Louis Vuitton 1920s Oversized Monogram Canvas Trunk with Hand-Painted Japanese Flag and Handwritten Markings

Few Louis Vuitton trunks carry their journeys as plainly as this one: a 1920s oversized Monogram trunk marked with a hand-painted Japanese flag and travel notations written by hand. Kept in Japan since before the war, it survives as a rare first-hand record of international voyages nearly a century ago.

The Piece

This oversized trunk dates to the 1920s, when Louis Vuitton trunks were the pinnacle of travel equipment. Measuring 81 cm in width and 48 cm in height, it is a large format intended for long voyages by sea, rail and early aviation.

What sets this trunk apart is the hand-painted Japanese flag and the handwritten inscriptions on its exterior. Unlike printed labels or stickers, these markings appear to have been applied by hand during the trunk's active use, offering a direct window into its original owner's journeys. Untouched markings of this kind are seldom found today, as many trunks have since been repainted or had their surfaces restored.

Many antique Louis Vuitton trunks in Japan arrived from overseas; trunks kept in the country since the pre-war era, with their original markings intact, are far scarcer. This piece has been kept over generations in longstanding domestic ownership and retains a distinctive patina, material aging and historic atmosphere. Despite its age the Monogram canvas retains clarity, and the trunk presents with dignity and the textured, time-worn character expected of an authentic 1920s piece.

The hand-painted flag gives the trunk a cultural significance well beyond luggage, suiting it to museum settings, luxury interiors, hotel lobbies, boutiques and serious archival collections. Louis Vuitton was founded to make travel cases built to endure long voyages, and this trunk, with its preserved markings, stands as a living document of that purpose.

Details

• Maker: Louis Vuitton
• Era: 1920s
• Material: Monogram canvas; wood; leather handle; brass hardware
• Color: Brown Monogram
• Measurements: Height 48 cm · Width 81 cm · Depth 22 cm
• Weight: Estimated 6–8 kg (unpacked)
• Included: Keys not included
• Special Features: Original hand-painted Japanese flag; handwritten period inscriptions
• Category: Antique oversized trunk (extra large)

Condition

• Vintage Grade 3: an item approximately 100 years old with visible age and usage wear, notable for its preserved authenticity rather than restoration.
• Canvas: scuffs, scratches, stains, rubbing and age discoloration.
• Leather trim: cracking, dryness and abrasions.
• Hardware: oxidation, scratches and color change.
• Interior: age wear, stains and storage marks.
• Handle: aged leather, weakened with age.
• Structure: solid for display; minor warping consistent with antique trunks.
• Paintwork: the original hand-painting is intact; handwritten period markings are preserved beneath the patina.

Authenticity & Care

Brown Monogram canvas trunk of the 1920s with original, unrestored hand-painted flag and handwritten inscriptions that appear to have been applied during its period of use; preserved in Japan since the pre-war era. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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