The paint on this low metal trunk has worn to mustard gold and rust brown, and traces of hand-painted leaves in green, red and cream still show along the front and sides. The lid is ribbed and creased, the riveted iron frame is bent in places, and dents in the front panel add to its road-worn look. A wire hook locks into the front plate, a metal handle sits on the front for carrying, and the latch and hinges still work. Lift the lid and the inside is painted a deep oxblood red, with stiffening ribs, a small tab and flecks of white showing where the paint has chipped. Sheet-metal trunks like this were made as a lightweight, durable alternative to wood and leather for travel by ship and train.

At 22.5 inches wide, 14.5 inches deep and 9 inches tall, it is low enough to stack on a shelf, sit at the foot of a bed, rest on a bench or serve as a small coffee table with a tray on top. The original painted finish is left exactly as it aged, so the color works with leather, dark wood and plain plaster.

• Era: Vintage to antique
• Material: Painted metal
• Size: 22.5"(W) x 14.5"(D) x 9"(H)
• Color: Mustard gold, rust brown and oxblood red
• Condition: Wear consistent with age and use, part of its character and historical value. Moderate wear, including dents and creases in the metal, paint loss and rust spotting. Original painted finish. Latch and hinges work.

This vintage painted metal travel trunk keeps its original finish in mustard gold and rust brown, with an oxblood red painted interior. It measures 22.5 inches wide, 14.5 inches deep and 9 inches tall, with a working wire hook latch, working hinges and a front carrying handle. It works as storage at the foot of a bed, on a shelf or as a small coffee table.

Q: Why were metal trunks used for travel?
A: Sheet-metal trunks were lighter than wood and leather trunks of the same size, and they held up to rough handling, damp and insects on long journeys by ship and train. Makers painted them to protect the metal, which is why so many show layers of worn paint today.

Q: How do you use a small metal trunk in a living room?
A: Set it in front of a sofa with a tray on top as a coffee table, or keep it at the foot of a bed or on a bench for blankets and linens. The worn paint pairs well with leather, dark wood and plain walls.

**Please bear in mind that colors of products shown may vary slightly from their original color due to monitor display settings or photography studio