Mahogany Antique Campaign Chest By Lowndes

A mahogany Campaign Chest by J & W Lowndes.

The two-part chest has an incised moulding line around each drawer and flush brass campaign handles. All the screws to the handles are lined up horizontally, which is a sign of the attention to detail and quality. The drawer linings are also mahogany and made with fine dovetails. The two parts of the chest locate to each other by two lugs, each fitted to the centre at the side. There are also two holes for short bolts to give the parts a firm fixing. The edges of the chest are very slightly rounded and there is no strapwork used, which ties in with its earlier date.

Every drawer has two stencils to the interior bottom and the back board noting 'J & W Lowndes, 18 Haymarket'. These are all features that we have seen to another Lowndes chest which would suggest they are typical. The top right hand drawer has a Chubb lock, which is stronger than those used on the other drawers. Its serial number 118152 dates it to around 1840. James and William Lowndes were one of the earlier makers of campaign furniture and pieces by them do not come on the market often. They were at Haymarket from 1797 with a saddlery business taking over number 18 by 1851. Circa 1840.