Trash to Treasure: Campaign chests - AmericaNowNews.com

Trash to Treasure: Campaign chests

What may look like an ordinary old trunk could be a valuable collectible. Antique trunks are so common at flea markets, you can pick them up for a song. But here's one you really need to know about: The British "Campaign Chest."

According to Francesca de la Flor, one of the country's top antique dealers and America Now's antique expert, it's worth a small fortune.

"A campaign chest was designed for an English officer to bring his tea service, his linens, his silver with him when he campaigned; when he went to war," says Francesca. "The ones that are really wonderful to find are fully outfitted. So you can see this tray was probably for linens. Maybe dress wear that he would have worn when he was having tea. The second level probably had cutlery."

A good clue to spotting a campaign chest is the variety of compartments inside used to store things, like candlestick holders.

"And this piece would have been completely filled, at that officer's expense, with the pieces that he needed in order to go to war in style," says Francesca.

This particular chest actually has the name of the officer who owned it engraved on the front. Another wonderful feature is the antique Florentine paper that lines the inside.

"Florentine paper is a process of a paper that was created in Florence, and the paper is marbled, it is over-painted, and it is in and of itself sought-after, particularly if it's old paper. You often see it on the outside of books or the inside of leather bound books, which is a very classic Italian motif," says Francesca.

So keep your eyes peeled for a trunk like this -- it truly is a treasure chest!

Copyright 2012 America Now. All rights reserved.

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