The Louis Vuitton cabin trunk in the house's rare "Roma" orange canvas is among the most visually commanding objects in the Vuitton range — a piece that announces itself not through the familiar geometry of the monogram but through the sheer quality of its surface and the quiet confidence of a form that has nothing left to prove. This exceptional example, dating to the 1930s, has been mounted on a custom brass stand that transforms it into one of the most distinctive coffee tables available at any level of the decorative arts market.
The "Roma" canvas — produced in a relatively limited quantity compared to the monogram — presents here in its most saturated and characterful form: a deep, warm orange-red that has mellowed over decades into a complex, almost lacquered surface, entirely unlike the finish of any manufactured product and wholly irreproducible by any means other than time and use. Against the warm tone of the canvas, the brass hardware reads with particular authority — the large central lock plate, flanking clasps, corner guards, and studded borders forming a composition that is at once functional and formally resolved.
The trunk is structured with natural wood slat banding, leather trim with the characteristic embossed borders of the period, and the full complement of original hardware. The leather side handle retains good structure. The lower face carries the original leather pull-tab fitting in the characteristic Vuitton configuration.
The interior is lined in Vuitton's quilted cream fabric with the characteristic diamond-pattern stitching and brass stud detailing — the premium interior finish of the house's cabin trunk production. The lining shows the honest age markings of a piece that has lived a full life, with surface patination consistent with a century of use, while remaining structurally intact throughout.
The custom brass stand on which the trunk is presented has been purpose-made to complement the hardware of the piece — its clean rectangular profile and brushed brass finish providing an appropriately discreet and well-resolved base. Presented in this configuration, the trunk functions as an exceptional coffee table while retaining its full integrity as a historical object; the lid opens freely, providing storage of considerable capacity.
For the collector, this is a rare cabin-format example of the Roma canvas in original unrestored condition. For the interior designer, it is simply one of the finest coffee tables in existence.
Canvas: "Roma" orange Stand: Custom brass, purpose-made Dimensions: 27”wide x 10”height x 18.5”depth
Condition: Very good overall, consistent with age. Roma orange canvas retains its distinctive warm tone with deep, complex patina throughout — no structural losses or canvas failures. Natural wood slat banding and leather trim structurally sound. Brass hardware complete and bright — corner guards, central lock plate, clasps, studs, and pull-tab fitting all present. Leather side handle present with good structure. Interior quilted cream lining structurally intact with honest age marking and surface patination consistent with period. Custom brass stand present, structurally sound, and well-matched to the trunk hardware.
Literature:
Paul-Gérard Pasols, Louis Vuitton: Malletier à Paris, Paris, 1987
Florence Müller, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, New York, 2010
Pierre Léonforte, Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury, Paris, 2004
The Louis Vuitton cabin trunk in the house's rare "Roma" orange canvas is among the most visually commanding objects in the Vuitton range — a piece that announces itself not through the familiar geometry of the monogram but through the sheer quality of its surface and the quiet confidence of a form that has nothing left to prove. This exceptional example, dating to the 1930s, has been mounted on a custom brass stand that transforms it into one of the most distinctive coffee tables available at any level of the decorative arts market.
The "Roma" canvas — produced in a relatively limited quantity compared to the monogram — presents here in its most saturated and characterful form: a deep, warm orange-red that has mellowed over decades into a complex, almost lacquered surface, entirely unlike the finish of any manufactured product and wholly irreproducible by any means other than time and use. Against the warm tone of the canvas, the brass hardware reads with particular authority — the large central lock plate, flanking clasps, corner guards, and studded borders forming a composition that is at once functional and formally resolved.
The trunk is structured with natural wood slat banding, leather trim with the characteristic embossed borders of the period, and the full complement of original hardware. The leather side handle retains good structure. The lower face carries the original leather pull-tab fitting in the characteristic Vuitton configuration.
The interior is lined in Vuitton's quilted cream fabric with the characteristic diamond-pattern stitching and brass stud detailing — the premium interior finish of the house's cabin trunk production. The lining shows the honest age markings of a piece that has lived a full life, with surface patination consistent with a century of use, while remaining structurally intact throughout.
The custom brass stand on which the trunk is presented has been purpose-made to complement the hardware of the piece — its clean rectangular profile and brushed brass finish providing an appropriately discreet and well-resolved base. Presented in this configuration, the trunk functions as an exceptional coffee table while retaining its full integrity as a historical object; the lid opens freely, providing storage of considerable capacity.
For the collector, this is a rare cabin-format example of the Roma canvas in original unrestored condition. For the interior designer, it is simply one of the finest coffee tables in existence.
Canvas: "Roma" orange Stand: Custom brass, purpose-made Dimensions: 27”wide x 10”height x 18.5”depth
Condition: Very good overall, consistent with age. Roma orange canvas retains its distinctive warm tone with deep, complex patina throughout — no structural losses or canvas failures. Natural wood slat banding and leather trim structurally sound. Brass hardware complete and bright — corner guards, central lock plate, clasps, studs, and pull-tab fitting all present. Leather side handle present with good structure. Interior quilted cream lining structurally intact with honest age marking and surface patination consistent with period. Custom brass stand present, structurally sound, and well-matched to the trunk hardware.
Literature:
Paul-Gérard Pasols, Louis Vuitton: Malletier à Paris, Paris, 1987
Florence Müller, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, New York, 2010
Pierre Léonforte, Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury, Paris, 2004
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