19th c leather travelling trunk from the Boconnoc Estate, Cornwall

A grand 19th century travelling trunk with a good provenance by the renowned London maker F. Best of 64A South Audley Street and 188 Sloane Street, London.  The trunk belonged to Dorothy Augusta Fortesuce (1863-1941)  the daughter of Admiral Sir William Legge Hoste, who later  married John Bevill Fortescue, the High Sheriff of Cornwall. John Bevill Fortescue  inherited the Boconnoc Estate in Cornwall in 1890.  The trunk dates from around 1895 just after the makers, F. Best, moved to the South Audley Street address on its construction in 1891-1893.  Dorothy's wedding took place in Knightsbridge on 3rd September 1891 and a desciption survives, "the bride was given away by her mother the Dowager Lady Hoste, wore a white satin gown with a draping of fine old ventian lace given by Lady Louisa Fortescue, and a tulle veil, looped with diamond stay, the gift of her mother".  

The leather trunk, with her initials to the top, would have been used as the family travelled between their London address at 48 Berkeley Sqaure with their many servants, and the grand Cornish country estate Boconnoc House, Cornwall.

Some losses to the leather straps at the back.

Measuring: 92 cm x 55 cm x 46 cm

English, London, c. 1895

Provenance: From a direct descendant of Dorothy Fortescue