A canteen or travelling case for drinks, in the form of a miniature roll-top desk veneered in mahogany, the lid hingeing backwards to reveal compartments for four square decanters of gilded glass, with stoppers, plus an elongated octagonal glass tray.

A canteen or travelling case for drinks, in the form of a miniature roll-top desk veneered in mahogany, the lid hingeing backwards to reveal compartments for four square decanters of gilded glass, with stoppers, plus an elongated octagonal glass tray. The canteen is veneered with flame-figures mahogany, the edges of the front and the base all round set as raised fillets, inlaid with triple brass stringing. The whole is raised on small, globular, turned feet. The front of the top is set with small brass knobs (1 missing). The canteen is fitted with a brass lock, the lockplate as a miniature shield. The sides of the case are set with squared bail handles in brass. The interior of the canteen is divided into four compartments. These, and the lid, are lined with crimson silk, probably a later addition, although the silk dates from the eighteenth century. The four square bottles are decorated with delicate floral motifs in gilding on the shoulders and the stoppers. The tray is similarly decorated. Two of the bottles contain a brown, dried residue

Given by Captain C D Rotch

For travelling.

This neat little case would have carried its four bottles safely for anyone travelling. Canteens might be fitted with dishes, cutlery or bottles, to make travelling comfortable for those used to comfort and elegance at home. The shape of the case is similar to the roll-top desks the became fashionable from the 1760s onwards. In The Netherlands, the form became particularly popular in the early nineteenth century. In 1806 Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, set his brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne of The Netherlands, where he ruled until 1810. Napoleon sent his brother a spectacular roll-top desk by the Parisian cabinet-maker Bernard Molitor (1755-1833) and it may be that famous piece that inspired so many sewing boxes, writing boxes and other boxes that were made in the form of a roll-top desk.

W.25 to I-1919