Travelling Cases

Travelling cases were boxes designed to hold upper class gentleman’s toiletries and other items needed during travel. They started to become fashionable at the end of the 18th Century.

They would usually contain jars and bottles for colognes, aftershaves and creams as well as the basic shaving and manicure tools.

Originally they were very functional, but developed to be a statement about their owners wealth and status as a time when only the elite travelled. As these boxes became more popular further traveling item options were included.

By the Victorian era (1830s onwards) high class ladies had also started to travel. Their version of travelling boxes called dressing cases were designed with pure luxury in mind and contained a wide range of bottles, jars and beauty implements. The exterior of the box became as important as the interior and they were often veneered with very expensive wood. Over time they became known as ‘Vanity Cases’ and with their very expensive price tags became works of art, sought for status rather than as travel items.

Manufacturers who produced the finest examples made from exotic wood with silver and gold fittings include Betjeman & Sons, Walter Thornhill and Jenner & Knewstub.