Antique Leather Domed Travel Steamer Trunk Victorian Travelling Blanket Chest
A fabulously decorative Victorian leather, metal and wood-bound domed genuine travelling steamer trunk with wonderful, aged patination and an intriguing history. A fabulous item for lovers of history, this super antique was likely made towards the end of the 1800s and is dripping with aged appeal, historical significance and fantastic colour. It would make a splendid blanket or storage chest and is a wonderfully authentic decorative item, which will add bygone charm, quality and history to any interior.
All original and featuring a domed top, externally it has beautifully crafted pine wood and steel banding riveted in place for structural security across the cross-scored calves leather finish. It features metal up-and-over clasps and large leather carrying handles at either end and internally it has the original compartments with striped upholstery lining, while underneath it has a tin base and authentic wooden base runners with original castors.
It shows really stunning aged appeal and colouring and has wonderful historical clues to its original purpose as an authentically used steamer trunk, including a painted inscription on the top informing of the previous owner’s destination, which reads: ‘MRS A. KEMP, ROXBURGH, TOBAGO. B.W.I.’. Trinidad and Tobago obtained independence from the British Empire and the British West Indies (B.W.I.) in 1962, but Mrs Kemp must have been travelling pre-1927 as the trunk has a Royal Mail Steam Packet Company ‘NOT WANTED ON VOYAGE’ sticker affixed to the front. This company had a fleet of fourteen steamships, which ran tours and mail to Caribbean destinations from Southampton and Falmouth twice-monthly between 1839-1927.
These wonderful historical signs and beautiful patination make this a rare, genuine and authentically used steamer trunk, no doubt only afforded by wealthy travellers. All in all it’s a fantastically decorative, historical and still very usable steamer trunk. We’re unlikely to see another with such fabulous historic significance, aged appeal and colouring, so grab it while you can.
CONDITION
This is in good condition. Structurally sound and built to last and withstand the rigours of travel, it has been kept under a blanket for the last 60+ years, which has preserved the fantastic colour and patination we see now. The leather, wood and metal banding are in good-to-very-good condition, with only to-be-expected signs of wear and patination and a small patch of leather torn on one side and some wear to the lower areas. The key for the central lock is missing but the two up-an-over clasps work well and keep the trunk shut. One of the four castors is missing but overall it’s a fabulously decorative and genuine used steamer trunk with wonderful historical significance and if well looked after it should be just as gorgeous and usable in another century or more – please see the photos.
MEASUREMENTS
Height – 61cm, Width – 83cm, Depth – 50cm. Est Weight – 25kg.
DELIVERY
UK delivery price quoted, collection also available from Warwick. Please CONTACT US FOR INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY QUOTES - the current International delivery quote is just a place-holder.
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