This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/23/2024
[FURNITURE]. Revolutionary War Period British Officer's Portable Campaign Chest. [England, ca. 1770s]. Although not dated, this piece was acquired in upstate New York in the late 1960s and attributed to captured British war surplus. This is an English officer's portable campaign chest, and indeed military in nature. Approximately 41 ½ x 40 x 21”. Chests such as these were originally used by higher ranking officers to carry their uniforms and personal gear during campaigns. They would be hauled from battle to battle with horse-drawn wagons and set up by personal aides in their tents or headquarters. The heavy iron carrying handles on both tiers. These would aid in the transport from the supply wagons. Next, the patina shows the signs of heavy use in the field as opposed to the less stressful wear shown on home furnishings. It is possible the turned legs were a later addition once this became a piece of domestic furniture in the newly formed United States of America. The final giveaway are the inlaid, brass hand cast handles. Each handle is slightly different and painstakingly cut into the wood as to be flush mounted. This is the type of detail that would be used in field transport use as most domestic use furnishings of this type would be surface mounted with screws. An incredibly rare item meant for the collector of Revolutionary War artifacts. Third party shipping required.