Polished Teak Folding Campaign Bookcase

This extraordinary brass bound and glazed, polished teak campaign bookcase is one of the finest examples ever to appear on the market.  While most surviving campaign bookcases are simple, hinged two part cabinets that fold into a rectangular box, this example has a large central unit with two hinged pediments that when folded together form a square traveling box.  Of particular interest is the geometric tracery to the four glazed doors and the specially designed brass locking mechanisms.  A brass plate inlaid to the top of the center section is engraved with the owner’s name,
No. 1
Thos. D. Scott
indicating that this was part of a larger suite of traveling furniture.  The lack of a military rank to the name plate probably indicates that the owner was not in military service but was either a member of the diplomatic corps or was a colonial administrator.  Whatever position Mr. Scott occupied, he was clearly a person of considerable means.  A superb example of campaign furniture.

London, England. c. 1810-1820

Exhibited at Boscobel House and Gardens Museum, Garrison, NY, Campaign Furniture: the March of Portable Design, August 25th – November 4th, 2018

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