{"product_id":"george-v-campaign-desk-1","title":"George V Campaign Desk","description":"Campaign Desk\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1910 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This exceptional George V mahogany campaign desk epitomizes the ingenuity, craftsmanship and elegance that define the finest British campaign furniture. The desk was almost certainly commissioned for a high-ranking British officer or commander, offering every convenience required to manage military affairs while on campaign. Ingeniously engineered for transport yet uncompromising in luxury, it is a remarkable survival that showcases the sophistication of Britain's imperial era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Every detail of the desk was designed with functionality in mind. The upper section unbolts for easy transport, revealing an impressive array of compartments labeled for bills, invoices, reports, telegrams, postcards, wages, inventory, notes and paper, ensuring every document remained meticulously organized. A leather-lined writing surface slides forward for correspondence, while fitted appointments include inkwells, a postal scale, a diary, pull-out candleholders for illumination, dice and playing cards in their compartments, four rock glasses and a Swiss triple-calendar pocket watch with moon phases. Below, two fitted decanters are concealed within the pedestal, one hiding a bank of drawers and the other ingeniously disguising a hidden safe that can only be accessed by opening the correct drawer and sliding another into position. Numerous drawers and an additional secret compartment further enhance the desk's extraordinary practicality. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The expansion of the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries gave rise to one of furniture history's most innovative forms: campaign furniture. Also known as \"knock-down furniture,\" these pieces were designed to be dismantled quickly without tools while providing the same refinement and comfort found in the homes of Britain's elite. Built to accompany officers serving throughout India, Africa and beyond, campaign furniture combined robust construction with exceptional craftsmanship and ingenious space-saving design. Today, complete examples of this quality and complexity are exceedingly rare, making this desk an outstanding testament to British craftsmanship and military history. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 44 1\/2\" high x 25\" wide x 11 3\/4\" deep\u003cbr\u003e Desk opens to 24\"","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45378020999303,"sku":"32-0832","price":48500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-0832_1.png?v=1785511215","url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/products\/george-v-campaign-desk-1","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}