This remarkable example of 19th-century British campaign furniture initially appears as a striking mahogany front-slant desk. When the hutch is opened, it reveals its true nature as a bureau bedstead—a cleverly designed piece that conceals a mattress.

During the Georgian and Victorian periods, British officers, all with high social standing, expected their military campaigns to offer the same comforts as their homes. This demand led to the creation of campaign furniture, designed to combine the elegance of fine household items with the practicality of easy transport. Known as "knock-down furniture," campaign furnishings were crafted with exceptional ingenuity. These designs could be disassembled, transported and reassembled quickly without tools, making them ideal for military use. Despite their practical function, campaign furniture was as elegant as any stationary counterpart, allowing officers to create opulent settings in their tents that mirrored the grandeur of England’s finest interiors. The luxurious tents were as much a display of political power as they were beautiful.

Given their extensive travel across continents, finding an exceptional example of this revolutionary design, especially in such pristine condition, is truly extraordinary.

This design is referenced in Gillow's estimate sketchbook (344/94, p. 310, 1788, courtesy of Westminster City Archives, London), as noted in Nicholas A. Brawer's book, British Campaign Furniture.

Closed: 40 3/4" high x 37 1/4" wide x 23 1/4" deep
Open: 40 3/4" high x 72 1/4" wide x 74 3/8" deep