Early Camphor Campaign Secretaire Chest
The Chinese camphor chest sprang up in 18th or 19th-century China as a highly-functional and decorative art piece. While it is possible to find chests from the 18th century, most available ones were produced in the 19th century.
They were valuable vessels for transporting silks, tea, and porcelain from China to the west. Therefore, many of them found a place in the homes of the wealthiest Europeans and Americans. They were mainly used to store objects like clothes, linens, blankets, etc. These chests helped ensure that moths didn’t attack the stored items.
Just like Western furniture pieces, Chinese camphor chests are dated in terms of the kings and dynasties that ruled when they were made. For example, some come from the 19th-century Qing Dynasty, which coincided with the Victorian period. Others are more recent and are not more than 100 years old.
The top section has a central drawer over two deep drawers and is flanked by one large drawer and two smaller drawers. The centre folds down to a felt covered writing slope which can be folded on itself again to reveal a slim drawer, pigeon holes and a small lockable cupboard. One of the smaller drawers has a recess for inkwells and a pen tray. The bottom section has two drawers, is brass bound and is set on castors. The chest also has a carved galleried back and sides which can be removed if preferred. Campaign or Military furniture was popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, when military campaigns took place during the expansion of the British Empire. Adopted by New England Sea Captains to carry the pieces around with them for home comforts and storage, piecing them back together for use. Camphor wood was used in campaign furniture due to its durable density and insect repellent properties.
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