Back in the Victorian Era, without airplanes and air-conditioners, travelling for leisure was mostly local. Following the industrial revolution and the introduction of Britain’s railways and photographic technology, leisure and tourism really took off.
The growing middle class had more money and time on their hands than previous generations and, for those who could afford it, taking a week’s summer holiday became a fashionable and popular thing to do.
Rural retreats and seaside breaks were the most common choices and coastal towns such as Margate, Brighton and Great Yarmouth became popular resorts. Victorian ‘trippers’ and holiday makers were drawn by the bracing sea air and a variety of attractions that are still popular today, such as fish and chips, donkey rides, bathing in the sea and building sandcastles on the beach.
The Grand Tour
Did you know that in the Victorian era wealthy British families would usually send their son and heir on a Grand Tour of Europe. The trip was designed to introduce the young ‘milord’ or ‘milady’ to the art, history and culture of Italy.
At the time, the British educational system was based on Latin and Greek literature and philosophy. An educated person was taught the classics from a very early age. Whilst the original Grand Tourists were mostly male, there were a few families who sent their daughters to the continent too. Aristocratic families regarded this journey to Europe as an opportunity to complete their education.
The young gentlemen and ladies were often accompanied by a ‘learned guide’ - a person who could act as a tutor and chaperone. These guides, usually highly educated, were known in Italian as ‘cicerone’ and it was their job to explain the history, art and literature of Italy to their young charges.
A ‘Grand Tour’ generally included visits to Rome, Naples, Venice and Florence. On the journey south Geneva or Montreux in Switzerland were popular stopping off points too.
Apart from the grand tour, an increasing number of British women travelled via the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf, either with their husbands, brothers or fathers, on the journey to India, as well as exploring the Middle East as journalists, archaeologists, missionaries, intelligence officers or simply aristocratic explorers.
Travelling Cases in Britain
The origin of the travelling case is probably French, dating back to the late 14th century. Over time these cases evolved from functional travel items into luxury accessories. Referred to as "necessaire de voyage", these were mostly the property of royalty or the nobility - containing anything from cutlery sets to candlesticks, made for both ladies and gentlemen.
Many historians believe that Louis Vuitton was inspired by silversmiths to create his iconic luggage and suitcase designs.
In England, by the end of the 18th century more modest versions were being made to accompany upper-class gentlemen during travel. The travelling box or dressing case was originally utilitarian however, since at this time it was only the elite who travelled in style - they were also ways of displaying their owners' wealth and position.
As their popularity increased, more items were added and they became more elaborate and ornate. A gentleman's dressing case would usually contain bottles and jars for colognes, aftershaves and creams as well as essential shaving and manicure tools.
From the beginning of the 19th Century cases for affluent ladies became more common as did their capacity to travel, for long visits to relatives or friends. Ladies dressing cases would contain perfume bottles, powders, mirrors, brushes, combs, manicure sets, sometimes items for writing and almost always concealed jewellery trays.
These “necessaire de voyage” not only show how more lavish a Victorian lady's toilette must have been than in the 18th century, but also reflect several larger changes in society.
By 1870, the upper class could travel on a much grander scale, in larger coaches across better roads, as well as by steamship and train. There were more servants in an upper class Victorian household than in a Georgian one, and the growing responsibility of a lady's maid is reflected in her lady’s dressing case's complexity. It's also the golden age of house parties, when the well-to-do visited one another's country houses for weeks of lavish entertainments.
Towards the end of the 19th Century with the establishment of the English middle classes, dressing boxes became more popular with all ladies of means - not just the more affluent. During the first quarter of the 20th century the dressing case was replaced by the vanity case – an item that would be more familiar to women today.
The Thomas Whitehouse Gentlemen’s Travel Box
A Gentleman's light oak travelling dressing case dating from 1862 with a fitted interior, compact in size. These were used to carry personal items such as toiletries, writing implements, watches, jewellery and secret compartments for letters and treasured correspondence – in essence all the items a travelling gentleman in the 19th century would need.
This is a perfect gift for the modern man with an appreciation of the classics, or as a functional gift for a collector who has everything.
Contact us at Argent for more enquiries at ask@argent-silver.com.
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