Chinese inlaid camphorwood and brass-mounted secretaire military chest, late 19th century
Furniture
About the SessionOur annual Interiors auction is beautifully curated by Justin van Breda and offers a wonderful range of periods and styles from the Continent, United Kingdom and the East.
Lot Estimate Change Currency
ZAR 20 000 - 30 000
Location
Cape Town
Delivery
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About this Item
Chinese inlaid camphorwood and brass-mounted secretaire military chest, late 19th century
in two parts, the rounded rectangular top with three-quarter carved gallery above a long drawer, with a secretaire drawer below enclosing three fitted drawers, compartments and a leather-lined writing slide, flanked by two short drawers, with a long drawer below, the lower section with two graduated drawers, the sides with brass carrying handles, raised on carved paw feet
height: 148cm; width: 110cm; depth: 51cm
Provenance
Purchased by the current owner's maternal grandfather, William Henry Kelly, the Royal Navy's chief procurement officer stationed in the Crown colony of Hong Kong during the years of 1895 to 1927.
Notes
Although this piece is distinctly Chinese in construction, in the choice of timber, and the quality of the craftmanship, the form is derived from the English military chest prototype.
It is a rare and interesting Chinese interpretation of colonial campaign furniture.
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