MID 19TH CENTURY CAMPAIGN CAMPHOR METAMORPHIC LAP DESK

Description

RARE AND GOOD QUALITY CHINESE EXPORT CAMPHOR WOOD WRITING DESK, CIRCA 1860.

BRASS BOUND AROUND THE OUTER EDGES AND CARRYING HANDLES TO EACH SIDE. THESE DESK WERE MADE FOR SEA CAPTAINS AND OFFICERS IN THE FIELD, KNOW AS CAMPAIGN FURNITURE. UNUSED BRASS CARTOUCHE TO THE TOP SURFACE WITH EBONY STRINGING. BY OPENING THE FRONT DRAWER THIS OPENS THE TAMBOUR COMPARTMENT, WHICH FURTHER EXTENDS TO REVEAL PIGEON HOLES FOR DOCUMENTS. LATER LEATHER COVERED WRITING SLOPE, FOLDS BACK TO REVEAL A COMPARTMENT FOR STORAGE AND 3 SECRET DRAWERS BEHIND A CONCEALED PANEL. COMPLETE WITH ORIGINAL CHINESE BRASS HINGES.

LOCK MISSING TO FRONT DRAWER, EXPECTED SURFACE MARKS AND SOME WEAR TO BRASSWARE, MINOR WARPING TO FALL.