Anglo-Indian Campaign Chest — Fitted Tray, Drawer Base, Brass Hardware

A compact Anglo-Indian hardwood chest in two-part campaign form, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. The upper unit is a hinged-lid box in warm, close-grained hardwood consistent with teak, fitted with a brass hasp latch, scalloped keyhole escutcheon, iron strap hinges, and nickel-tone bail handles on both sides. The interior holds a fitted tray with three longitudinal dividers creating four parallel channels, with open storage below. The lower unit is a single deep lockable drawer on shaped bracket feet, finished with a matching brass escutcheon and bail handle. Whether the two sections began life together or were married over years of use, they present as a cohesive and functional whole.

Anglo-Indian workshops of the colonial period produced pieces exactly like this — portable, secure, and built to last in demanding climates. The two-part stacking form with independent bail handles allowed each section to travel separately, a hallmark of campaign construction. The mellow patina, period hardware, and fitted interior make this as useful today as it was in the field.

CONDITION

Good. Age-appropriate wear throughout, including chips, dings, and scuffs on exterior surfaces. Wood surrounding the iron hinges on the upper box has split at the hinge mortises on the rear rail. Drawer does not close flush. No key present for either lock.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall: 12 1/4" H × 18 3/4" W × 12 3/4" D
• Configuration: Two-part stacking; upper hinged-lid chest with fitted divided tray; lower lockable drawer on bracket feet
• Interior Tray: 3 fixed longitudinal dividers, 4 parallel channels
• Hardware: Brass hasp latch, brass keyhole escutcheons (upper and lower), iron strap hinges, nickel-tone bail handles (upper, both sides), brass bail handle (drawer front)
• Construction: Solid plank hardwood, consistent with teak ⚑
• Feet: Shaped bracket feet on lower base
• Key: None

Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale