Exterior restoration of a trunk
The manufacture of a trunk always begins with the making of the barrel, most often in poplar wood (light and resistant wood). The coating is then applied to the wooden structure, glued for a coated canvas or sewn for a leather trunk. The leather, lozine or metallic borders are studded, followed by the slats in beings, the rear hinges and the three clasps.
During our restorations, we must follow this same pattern, in order to find the original qualities of the luggage. The restoration of a trunk depends mainly on the coating used, the jacquard woven fabric and much more fragile than a coated fabric, the renovation is therefore much more complex on a delicate fabric. Leather parts must be restored in a way that has retained the patina of time, without fear of distorting the objects. Finally, the jewelry must be cleaned, polished and then polished, to regain its original shine.
The leather parts are often damaged on the trunks of this time and represent probably the most common restorations, with the change of a handle, a restoration of borders or for the design of a new hinge.
These leather pieces are hot stamped, to show patterns very specific to the different houses. For a change of handle, it is a specialized leatherworker who will design a new handle from the original model, and using leather as close as possible to the original patina. For a lack of leather on a border, we remove the damaged part, and stud another piece of leather of the same size on the location. We try for these "grafts" to use old leather pieces, so as to preserve a patina similar to the rest of the trunk.
Repair of leather borders
Cleaning a stained canvas
Louis Vuitton monogram cabin trunk , circa 1910
The difficulty in cleaning an old painted canvas, and removing the painted patterns, without damaging the monogram patterns of the canvas. A solvent can be used in some cases, but with extreme care. See the result
Touch-up paint
Louis Vuitton striped mail trunk , circa 1880
We regularly find family colors or initials on the luggage, to distinguish the different owners. In some cases, we need to reproduce the original colors or retouch those faded colors.
Cleaning a delicate canvas
Louis Vuitton striped mail trunk , circa 1876
A jacquard fabric must first be dry cleaned, without using liquid products which could directly stain the coating. The canvas must then be nourished, and covered with a thin layer of wax, specific to this material.
Leather restoration
Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk , circa 1900
Leather is a plant material and must be maintained over the years. To restore it, we have to nourish it and polish it a lot of times, so as to regain the patina of time.
