Antique Camphor Wood Trunk 19th Century

Name: Camphor Wood Trunk
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1052881
Price: 775 GBP
Availability: InStock

FURTHER BROWSING

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

Campaign Camphor Trunk

1890

Beautifully Grained Victorian, Solid Camphorwood, Campaign Trunk

1900

Chinese Camphor Wood Blanket Box

19th Century

Large Brass Bound Camphor Wood Trunk

19th Century

19thc. Camphor Wood Chest

19th Century

Victorian Military Camphor Wood Campaign Chest Travel Trunk Blanket Box with Key

Victorian

Oriental Camphor Wood Blanket / Storage Box

19th Century

Antique Military Campaign Camphor Wood Trunk

1850

A Camphor Campaign Trunk

19th Century

Camphor Trunk/chest

19th Century

A 19thc Camphor Campaign Trunk

19th Century

Camphor Trunk/chest

19th Century

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

Cataloguer’s Note

Sustainable Choice

Frequently Asked Questions

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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.

Secure Transit

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.

The Sustainable Choice

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.

Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing

ObjectTrunks & Chests
Period19th century
StyleMilitary Campaign
MaterialCamphor Wood, Brass
ColourWarm Amber Brown
MotifsBrass corner mounts, Dovetail joinery, Brass escutcheon, Flush brass handles
SizeH 47 cm (19 in) x W 95.5 cm (38 in) x D 53 cm (21 in)

Dating from 1880, this antique camphor wood trunk is styled after traditional military campaign chests. The timber has a warm amber brown tone, showing prominent natural grain patterns across the rectangular hinged lid and front panel, complemented by visible dovetail joinery at the corners. Brass hardware includes protective corner mounts, edge strap fastenings, small hinges along the back edge, and a central teardrop-shaped brass escutcheon on the front. Measuring 47 cm high, 95.5 cm wide and 53 cm deep, the chest opens to provide deep interior storage space. In a modern home, this practical piece functions well as a coffee table in a living room, a blanket box at the foot of the bed, or a storage chest in a study or gentleman's library. The flat top surface supports everyday display or occasional use, while the durable timber construction offers secure storage for linens, books, or household accessories.

FAQs

A camphor wood trunk is a heavy wooden chest constructed from the timber of Cinnamomum camphora, historically utilised by sailors, merchants, and military officers during maritime trade and overseas campaigns. The timber contains natural aromatic oils that repel insects such as moths, making these trunks suited for storing textiles and linens.

These trunks were primarily constructed from solid camphor wood planks joined with dovetail or lap joints for strength during transit. Protective brass brackets, corner caps, and flush-fitting brass hardware were fitted to reinforce edges and prevent structural damage during sea voyages.

Authentic pieces typically retain a distinct aromatic camphor scent when opened, even after decades of use. They feature hand-fitted brass corner mounts, heavy hand-forged or cast brass drop handles, dovetailed construction, and age-consistent patination across both the timber and metal fittings.

A camphor trunk functions effectively as a central coffee table in a living area or positioned at the foot of a bed for storage. Its rich timber tones and brass detailing complement both traditional schemes and minimalist contemporary spaces requiring a warm textural focal point.

Dust the timber surface regularly with a soft dry cloth and apply a high-quality beeswax polish along the grain to nourish the wood. Position the trunk away from direct heat sources and radiators to prevent timber shrinkage or splitting, avoiding harsh chemical cleansers on original brass fittings.

LTANTIQUES.CO.UK

Camphor Wood Trunk