Victorian Campaign Camphor Writing Box 19th Century

Name: Victorian Campaign Camphor Writing Box
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA961713
Price: 695 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Cataloguer’s Note

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectWriting Boxes
Period19th century
StyleVictorian Campaign
MaterialCamphor Wood, Brass
ColourWarm Brown
MotifsBrass corner straps, Tambour roll top, Flush brass handle, Inlaid stringing
SizeH 22 cm (9 in) x W 46 cm (18 in) x D 38 cm (15 in)

This Victorian campaign writing box is made from warm brown camphor wood with a waxed finish and ebony inlaid stringing. It takes the form of a rectangular box featuring protective brass corner straps, sunk flush brass side handles, a central brass escutcheon, and a slatted tambour roll-top hood. The lid and drop-front drawer are decorated with delicate inlaid string borders, and the timber displays natural grain patterns with minor surface wear consistent with age. Measuring 22 cm high by 46 cm wide and 38 cm deep, the piece is sized to sit on a desk or bureau. In a modern interior, this portable box serves as a functional workspace organiser or a decorative storage container for correspondence and stationery. It sits comfortably on an office desk, a library table, or a chest of drawers in a study or living room. The sliding tambour mechanism opens simultaneously with the lower drawer to reveal the fitted interior, providing practical enclosed storage while maintaining a tidy surface.

FAQs

A Victorian campaign writing box is a portable lap desk designed for military officers and travellers in the nineteenth century, built to secure writing materials and correspondence during transport.

These boxes were constructed from durable hardwoods such as camphor, teak, or mahogany, and reinforced with brass corner straps, flush-mounted handles, and brass bindings to endure rough transit.

Authentic pieces feature flush-fitting brass hardware designed not to catch on luggage, heavy timber construction, dovetail joinery, and often contain camphor wood designed to deter insects.

It can be styled on an office desk, console table, or library shelf as a functional storage container for stationary or as an accent piece in dark academia and traditional decor schemes.

Dust the timber regularly with a soft microfibre cloth and apply a neutral beeswax polish along the grain, while gently wiping brass fittings without using abrasive chemical cleaners.

Carse Antiques

Victorian Campaign Camphor Writing Box

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