generally profuse but on this desk it is exceptional. The condition is also quite remarkable having a superb original untouched colour and patina.

fig 3. A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
fig 3. A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

Please note this piece has been registered with the government as exempt from the ivory ban as contains less than 10% therefore legal to sell to any collection.

Mallets owned a davenport of similar construction which is illustrated in the Mallet Millennium book page 195 plate 249.

Width: 41 1/4 inches - 104.5cm

Height: 31 3/4 inches - 80.5cm

Depth: 19 inches - 48.5cm

Date of Manufacture

Loveday Antiques has dated this Amboyna Campaign Kneehole Desk to the 19th Century.

Height
80.5cm (31.69")
Width
104.5cm (41.14")
Depth
48.5cm (19.09")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1245384
Dealers Internal Ref
2861
Loveday Antiques
Loveday Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2012

Specialist furniture dealers 18th-20th century

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Loveday Antiques Profile Page

Trade Associations

Loveday Antiques is a registered member of LAPADA  BADA  CINOA

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SAVE
A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
1 / 9
Archive I A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.

A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk

Archive II A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View IV
Archive V A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View V
Archive VI A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View VI
Archive VII A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View VII
Archive VIII A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View VIII
Archive IX A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Telephone 01438 869819
Location
Benington
Hertfordshire
United Kingdom
Verified Since Mar 2012
Items For Sale 74
Items Sold 949
Loveday Antiques
Loveday Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Benington, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
Verified
Mar 2012
For Sale
74
Sold
949
A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
A Fine Chinese Export Amboyna and Ebony Campaign Kneehole Desk
Ref: SA1245384
A 19th-century Chinese export kneehole campaign desk crafted from figured amboyna wood with contrasting ebony borders and brass hardware.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail
Every single antique dealer on our platform is individually approved by our internal team. We verify their professional trade history, ethical standards, and photographic quality to ensure a secure, high-standard buying environment. Upon joining, every dealer agrees to a strict 9-point code of conduct. While issues can occasionally arise, our dealers typically resolve them swiftly and directly with the buyer. In fact, since our founding in 2002, Sellingantiques has only had to step in to help resolve an issue on roughly five occasions—a true testament to the quality of our dealers and their dedication to your happiness.
Our dealers are highly experienced in packing and shipping fragile, high-value antiques. Because you are in direct contact with the dealer, you will be able to easily go through all available shipping and insurance options together to ensure your item arrives safely.
Antiques are the ultimate green purchase. By choosing historical pieces over newly manufactured goods, you completely eliminate the carbon footprint of modern mass production while preserving exceptional, timeless craftsmanship.
Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectDesks
  • Period19th century
  • StyleChinese Export
  • MaterialAmboyna, Ebony, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsFigured amboyna veneers, Ebony mouldings, Brass carrying handles, Turned feet
  • SizeH 80.5 cm (32 in) x W 104.5 cm (41 in) x D 48.5 cm (19 in)

This nineteenth-century Chinese export campaign kneehole desk is a nineteenth-century Anglo-Chinese piece fashioned from amboyna, ebony, and brass. The furniture displays warm brown figured amboyna veneers across the rectangular top and multiple drawers, contrasted by dark ebony borders, delicate ivory stringing, and bright brass hardware including countersunk pulls and side carrying handles. The kneehole recess features foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, and the entire structure rests on eight solid turned bun feet. Measuring 80.5 cm high, 104.5 cm wide, and 48.5 cm deep, this substantial writing table suits a gentleman's library or a dedicated home study. It provides ample storage through its arrangement of nine drawers and a central frieze drawer enclosing a writing slope, serving as a functional and historic centrepiece for daily correspondence or executive work in a modern residence.

Campaign desks were developed during the 18th and 19th centuries for military officers and travellers who required functional writing surfaces that could be disassembled easily for transport. Featuring modular two-part construction and flush-mounted metal hardware, these desks were designed to withstand frequent travel while maintaining utility.

Chinese Export campaign furniture frequently incorporates highly figured exotic timbers such as amboyna, camphorwood, or teak, framed with dense woods like ebony. Hardware typically consists of solid brass flush corner mounts, bail handles, and side carrying handles designed to prevent damage during movement.

Authentic 19th-century campaign desks usually feature two separate pedestal sections supporting a top drawer unit, hand-cut dovetail joints, flush-fitting brass hardware, and heavy side carrying handles. Look for signs of age-appropriate wear around keyholes and underneath drawer runners.

Position the desk in a home office or study alongside a modern leather swivel chair to create contrast between traditional timber finishes and contemporary materials. Pair the desk with minimalist lighting and brass desk accessories to complement the original metalwork.

Dust surfaces regularly using a soft, dry microfibre cloth. Apply a high-quality natural beeswax polish sparingly along the timber grain to preserve moisture, avoiding harsh chemical cleaners and direct sunlight to prevent veneer lifting or fading.
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