Brass Bound Military Chest Belonging to JR Honeyford -19th Century

This antique brass bound Anglo-Indian campaign chest Has 'J R Honeyford' inlaid in brass lettering on the lid. It belonged to John Robert Honeyford (14th October 1864 - 20th March 1896) in Delhi, India. It was likely commissioned in the late 1880's or 1890's.

His parents were John Honeyford (1837 - 1891) from Dunbartonshire who enlisted in the Indian Army, and Theresa Violet Davis (1848 - 1893) born in Chunar in India. 

John Robert Honeyford enlisted in the army and through the births & deaths of his Children you can track his postings. Between 1886 & 1890 serving in Gogha & Bhavnagar in Gujarat. In 1891 he was serving in Quetta, (now Pakistan). By 29th March 1894, he had been posted to Bombay where he had twins (George & Muriel) with his wife Alice. As reported in the 1896 Times of India, he died 'after a long illness' on 20th March 1896 in St George's Hospital, Bombay. 

John Robert's father, John Honeyford worked in the Indian Army, 42nd Foot (Royal Highland) regiment  as a foreman until his death in Burma aged 54 in 1891. 

These military chests rarely show the names and Indian records are often patchy at best. It's lovely to have something with such a strong anthropological and social history. 

These chests are perfect for a bijou coffee table. This example is constructed from beautifully patinated teak and has its original brass fittings and handles. The interior has storage for letter writing equipment and clothing. The craftsmanship is of good quality with a brass trunk top stay. Other indicators of good quality are the brass edging on the lid and the heavy brass handles. On the interior of the lid a brass plaque stating 'Vala Workshop' indicates the workshops this piece was made in. Possibly in Mumbai. 

Military chests were used by officers of the British Indian Army to carry their personal documents, kit, and personal possessions whilst on tour, they were made to order and had to withstand a lot of punishment in transit. Old repairs can be seen on the hinges. 

Dimensions:

61 x 41 x 32 (wxdxh cms)

From India

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