{"product_id":"antique-louis-vuitton-monogram-tea-ceremony-trunk-cha-tea-utensil-case","title":"Louis Vuitton Antique Monogram Tea Ceremony Trunk, Fitted Chadōgu Utensil Case, 91.5 cm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eIt is rare for a Louis Vuitton trunk to serve a ritual. Behind its restrained Monogram face, this antique case opens onto pale partitions shaped, it appears, for the implements of chanoyu, so that Parisian trunkmaking and the Japanese way of tea meet in one object whose rarity lies in purpose rather than size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClosed, the trunk reads as a long, narrow rectangle of brown Monogram canvas, bordered by aged structural trim and metal edging. Against that slim silhouette the repeated floral and LV pattern runs as one continuous field, rather than the interrupted panel geometry seen on larger wardrobe trunks, and a single leather handle mounted at the top marks it as a specialized portable equipment case rather than a travel suitcase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOpened, the hinged clamshell explains why the piece exists. Pale interior panels are divided into numerous geometric compartments arranged around the central axis of the case: shaped fitted sections, long narrow channels, rectangular storage areas and angled dividers, apparently cut to hold tea-related implements and keep each one from moving in transit. The layout has a distinctly ceremonial precision. The trunk becomes a machine for organization, and the private logic of whoever packed it suddenly becomes visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLouis Vuitton's historic strength was never limited to suitcases. The Maison produced purpose-specific trunks and cases for wardrobes, shoes, writing instruments, jewelry, toiletries and specialized personal equipment, and this example belongs to that more intriguing tradition: an interior configured for smaller objects and ceremonial implements rather than clothing, whose architecture reveals its reason for being.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChanoyu, the Japanese way of tea, is a discipline of controlled movement, ritual handling, restraint and the careful placement of each utensil, or chadōgu. Set beside the highly engineered French tradition of luxury travel goods, the two cultures sit together remarkably well: the strict compartmentalization of the trunk echoes the precision of tea preparation itself, a narrative embedded in the object rather than applied to it. Antique Vuitton suitcases, Monogram trunks and wardrobe trunks all appear on the collector market; a long fitted case apparently designed around Japanese tea utensils belongs to a far narrower category, and it will speak to collectors of chanoyu, Japanese decorative arts, historic travel culture and Japonisme alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt a depth of only about 15 cm, the case is neither a conventional suitcase nor a furniture-scale trunk; it behaves more like an oversized archival case or portable cabinet and displays easily either vertically or horizontally. Closed, it is a handsome early Monogram case. Opened flat, the tea fittings become the focal point, at home in a Japanese tea room, private library, collector salon, tea gallery, boutique installation, museum-style vitrine, luxury hospitality interior, Japanese decorative-arts collection or Japonisme-focused exhibition. Mounted open on a wall, it reads almost as a sculptural cabinet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Louis Vuitton\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Antique\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Monogram canvas exterior; metal edge reinforcement and perimeter hardware; leather carrying handle; pale fitted interior partitions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Width approx. 91.5 cm (36.0 in) · Height approx. 40 cm (15.7 in) · Depth approx. 15 cm (5.9 in) · Handle height approx. 6 cm (2.4 in)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 4.5 kg (9.9 lb)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Key\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Patent lock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hinged clamshell case with central top leather handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fitted compartments, channels, angled dividers and rectangular storage areas configured for tea utensils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRestoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handle previously repaired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-grade\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJaponista grade B\u003c\/strong\u003e · Good, with visible wear consistent with use; fully functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade B: an authentically aged utilitarian trunk with substantial age-related wear, its surface recording a long history of handling rather than presenting as a pristine decorative object.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExterior: scratches, dirt, abrasion, corner wear, peeling, and tears or breakage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior: dirt, abrasion and a storage odor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHandle: dirt and abrasion, with a history of repair that forms part of the trunk's continuing working life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMetal fittings: scratches, clouding or dullness, and discoloration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lock functions normally but shows deterioration.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScratches, oxidation, worn corners, staining, odor and past repairs read differently on a historic trunk than on a recently made handbag; structure, identity and historical character remain coherent, and stabilization is preferred to cosmetic restoration. An antique of this kind is best judged in hand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe photographs form part of the condition record.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLouis Vuitton Monogram canvas trunk with patent-lock closure and its key. The tea-ceremony purpose is read from the fitted interior layout, and is offered as an interpretation of that architecture. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrated in Japan and shipped insured by air or sea freight. A freight quote is confirmed with you before dispatch through our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/museum-grade-logistics-suite%E2%84%A2\"\u003eMuseum-Grade Logistics Suite™\u003c\/a\u003e. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/louis-vuitton-trunks\"\u003eLouis Vuitton Trunks\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/collections-luxury-archive-designer-treasures\"\u003eJapan Luxury Archive\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/lv-murakami-multicolor-pyramid-trunk-set\"\u003eLouis Vuitton × Murakami Multicolor pyramid nesting trunks\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/louis-vuitton-1918-monogram-wardrobe-trunk-antique-double-cabinet-with-original-hangers\"\u003eLouis Vuitton circa 1918 Monogram wardrobe trunk\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/louis-vuitton-antique-monogram-cabin-trunk-c-1920s-with-hand-painted-japan-flag\"\u003eLouis Vuitton 1920s trunk with painted Japanese flag\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eThe Maison Archive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for a particular reference, leather or year? The Hunting Salon™ searches Japan’s private collections on your behalf, and Layaway Privilege™ lets you reserve a major piece over several payments. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hunting-salon%E2%84%A2\"\u003eRequest a maison search →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: louis vuitton tea ceremony trunk · antique louis vuitton monogram trunk · louis vuitton fitted case · louis vuitton japanese tea utensil case · chadogu travel case · antique fitted trunk tea ceremony · louis vuitton japonisme trunk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Louis Vuitton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54012634202405,"sku":null,"price":26493.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/antique-louis-vuitton-monogram-tea-ceremony-trunk-cha-tea-utensil-case-01.jpg?v=1791645495","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/products\/antique-louis-vuitton-monogram-tea-ceremony-trunk-cha-tea-utensil-case","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}