Regency Leather Travelling Trunk.
£850.00
Early 19th Century Chinese Export Leather & Camphorwood Travelling Trunk with Distinguished Campbell Provenance
A remarkable and early 19th-century (circa 1790) Chinese export travelling trunk, beautifully constructed from solid camphorwood and clad in finely patinated dark green leather with decorative brass studwork. The trunk retains its original brass carrying handles, protective brass corner mounts and engraved silvered presentation plaque, making it a superb example of Anglo-Chinese craftsmanship produced for the British market during the great age of overseas travel and empire.
The engraved plaque is inscribed:
“Mrs. Deans Campbell. No 4
Passing overland.
To England.”
This fascinating inscription identifies the original owner as Mrs. Deans Campbell, mother of John Campbell, who was later created the 1st Baron Cawdor of Stackpole Court, Pembrokeshire. The wording “Passing overland to England No 4″strongly suggests the trunk accompanied her on the celebrated overland route from India through the Middle East to Britain, a journey undertaken by only the wealthiest and most adventurous travellers before the widespread use of steamship travel.
Constructed with a fragrant camphorwood interior to protect clothing and valuables from insects and damp during long sea voyages, the trunk is reinforced with brass edging and adorned with an elegant pattern of brass upholstery studs, demonstrating the high quality expected of Chinese export luggage supplied to affluent British families.
Pieces with such clear, engraved ownership are exceptionally desirable, particularly when linked to an important aristocratic family. The Campbell family of Stackpole Court played a significant role in the history of Pembrokeshire.
Condition : overall good few areas of missing brass trim and escutcheon.