Trunk Chest Canvas Brass Lock Original White Lining Southern Railway DoverPriory
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A characterful 19th century, domed, overseas, travelling, steamer, trunk in canvass with leather trim, handles and brass hardware with lock. No key. The exposed straps removed. Beari...
Leather, Canvas
19th Century Traveling Silver Chest by Smith and Nicholson
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century traveling silver chest by Smith and Nicholson A super quality sliver chest or strong box, the chest is made by Smith of Smith and Nicholson, the chest was intended f...
Oak
1860 ITALIAN ORIGINAL PAINT EXTRA LARGE STORAGE TRUNK OR CHEST CHERUB PAINTINGs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original circa 1860's Italian hand painted storage trunk or chest depicting Cherubs Please not...
Wood
English Coaching Trunk, circa 1875
Located in London, GB
English coaching trunk, circa 1875 A black leatherette coaching trunk, England, circa 1875. Black leatherette patina with reinforced studded steel brackets to corners and sides...
Steel
ONE OF A KiND ANTIQUE BROWN LEATHER STEAMER TRUNK WITH ARMORIAL COAT OF ARMS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite, fully restored, circa 1890-1900 hand dyed brown leather steamer trunk with one of...
Brass
$1,699Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Leather Steamer Trunk with Wicker and Calico Inside, English, Circa 1880
Located in Faversham, GB
A wonderful late 19th-century leather steamer trunk. The trunk is made of canvas and has been leather-mounted around a wicker dome top. Two large buckles to the front of the trunk s...
Leather, Wicker
Late 19th Century English Tin and Wood Storage Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late storage box blends Eastern and Western aesthetics with its hand-painted gilt Chinese character insignia and a Greek key pattern that encircles the rich maroon tin siding. T...
Tin
Original Antique Fully Stamped Army & Navy Cls Steamer Campaign Trunk Zinc Lined
By Army & Navy CSL
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1880-1900 Army & Navy CLS, zinc linen steamer trunk This is a very well made example of a steamer trunk designed for luxury ...
Steel, Iron
Beauty Traveling Case by William Comyns, London, 1895
By William Comyns
Located in Greding, DE
Black leather trunk with a lock, one handle, and a green fabric cover. On top are the gold letter initials W. M. J. The interior holds space for several glass flacons with silver lid...
Silver
Vintage Louis Vuitton Cabin Steamer Trunk, Leather & Wood, France
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Bradenton, FL
It reflects the transition from the high-domed trunks of the Victorian era to the flatter, stackable cabin trunks favored during the golden age of steamship and rail travel.
Leather, Wood
A MATCHED PAiR OF EXTRA LARGE ANTIQUE ORNATELY HAND CARVED LINEN STORAGE TRUNKS
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of Circa 1880 ornately hand carved slightly domed top storage trunks Please note: The d...
Oak
Pair of Very Large Vintage Hand Painted Chinese Trunks / Chests on Stands Tables
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely pair of original hand painted vintage Chinese trunks on stands which can be used as very large side tables A very finely decorated pair, they...
Elm
Add a charming piece of travel history to your space. Antique and vintage trunks and luggage can make a statement as decorative accents and practical furnishings in nearly every room of your home.
There have been many types of trunks and luggage over the years, with availability of these wares broadening as train travel expanded during the 19th century. Antique steamer trunks — named for their use on steamships — mostly date from around 1880 to 1920. These pieces of luggage fit a steamship’s luggage size regulations and essentially doubled as wardrobes, ensuring that a traveler’s evening dresses and suits were kept wrinkle-free on a journey from city to city.
In 1858, French luxury brand Louis Vuitton introduced the world to the now-iconic Louis Vuitton trunks. During this early period of railroad travel, Louis Vuitton trunks solved common travel problems. Instead of the traditional round shape, these handcrafted rectangular trunks stored better on trains. To discourage burglars, the French craftsman and his son, Georges, also eventually patented a revolutionary sophisticated lock for the trunks. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted travel trunks.
Even if no longer used for travel, the vintage luggage is a popular item among collectors for its historical value and charm. At home, an old wood trunk is a durable storage solution as much as it is a versatile surface. It’s a coffee table in the living room of your farmhouse-style home or rustic loft apartment and a nightstand or blanket chest at the foot of your bed in your bedroom.
From Victorian trunks to Art Deco traveling jewelry cases, journey through history today with an extensive collection of antique trunk suitcases and vintage luggage on 1stDibs.