RECENT ACQUISITIONS - 5th May
One of the rarest and most desirable trunks ever produced by Louis Vuitton, the malle secretaire (or desk trunk) represents the pinnacle of functional luxury travel. This exceptional example dates to the early 20th century and remains completely original. Opening to reveal a fitted interior with drawers and a pull-out writing surface, it was designed for travellers who wished to conduct correspondence and business while on the move. Pieces of this type are exceedingly scarce, and their combination of ingenuity, craftsmanship, and romance places them among the most sought-after Louis Vuitton trunks ever made.
The trunk shows beautifully preserved monogram canvas, original brass hardware, and a richly fitted interior that speaks to the extraordinary quality of Vuitton’s workshop at the height of its trunk-making tradition. One can easily imagine the journeys it accompanied, the hotels it visited, and the letters written at its fold-out desk. For collectors, the malle secretaire is widely regarded as the ultimate statement piece: rare, evocative, and undeniably iconic.
Reference Number: B11871