A GEORGE II BRASS-MOUNTED LEATHER TRUNK*

Travelling trunks of this form with similar decorative brass-studding originated in the seventeenth century and continued to be produced, relatively unaltered in form right through to the reign of George II. George II's coffer-maker, Edward Smith, supplied both the king and various members of the court with a large number of trunks covered with 'russia leather' (P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev.ed., 1954, vol. II, p. 17). A related trunk, bearing Edward Smith's trade label was sold anonymously, Christie's, New York, 21 October 1999, lot 295.