Antique Victorian Dresser and Vanity Boxes

Dressing Cases and Vanity Boxes were designed to carry personal and toiletry items for ladies and gents as they traveled during the late 18^th century.  They were distinctive in their purpose as well as their design. 

Initially, the cases and boxes were primarily used by only the wealthy, but later they became popular with men going to war as well as those who went away to attend school.  As people became more accustomed to travel, their popularity among all classes increased.  Those in the Victorian era chose to travel frequently and stay for extended visits with family and friends, making the cases a necessary part of their travel accessories.

Contents were varied, but usually included necessary toiletries and manicure sets, perfumes, and hair combs, brushes, and other personal items.  The more lavish designs even included concealed compartments for valuables. 

Over the years, metal (including silver), wood, and plastic have been used to create these boxes.  Made for travel, they often include straps to hold items in place or interior compartments or individual interior cases for protection of items.  Later boxes often included some type of built in mirror.

Today’s dopp kits for men and cosmetic cases for ladies are a distant cousin to the well-crafted and elegantly designed cases and boxes of our ancestors.

I have only seen one of the lavishly decorated Vanity Boxes (as pictured), but there are many of the later designs available at Vintage and Antique Shops and at Flea Markets.  Most will be smaller than the one pictured.  They are beautiful, useful, and fun to collect!