Leather Trunk by Thomas Handford

A leather on softwood Trunk by Thomas Handford.

Although Handford is better known for his Lightweight Waterproof Travelling Trunk, as advertised to this trunk's label, he also made standard travelling trunks. This example follows the form of many English trunks of the period. It has domed studs to both strengthen and decorate it and brass corner and side straps. The lid, which has a brass lifting ring, has a rebate to the edge to give a good fit to base. The leather to the top over hangs the edge to help protect the contents from the rain. The interior is lined in pink paper and the maker's label is glued to the middle of the lid interior.

This trunk has been restored during it's life and may even be one that Handford's took in as part exchange or to repair, as he advertised. The two brass corners to the back, at the bottom, are old replacements as is one of the corner straps and the iron carrying handles. The oval escutcheon has also been replaced and there are tears to the leather at the front that have been repaired. The original dark green colour is now closer to a black but is evident in the odd place.

It's a good size for and useful for storage and for the height of its flat top. It can be dated to between 1815 and 1841 from the address of 7 Strand.