Vintage Barrel Trunk with Illustration Inside | ||
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Posted 10 years ago
DonnerChica
(2 items)
I just purchased this item today in Oakland, California and I don't know anything about where it came from but I'd love to learn as much as possible.
I was drawn to this piece because of the exposed, unpainted wood, metal hardware, and then when I lifted, this beautiful illustration inside!
Any information or pointers people can help me learn about this beautiful trunk is much appreciated.
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It's a beautiful piece. It's a camelback which meant it went on top of the other trunks. The shape made it such that other trunks could not be placed on top. This puts it as something the upper class would have. Bad news is that the middle latch is missing and has been replaced and there were probably inserts which would fit in the upper section and those are missing.
Our real trunk expert trunkman should be along soon to give you some real information.
Thanks for the preliminary insights, fortapache! I'm excited to learn more about this piece from others and very excited to have this lovely piece of history as part of my home.
Looks like an 1880's "barrel top" type trunk. The term "camel back" and "humpback" were not used around the time these were made. In terms of them being humped to dissuade porters from stacking them -- well porters just turned them on their sides so I believe the form was more for aesthetics. The "reddish hue" is often an indication that it was once covered with leather -- look along the seems to see what material was taken off -- they were almost always covered with either canvas, paper or leather. It may have just been stained red when someone refinished it. The brass rivets on this piece will shine up nicely with fine steel wool. Beautiful lithograph on the interior. Without a makers label the manufacturer will most likely remain a mystery as there was a plethora of makers at the time. It is a beautiful trunk and a nice example of craftsmanship for its time. Thanks for the post!!
PS. I am a novice at trunks -- the real experts are TrunkerMarvin and HMS Antiques -- these guys are wayyyy ahead of me, plus a few others. That is what is great about this forum -- collective knowledge...
Thank you Trunkman, I appreciate the complement. Thank you, thank you, thank you for trying to stop that horrendous story about barrel top trunks being put on last. By far one of the worst stories ever printed (and made up). Trunkman, I believe the trunk to be older than the 1880s. Probably closer to the early 1870s, or 1860s. I base this on the style, construction, chromolithograph, and lack of latches. I have removed a lot of leather and I dont find that the wood is effected very often from it. That trunk looks like it was stained as the slats are the same color as the body.
Fortapache, there is no such thing as a camelback, or humpback trunk. These are made up terms, probably from the 1970s. I have never found these terms used by any trunk maker, ever. This trunk would have most likely been called a Barrel top. More often names like this were not used at all, as we us them about 90% more than used in trunk catalogs, or advertisements. This was an inexpensive trunk as is seen by the lock (lower grade) and the construction. The top is made from 2 pieces of Pine that have been steam formed. A more expensive trunk would have been made with several staves, like a barrel. Hence the term Barrel Stave Top.
Hope this helps,
Jim cardoza
HMS Antique Trunks
PS. Check out my new trunk makers list on my website.
Fortapache, I am not sure what you mean about the middle latch missing. The lock is complete and original to the trunk. There are two nail holes above the lock where the lid lifter was attached. I also notice that you (and many others) use the term insets to describe the trays. Inserts is confusing as some people use it to describe the lithograph as well. The correct term would be tray, or set-up tray, with or without hatbox. Trays below the set-up tray would be called skirt trays. They were designed for ladies skirts to lie flat, and the skirts could be pinned to the bottom of the tray, as the bottom was usually fabric, paper, or had tie down straps. These trays would allow the ladies skirts to remain free from wrinkles upon arriving at their journey.