Red Chinese Export Trunk

A red leather on camphor wood China Trade Trunk.

Many thousands of these trunks were made in the Chinese ports for Westerners passing through or for Sea Captains to take home to resell. They were made for most of the 19th century and came in a variety of sizes. The camphor was extremely practical to protect your clothing or uniform from moths etc. Most were made with black or dark green leather, occasionally they might have a maker's name or have removable feet. The harder ones to find are those decorated with painted flowers etc. or in red leather.

This chest has a deep red colour to the leather and it is decorated with a swag in domed studs to the front. It also has a shield shaped escutcheon. As you would expect, it has a brass ring handle to the lid, brass carrying handles and brass strapwork and domed studs to the edges. The top is painted in black with a name that it is now worn to be illegible and 'No. 1'.

The trunk stands on block feet to the corners and the top is strengthened with two bracing bars to the lid interior. The lid is held by three brass hinges as well as the leather joining the two parts to the back. The interior is lined with its original paper. The support straps to the lid look to have been reduced in length with their position altered at some point, probably due to wear. The top part of the lock to the lid, is missing.

The size of this Chinese Export Trunk is perfect for a coffee table or to use at the end of a bed for storage and its red colour is attractive. Early to mid 19th Century.