Traveling set case 1874 - 1875

This traveling set case was produced by Hunt & Roskell, a firm that operated between 1843 and 1897. This object offers a glimpse into the performative aspects of identity and social status in the Victorian era, particularly how gender and class are deeply interwoven. The case, with its fitted compartments for cosmetics and grooming tools, speaks to the rituals of self-presentation that were central to maintaining one's position in society. Consider for a moment the emotional weight of such an object. What does it mean to carry one's identity, literally, in a box? How does the act of travel—often associated with freedom—intersect with the constraints of Victorian social norms, especially for women? The ornate detail and luxurious materials point to the privilege of its owner and the labor of those who crafted it. It embodies both the allure and the burden of representation.