A rare 3ft (90cm) wide Louis Vuitton zinc and brass Explorer’s ‘Malle Cabine’ cabin trunk carries an estimate of £15,000-20,000 at Thimbleby & Shorland, Reading, on November 23.
These rare models were manufactured by Louis Vuitton in the 1880s and were specifically designed with the requirements of intrepid travellers to hot and humid climes, where the hermetically sealed design of the zinc trunk was invaluable for keeping the contents free from water, insects and dust.
This example on offer has the paper manufacturer’s label inside, numbered 44685, with the London Bond Street address erased and changed to 454 The Strand, dating it to c.1888.
MacDougall’s plans two auctions for London’s forthcoming Russia Week – a sale of Russian Contemporary art on November 25 followed by classic Russian art on November 27.
A highlight of the latter is a group of seven graphic works by the master of the Russian avant-garde, Ivan Kliun (1873-1943), which comes for sale from his granddaughter Svetlana Kliunkova-Soloveichk, author of the artist’s catalogue raisonné.
These works covering the two main decades of the artist’s career from the 1910s-30s include The Flautist, an 8 x 6in (21 x 15cm) signed pencil, ink and watercolour on paper executed c.1913.
Estimate £25,000-50,000.
macdougallauction.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
