History of storage trunks

The origin of storage trunks dates to the times before the Medieval era. They came in various forms and shapes from minimal to exotic and were made using a variety of materials. The first American trunks came about late in the 17th century. They were largely made of wood. In the next century, ornamentation took roots – designer & decorative storage trunks came to be seen. Handmade brass tacks and handles were additions to the storage trunk’s body. Storage trunk with lock also appeared on the scene. The metal storage trunk apparently came after the wooden one.

In the late 18th century and early 19th century, trunks of various sizes that were round in shape were commonly used. Printed paper or newspapers were used to line these trunks. At times, they had a small brass handle.

Storage chests used by Egyptians

In fact, as long ago as 3,000 years back, the Egyptians had devised methods to build boxes and wooden chests complete with intricate carving and metalwork. Egyptians commonly used reed wooden chests to store things.

In Ancient Greece and Rome…

In Ancient Greece and Rome, people, by and large, kept their possessions in wooden chests, while the affluent had more ostentatious and intricately made trunks.

In medieval England

In medieval England in the time of the Tudors there was a lot of furniture and buildings made from Oak. On a whole Tudor furniture was very strong and sturdy often made from large Oak beams that often-included intricate carving and iron blacksmith forged artwork and reinforcements.

Different types of early wooden chests

Oak, poplar and pine were used to make wooden chests in the Medieval times. Apart from having a significant utilitarian aspect to themselves, an old wooden chest or a metal one used to be a reflection on the lifestyle of the people owning them. The types of early wooden chests included the dug-out chest, the wooden box, the six-board chest, the Viking chest, the Hutch chest, the Panel chest and the Dovetail chest.

Examples of kinds of trunks based on style

Some kinds of trunks, with the style being the defining parameter, are as follows:

Jenny Lind trunks

These appear to have an hourglass or keyhole shape. They derive their nomenclature from a Swedish singer who visited America in 1850.

Saratoga trunks

They have many complex compartments. They are linked to a period before 1880. Monitor tops: They date from the later part of the 19th century to the early part of the 20th century. What differentiated them were a rounded front and rear corners.

Steamer trunk

These came into being around 1880. They were so called owing to their storage location that was the cabin of a steam ship, or steamer.

Cabin trunks

Cabin trunks are, at times, referred to as "true" steamer trunks. These trunks were quite like the luggage of the carry-on variety used nowadays.

Hat trunks

These kinds of trunks were square shaped and were in vogue in the period between the 1860s and the 1890s.

Domed top trunks

The curved top in domed top trunks afforded some extra space for storage. Moreover, the curved top meant the trunk had to be put on the top of a pile, thus decreasing the probability of damage.

In today’s day and age, trunks are used as furniture as well as for storage. Their history dates to thousands of years ago. The small trunks commonly found today that are flat-topped, were common during the Victorian era. They were often made using pine and were covered with decorative material.

Rustic trunk - the farmhouse variety

Rustic farmhouse trunks are unique in their look. They usually have prominent wooden panels. They can be used for storage for things like wine to keep it cool and out of the sunlight or made into a coffee table or end table. These kinds of trunks can thus, be sometimes said to be part of storage trunk furniture.

The difference between a chest and a trunk

While trunks were chiefly used for traveling and transporting possessions from one place to another, chests are largely fixed and permanent pieces of furniture, that are often used for storing blankets and bedding items. Thus, chests are, at times, more ostentatious as compared to trunks.

Antique trunks, and their value

Many antique trunks are collector’s items. In fact, they are often restored.

The worth of an antique trunk is majorly dependent on several factors such as the rarity quotient, its condition, size, and style. If the trunk is broken or damaged at different places, it may not be fit for everyday use in a house. For this reason, antique trunks are often restored. While this may greatly reduce the monetary value of the trunk, the viability and practicality of the antique trunk’s everyday use is, at times, significantly enhanced in such a case.

Having said that, what remains a fact is that the quality of restoration matters, so much so, that it can even lead to an increase in the value of an antique trunk. Antique trunks that are smaller in size are usually more easily sold off than big, unwieldy ones. However, the extra-large storage chest trunk is also seen. Do you have oversized storage trunks at your place?

Louis Vuitton, Martin Maier, and Goyard brand trunks account for high prices.