Christopher Clarke Antiques

Chinese Export Campaign Davenport

The amboyna wood offset against the ebony and ivory stringing on this Chinese Export Davenport is striking. It is an exceptional piece of travel furniture and the removable galleries to the top and 2 pullout slides made it practical for use on board ship. The slope slides forward on brass fittings to rest above the knees. The interior has a brass edge for the top to rest on and 2 dummy and 2 proper internal drawers with brass knob handles. The 2 dummies to the bottom conceal a drawer which is released when one of the drawer knobs is pulled. The drawer is to the side of the Davenport and when fully pulled out, will swing on its hinge to adjust its position. The 2 slides are lined with blue baize and have horn knobs. They extend from the sides of the Davenport for putting papers on when working. English made Davenports typically have the drawers to one side and it is interesting that, in interpreting the design, the Chinese cabinet maker has put them to the front. The liners of the front drawers are camphor and the bottom one is fitted with 3 dividers that can be set in 7 different positions. The top drawer has 2 runners that show that originally there would have been a lift out board or tray, possibly to take a wash bowl. The flush brass handles are typically China trade in design but of better quality than standard. The whole stands on well carved lion paw feet. A comparable Chinese Export Davenport can be seen in the book Mallet Millenium by Lanto Synge. Circa 1830.

Closed size is given.