Original 'Malle Fleurs' (Flower Trunk) by Louis Vuitton, c. 1920

An exceptionally rare ‘Malle Fleurs’ (Flower Trunk), a miniature version of the classic courier trunk, covered in L. V. Monogramme fabric with leather handles and brass trim, the lock plate signed ‘LOUIS VUITTON’, the interior fully lined with chocolate brown silk-velvet, completely refitted as a jewel case with lift-out tray and velvet cushions.

Additional Notes: These miniature trunks were created by Vuitton as corporate gifts, presented to good friends and clients. When originally presented, they would have contained either fresh flowers or a flowering plant, with the instruction that when the plant died, Vuitton would take the piece back, and reline it as either a cigarette box or as a jewellery case. By nature of the material they were made from, they were not intended to survive, of course with the accommodation of a plant, many were water damaged and simply thrown away. Therefore today, surviving examples of this little trunk are extremely rare and collectable, and certainly when they are as immaculate as this particular example, very special.

Illustrated: ‘Louis Vuitton, the Birth of Modern Luxury’ by Paul-Gerard Pasols page 129.