What's the difference between a trunk and a travelling chest?

On Sellingantiques, very little. 'Trunk' dominates the titles and 'chest' runs second, and many listings use both words for the same object. Both describe a lidded container built to be carried, strapped or shipped. Which word a dealer reaches for is largely habit.

How old are most of them?

The largest single date label is '19th Century', with Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian behind it, so a good share is placed only to a reign or a hundred-year span. Of the listings carrying a clean year, the field runs 1750 to 1930. Decade tags bunch in the 1920s and 1900s. A few 17th- and 18th-century studded leather and hide coffers appear, usually dated to the century rather than the year.

Why is camphorwood so common in these?

Camphor is aromatic, and the timber was used for chests meant to resist insects attacking stored clothing. Thirty-five titles mention it. It's the one timber here that works like a named type rather than a material, tied repeatedly to Chinese export, China Trade and Anglo-Indian descriptions. Camphor campaign trunks sit in the upper third of the range.

Where were travelling chests made?

Britain and France account for a good deal, but titles name origins well beyond them: Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Brazilian, American, Irish, Moroccan, East African, Indian and Chinese. Most of those appear only once or twice. A Zanzibar chest in East African teak is the kind of one-off that turns up.

Are shipping-line labels worth anything?

Listings treat them as part of the object. Liner labels, retailer names, a vice-consulate marking and named personal owners all get called out in titles. Those listings cluster in the upper half of the range. A legible label or an original inscription does more for a trunk than a general description of the covering.

Do people use old trunks as furniture?

Some are sold that way. A handful of listings offer trunks explicitly as coffee tables, and a pair of leather trunks was sold as sofa tables. Pairs and trios turn up occasionally too, including two pine chests and three campaign trunks offered together.

Home > Chests > Travelling Chests > Page 6

Antique Travelling Chests

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A lidded container built to be roped, stacked and hauled by coach, ship or rail, holding clothes and possessions in transit rather than standing as furniture at home.

Great Quality Early 20th Century Travelling Coffer Chest

1900 - 1920

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Great Quality Early 20th Century Travelling Coffer Chest

From The Fine Art Fund

£450

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Antique Leather Studded Chest. Spanish Domed Coffer Trunk.

From Krave Antiques

£695

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Polished Oak and Canvas Dome Top Chest

From Elmgarden

£450

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Victorian Studded Leather Trunk

From witchantiques.com

£445

FOR SALE

chests

Art Deco Steamer Trunk or Cabin Wardrobe by Hartman Luggage Co.

1900 - 1920

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Art Deco Steamer Trunk or Cabin Wardrobe by Hartman Luggage Co.

From Elmgarden

£3,300

FOR SALE

chests

Beautifully Grained Victorian, Solid Camphorwood, Campaign Trunk

1900 - 1920

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Beautifully Grained Victorian, Solid Camphorwood, Campaign Trunk

From The Dorking Desk Shop

£625

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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American Dome Top Travel Trunk

From Georgian Antiques

£900

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Pair of 19th-century Chinese Leather Trunks / Storage Box with Brass Detailing

From Colton Antiques

£1,250

FOR SALE

chests

17th C. Studded Leather Bound Chest on Stand

17th century

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17th C. Studded Leather Bound Chest on Stand

From Roy Precious - Antiques & Fine Art

£1,550

FOR SALE

chests

A W Insall Original Small Travelling Campaign Trunk

19th century

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A W Insall Original Small Travelling Campaign Trunk

From Pareglio & Ayres Antiques Interiors

£295

FOR SALE

chests

Camphorwood is the timber named most often in travelling chest titles on Sellingantiques, usually alongside Chinese export, China Trade or Anglo-Indian descriptions.

Large Lined Iron Banded Travel Trunk Made by H D Dean

19th century

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Large Lined Iron Banded Travel Trunk Made by H D Dean

From Elmgarden

£960

FOR SALE

chests

Antique Silver Chest, English Oak, Steel Bound, Steamer Trunk, Victorian, C.1900

19th century

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Antique Silver Chest, English Oak, Steel Bound, Steamer Trunk, Victorian, C.1900

From London Fine Antiques

£1,295

FOR SALE

chests

Antique Large 19th C. Campaign Military Zinc Lined Travel Trunk Chest

19th century

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Antique Large 19th C. Campaign Military Zinc Lined Travel Trunk Chest

From Pareglio & Ayres Antiques Interiors

£495

FOR SALE

chests

Rrp 55,000 Fully Restored Antique Louis Vuitton Stamped Monogram Wardrobe Trunk

1900 - 1920

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Rrp 55,000 Fully Restored Antique Louis Vuitton Stamped Monogram Wardrobe Trunk

From Royal House Antiques

£15,000

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Rare Irish Travel Trunk, Labelled

From Antiques Decorative

£380

FOR SALE

chests

19th century

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Early 19th Century Coaching Trunk

From witchantiques.com

£935

FOR SALE

chests

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Antique Travelling Chests

Great Quality Early 20th Century Travelling Coffer Chest

Antique Leather Studded Chest. Spanish Domed Coffer Trunk.

Polished Oak and Canvas Dome Top Chest

Victorian Studded Leather Trunk

Art Deco Steamer Trunk or Cabin Wardrobe by Hartman Luggage Co.

Beautifully Grained Victorian, Solid Camphorwood, Campaign Trunk

American Dome Top Travel Trunk

Pair of 19th-century Chinese Leather Trunks / Storage Box with Brass Detailing

17th C. Studded Leather Bound Chest on Stand

A W Insall Original Small Travelling Campaign Trunk

Large Lined Iron Banded Travel Trunk Made by H D Dean

Antique Silver Chest, English Oak, Steel Bound, Steamer Trunk, Victorian, C.1900

Antique Large 19th C. Campaign Military Zinc Lined Travel Trunk Chest

Rrp 55,000 Fully Restored Antique Louis Vuitton Stamped Monogram Wardrobe Trunk

Rare Irish Travel Trunk, Labelled

Early 19th Century Coaching Trunk

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