This rare Louis Vuitton monogram canvas double hat trunk, dating to the 1920s, is distinguished by its bold green and cream painted stripe and represents one of the most striking and scarce forms of early 20th-century luxury travel luggage.
Covered in the house’s iconic monogram canvas, the trunk is bound with lozine leather trim, brass edges, and reinforced corner mounts. The domed lid is secured by leather slats, while the front retains its central brass lock stamped ‘Louis Vuitton’ and flanked by spring latches. Leather side handles complete the form, combining durability with refined construction.
The interior is lined in quilted canvas and retains its original fitted double “cage” with webbed supports, designed to secure multiple hats in transit. This specialized system prevented crushing while allowing air circulation—an essential innovation at a time when hats formed a central element of both men’s and women’s dress.
Double hat trunks of this scale were produced in very limited numbers and typically executed as special commissions. Their larger proportions, combined with bold painted livery such as the present example, ensured immediate recognition during travel and give the piece a commanding sculptural presence today.
Produced during the golden age of travel, Louis Vuitton revolutionized luggage design with purpose-built forms tailored to the needs of an international clientele. The malle à chapeaux stands among the most sophisticated of these creations, reflecting both technical ingenuity and refined taste.
Today, double hat trunks remain among the rarest and most desirable Vuitton models, prized for their scale, bespoke nature, and strong decorative appeal. Examples retaining original interiors and distinctive painted decoration are increasingly scarce.
Explore additional Louis Vuitton trunks, including explorer trunks, library trunks, and other rare bespoke examples from the golden age of travel.
Condition
Very good overall condition, with a richly developed patina to the monogram canvas and leather trim consistent with age and use. The painted stripe remains vibrant and well-preserved. Brass hardware with light surface wear and oxidation. Interior clean and complete, retaining the original fitted double hat “cage” with expected signs of use.
Dimensions:
26”width x 25.5”height x 24.5”depth
Literature
Comparable examples of Louis Vuitton hat trunks and specialized travel cases are illustrated in:
Pierre Léonforte and Eric Pujalet-Plaà, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, Abrams, New York, 2010.
This rare Louis Vuitton monogram canvas double hat trunk, dating to the 1920s, is distinguished by its bold green and cream painted stripe and represents one of the most striking and scarce forms of early 20th-century luxury travel luggage.
Covered in the house’s iconic monogram canvas, the trunk is bound with lozine leather trim, brass edges, and reinforced corner mounts. The domed lid is secured by leather slats, while the front retains its central brass lock stamped ‘Louis Vuitton’ and flanked by spring latches. Leather side handles complete the form, combining durability with refined construction.
The interior is lined in quilted canvas and retains its original fitted double “cage” with webbed supports, designed to secure multiple hats in transit. This specialized system prevented crushing while allowing air circulation—an essential innovation at a time when hats formed a central element of both men’s and women’s dress.
Double hat trunks of this scale were produced in very limited numbers and typically executed as special commissions. Their larger proportions, combined with bold painted livery such as the present example, ensured immediate recognition during travel and give the piece a commanding sculptural presence today.
Produced during the golden age of travel, Louis Vuitton revolutionized luggage design with purpose-built forms tailored to the needs of an international clientele. The malle à chapeaux stands among the most sophisticated of these creations, reflecting both technical ingenuity and refined taste.
Today, double hat trunks remain among the rarest and most desirable Vuitton models, prized for their scale, bespoke nature, and strong decorative appeal. Examples retaining original interiors and distinctive painted decoration are increasingly scarce.
Explore additional Louis Vuitton trunks, including explorer trunks, library trunks, and other rare bespoke examples from the golden age of travel.
Condition
Very good overall condition, with a richly developed patina to the monogram canvas and leather trim consistent with age and use. The painted stripe remains vibrant and well-preserved. Brass hardware with light surface wear and oxidation. Interior clean and complete, retaining the original fitted double hat “cage” with expected signs of use.
Dimensions:
26”width x 25.5”height x 24.5”depth
Literature
Comparable examples of Louis Vuitton hat trunks and specialized travel cases are illustrated in:
Pierre Léonforte and Eric Pujalet-Plaà, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, Abrams, New York, 2010.
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