The rickety charm of London buses
About Our TRUNK
From the outset we were mindful of the impact the build of the trunk would have on the environment. The construction of the trunk was based on the ethical sourcing of materials and, where possible, the repurposing of existing equipment such as the radio, wood and canvas, Our finer details such as hinges, clasps and handles were manufactured using offcuts of brass and alloy materials and leather.
We Achieved
- Minimising impact on the environment
- Saving materials from ending landfill
- Preserving wood which would have been chipped and barked
Trunks have been around for centuries. The most common styles seen and referred to today date from the late 18th century to the early 20th century, when they were replaced with lighter and cheaper suitcases. The innovation in luggage continues to develop with the advent of new technologies.
Steam trunks developed as part of the use of steam ships for travel and immigration, or serving officers in wars, to enable the package and storage of items for use, whether on board or when they reached their destination. Trunks were generally constructed with a base trunk box made of pine which was then covered with protective and decorative materials. Some of the earliest trunks are covered with studded hide or leather. Later coverings include paper, canvas, plain or embossed tin. By the end of the 1940s their use had become rare, and in modern times is almost unknown.
What to pack when travelling either abroad by air or on a cruise, for long train journeys to day trips or overnight or lengthy stays can be a challenge. Our inspiration for our trunk was taken from steamer trunks designed to accommodate a large amount of luggage.
Meet the Maker – Daniel Higgins
Daniel Higgins is a leading maker, specialising in wood and metal work with a workshop in East London. His work ranges from bespoke pieces for Chelsea Flower Show to more domestic designs. Daniel was commissioned to create our unique travel trunk to preserve the memories and recollections and collections resulting from the Charabancs and Cadillacs project in a useable museum able to travel to many different venues and organisations to be explored and enjoyed.
