AN EXTREMELY RARE MALLE FLEURS TRUNK

Miniature trunks such as this were first created by Louis Vuitton in 1910 and during the 1920s and 1930s became sought-after status symbols. Originally given as gifts to loyal customers as way of a thank you, the trunks would have held either fresh flowers or a flowering plant contained within a zinc liner. It was intended that after the plant had died the owner could have the trunk transformed into a sewing box, jewellery box or cigarette case.