Posted 10 years ago
Bretton
(1 item)
Recent find . In poor condition , but hope someone can help identify this chest . The fabric appears to be canvas with a black coating over it . On each lock is the word " SURETE" I assume the fittings are brass . The centre latch was a recent addition . The lid appears to made of pine , but the walls are made from a laminated timber . It had 3 external handles . One at the rear and one on each side . Size approx . 60 cm by 70cm by 40cm
Looks like a French made trunk from around early 1900's. "Surete" (close to the French word for lock) would be the name of the manufacturer of the lock and most probably not the trunk maker's name. Most likely a brass lock -- typical of the type found on French made trunks. Too bad the trunk is in such poor shape :(. Thanks for the post!
Thanks Trunkman . I assumed it was French as the simple translation was Secure . We have found no matching images of the trunk . I thought the internal fabric may of given us some insight but no avail . Is there any way to find out more info on the chest ?
Without a maker's label or a matching image it is fairly difficult to identify trunks -- particularly foreign made ones, unless they have a distinctive feature from a known maker. The latch is a common style and I see no indicators of specialization from high end makers. The stripped linen inside is also a common feature.
Ok cheers :)
Trunkman is correct it is very difficult to identify trunks without there labels and Identifiable makers marks. This trunk does have a few distinct construction traits that one maker did do.The small nails on the side of the vertical slats and the way
that they tie in on the bottom into the metal T's, made me realize that I had seen similar construction on two trunks listed on e-bay under 1920's french malle set(trunk).(pictures are still there) One of the pictures -(Lavolaille Fabricant) is on the label. In addition the locking hardware and lid guides are almost identical .(I in no way am advocating buying or selling anything on e-bay or any other site. I only seek to help in identification.) Maybe this will help you.Now this in no way means that your trunk is Lavolaille as these models are different in size but it is closer than having no clue at all as to there maker. good luck to you Breton.