1890s Louis Vuitton Damier Steamer Trunk
About the Item
- Creator:Louis Vuitton (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 18.9 in (48 cm)Width: 33.86 in (86 cm)Depth: 19.3 in (49 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1890
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Hong Kong, HK
- Reference Number:Seller: #101651stDibs: LU5609236574462
Louis Vuitton
The story behind iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton — best known for its esteemed handbags, crossbody bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing and more — is one of craft and innovation in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and furniture.
The company’s modest origins can be traced back to when its founder, Louis Vuitton (1821–92), wishing to free himself from the conventional lifestyle in his provincial French city of Anchay as well as a difficult stepmother, left in the early 1830s to make a new life in Paris. The young Vuitton was 13 at the time and would need to travel on foot to get to the capital, which was hundreds of miles away. With stops along the way to make money so that he could forge ahead, the journey took a couple of years, but reward was close at hand.
When he arrived in Paris, Vuitton made a living with his hands. He toiled as a box maker and packer for more than a decade and built relationships with royals and members of the upper class while working for the empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo. In 1854, Vuitton launched his namesake company. The craftsman opened a humble workshop on rue Neuve des Capucines and advertised his services with a small poster that read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.”
Long before his brand would become known globally for its exemplary top-handle bags and stylish totes, Vuitton produced stackable and rectangular trunks. The most common trunks of the era were round, which weren’t ideal for toting and storing. In 1858, Vuitton debuted his lightweight, handcrafted canvas trunks, which were sturdy, rugged and equipped with convenient compartments. Travel’s popularity broadened in the late 19th century, and Vuitton’s trunks could easily be packed into train cars and ships — upright trunks meant hanging wardrobe storage that would allow his clients to transport their sophisticated garments without worry. Demand increased and the company grew. When Louis Vuitton died in 1892, control of the luxury house was passed onto his only son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1914, a Louis Vuitton store opened at 70 Champs-Élysées. The largest travel-goods store in the world at the time, it became the company’s flagship.
The Louis Vuitton brand embodies all the attributes of luxury, from the craftsmanship, exclusivity and relevance to heritage. It’s only appropriate that it boasts one of the most recognizable insignias — the imaginative interlocking of letters and fleurettes — in the fashion world. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted new line of travel trunks. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion branding.
The LV monogram would soon appear on everything from bags and various fashion accessories to alligator-skin champagne cases, from stylish apparel and earrings to teddy bears and airplane models.
On 1stDibs, the unmistakable insignia can be found on both modern and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, suitcases, original 19th-century trunks, jackets and more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Extremely Rare, 20th Century Arthur Conan Doyle Goyard Desk TrunkBy GoyardLocated in Hong Kong, HKExtremely rare, Goyard Desk Trunk Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British doctor and writer famous the world over for his Sherlock Holmes series of...Category
Early 20th Century French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Late 19th Century Pair of Russian Malachite ObelisksLocated in Hong Kong, HKBeautiful late 19th Century Pair of Malachite Obelisks. Each obelisk seat on 4 bronze balls as legs and a malachite base. Dimensions of each obelisk: Height 28cm, width 8cm, depth 8...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Russian Obelisks
MaterialsMalachite, Bronze
- 1960’s Hermès Bullet BoxBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HK1960’s Hermès Bullet Box (signed “Hermès Paris” at the bottom of the box) Half a Bullet in Brass is attached on the top of the lid The inside of ...Category
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal
- 1950s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Leather Cigars and Cigarettes BoxBy Paul Dupré-Lafon, HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare 1950s Hermès cigars and cigarettes box, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971) Stamped Hermès/ Paris underneath Black leather A beautiful box to...Category
Mid-20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- 1940s Hermès Dupré-Lafon Flip Top Cigarette BoxBy Hermès, Paul Dupré-LafonLocated in Hong Kong, HKRare 1940s Hermès Flip top Box, designed by Paul Dupré-Lafon (1900-1971), used to store cigarettes. Light brown leather with saddle stitching on the ext...Category
Mid-20th Century French Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsMetal
- 1960s Hermès Horseshoe Cigarette BoxBy HermèsLocated in Hong Kong, HK1960s Hermès Cigarette Horseshoe Box (signed “Hermès Paris” at the bottom of the box) A Horseshoe in Brass is attached on the top of the lid The insi...Category
Vintage 1960s French Decorative Boxes
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk , Louis Vuitton Trunk, Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis impressive Louis Vuitton wardrobe features monogramm canvas, lozine trim, LV stamped solid brass locks and studs as well as solid brass corners. It has got a lift top that close...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk, Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis superb Louis Vuitton wardrobe features stenciled monogram canvas, lozine trims and solid brass lock, clasps and studs. Lock, clasps and studs are all marked Louis Vuitton. Customised hand painted French flag on its top and on its bottom adds some personality and elegance.It also features a couple of travel labels. Its interior is complete with its original hangers, a folding hanging section, and a series of drawers with leather pulling handles. Its drawer's inside are very clean too and all original.Its last compartment was used to store 2 pais of...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, Louis Vuitton Hat TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis beautiful and very rare Louis Vuitton trunk features hand painted stenciled monogram canvas, honey color lozine trim, large leather side handles, stamped Louis Vuitton brass stu...Category
Early 20th Century French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk, Vuitton Courrier Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis magnificent little Louis Vuitton courrier trunk features the very sought after orange canvas , Louis Vuitton stamped solid brass locks, studs and latches as well as beautiful la...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Courier Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Water Mill, NY44" long vintage Louis Vuitton footlocker with four trays, leather handles and keys.Category
Vintage 1950s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Shoe Trunk, 90 cm Louis Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis magnificent Louis Vuitton shoe trunk features stenciled canvas monogram, Louis Vuitton stamped solid brass locks, studs and large leather side handles. It also has got honey col...Category
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton
What are the telltale signs that you're holding a real Louis Vuitton and not a knockoff? We spoke with expert Diane D’Amato to find out. Of course, you don't have to worry about fakes on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Most Popular Handbag Collaborations
The venerable brand has earned accolades (and gained new fans) for partnerships that meld fashion with art.