{"product_id":"an-unusual-late-19th-century-anglo-india-campaign-table","title":"An unusual Anglo-Indian campaign table late 19th century, circa 1880","description":"\u003cp\u003eA  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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eConstructed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eUnlike the standard military pedestal desk, this example possesses unusually generous proportions. Standing approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e93 cm (36½ inches)\u003c\/span\u003e high with a clearance of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e70 cm (27½ inches)\u003c\/span\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne of the most appealing survivals is a fragmentary blue paper transport label fixed to the reverse, bearing the name \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“BURTT”\u003c\/span\u003e together with the partially legible word \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“PUN…”\u003c\/span\u003e. Although incomplete, the surviving lettering strongly suggests a historical connection with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ePunjab\u003c\/span\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe drawer locks are stamped \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“G.C. Dass”\u003c\/span\u003e.  One lock is missing but all others are present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eCampaign 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA handsome, practical and highly evocative piece of nineteenth-century Anglo-Indian campaign furniture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSome losses to drawer inserts, split to wood to left drawer and wood let in to top right hand drawer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasuring:  155.5 cm wide, 93 cm high (70 cm to under base) front to back 43 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnglo-Indian, late 19th century\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***PLEASE ASK FOR A QUOTE FOR DELIVERY BEFORE PURCHASING.  THIS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY BE ADDED  AT POINT OF SALE***\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rob Hall Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48092377350309,"sku":null,"price":1750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1151\/3980\/files\/IMG_8303_c3318fe2-4a30-43e7-8dc1-d03061e8f13e.jpg?v=1785953017","url":"https:\/\/robhallantiques.com\/products\/an-unusual-late-19th-century-anglo-india-campaign-table","provider":"Rob Hall Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}