An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880

An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880

£1,750

A  more unusual example of late nineteenth-century Anglo-Indian campaign furniture, constructed as a sophisticated five-piece  table designed for transport throughout the British Empire. 

The table is ingeniously constructed in five separate sections comprising a removable top, a central frieze drawer section and two pedestal drawer units. Each pedestal fits within its own outer protective case, the cases becoming the supporting stands when the table is assembled. This clever arrangement allowed the complete piece to be dismantled, packed securely and transported before being rapidly reassembled wherever required. Such construction demonstrates the emphasis placed upon portability whilst maintaining the rigidity expected of furniture intended for prolonged service overseas.

Constructed in beautifully figured mahogany throughout, the table retains its original recessed brass campaign handles, substantial brass corner mounts and iron carrying straps to the reverse of each pedestal. These practical fittings were designed to withstand the repeated dismantling, transport and reassembly that campaign furniture was expected to endure.

Unlike the standard military pedestal desk, this example possesses unusually generous proportions. Standing approximately 93 cm (36½ inches) high with a clearance of 70 cm (27½ inches) beneath the central drawer, it is noticeably taller than a conventional Victorian writing desk. Whilst it could certainly have functioned as a standing writing table, its proportions equally lend themselves to use as a serving or side table within a military mess, colonial residence or administrative building. Rather than forcing a definitive attribution, we have chosen to describe it as a campaign table, as this best reflects the evidence presented by its construction.  It would now work well as a standing desk.

One of the most appealing survivals is a fragmentary blue paper transport label fixed to the reverse, bearing the name “BURTT” together with the partially legible word “PUN…”. Although incomplete, the surviving lettering strongly suggests a historical connection with Punjab, almost certainly relating to its working life within British India. Whilst insufficient survives to identify the individual, department or transport company involved, such original labels provide tangible evidence of the journeys undertaken by campaign furniture during the period.

The drawer locks are stamped “G.C. Dass”.  One lock is missing but all others are present.

The reverse of each pedestal retains its original iron strengthening and carrying bar, another practical feature intended to reinforce the cases during transport. These survive alongside the original brass mounts and campaign handles, giving the piece an honesty and integrity often lost through years of hard use.

Campaign furniture was produced for officers of the British Army, members of the Indian Civil Service, engineers, surveyors and colonial administrators serving throughout the Empire. Designed to withstand frequent movement whilst providing the comforts and functionality of home, the finest examples combined robust engineering with restrained elegance. This table is an excellent example of that philosophy, its ingenious five-part construction distinguishing it from the far more commonly encountered campaign desks and chests.

A handsome, practical and highly evocative piece of nineteenth-century Anglo-Indian campaign furniture.

Some losses to drawer inserts, split to wood to left drawer and wood let in to top right hand drawer.

Measuring:  155.5 cm wide, 93 cm high (70 cm to under base) front to back 43 cm

Anglo-Indian, late 19th century

***PLEASE ASK FOR A QUOTE FOR DELIVERY BEFORE PURCHASING.  THIS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE ADDED  AT POINT OF SALE***

 

An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880
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