A monumental Mughal chest with domed top (possibly a campaign chest), India, 18th century, wood overlaid with embossed copper and brass sheet metal, profusely decorated with floral vine, 80cm. high x 92cm. diam. x 57cm. deep Provenance: Private collection UK since the 19th centuryThe decoration of this chest closely follows the same pattern as marble architecture in the Red Fort Delhi as well as arms and armor of the Shah Jahan period, See G. Michell, The Majesty of Mughal Decoration: The Art and Architecture of Islamic India, 2007.The Mughal Emperors often spent months away from Delhi on Military campaigns, Aurangzeb (1618  1707) in particular spent years on the move fighting the Sultans of the Deccan. The splendor of his immediate court would travel with him on these campaigns. One can imagine a chest like this carrying splendid Mughal attire and jewels of the court.