The Styles of Antique Trunks
Although trunks or traveling chests can date back several thousand years, generally to be referred to as an
antique trunk it must be of relatively newer origin and - unlike chests - be intended only for travel, and not
mere storage.

The following represents many of the different general styles of these, with pointers as to how to identify and
separate them from one another.
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Hunch-Backs
The second of the two most common Dome-Tops, these only differ from the Camel-Backs by not having a
central slat over their domed peak, although note that the slats still slope upwards from the outside in.
Camel-Backs
One of the two most common forms of the Dome-Top trunk, these are easily distinguishable from the
Hunch-Backs and other forms by  having both a central slat and a domed peak which causes the slats to
slope upwards from the outside in.
You can easily see how the domed lid peaks beneath the central slat on
these two examples.
You can easily see how the domed lid peaks in between the center slats
on these two examples.
Extra-High Dome-Tops
A special category relevant to both the Camel-Back and Hunch-Back types of Dome-Tops, these encompass
the largest, and generally also the gaudiest, of the style. They are easily distinguishable by both their size and
the extreme difference in height from the center of the top to either side which can easily be up to six inches.
Although one is patterned and the other not, you can easily see how
each is flat across the top while having curved vertical slats on both front
and back.
Trapezoidal in shape from the side, the Revival form of the Bevel-Top is exceedingly rare and easily
distinguished from the smaller, lesser, and much more common Cut-Bevels by the shape and horizontal slats
which define the bottom front and back of the lid..
The larger size and extreme peaking effect of both of these
Camel-backs identify them as Extra-highs.
Barrel-Staves
The third of the Dome-Tops, these trunks are much harder to find that the former two, mostly because they
tend to be older and were reportedly less popular at the time. They are easily recognizable by their horizontal
slat layout, which are said to resemble a barrel set on its side.
Monitor-Tops
Not to be confused with Barrel-Tops, these trunks are also (incorrectly) known as Waterfalls due to the
furniture term for the curved front and back while remaining flat across the top.
Barrel-Tops
Not to be confused with Barrel-Staves or Monitor-Tops, these trunks feature a line of curved slats like a
Dome-Top, yet are set into a lid which doesn't peak, leaving them even all the way across.
Revival Bevel-Tops
You can easily see how the lid peaks beneath the horizontal slats on
these two examples.
A true trapezoid from the side and the straight slat which runs the
lid-front's bottom define this trunk as a Revival Bevel-Top.
Also known as Half-Bevels or Half-Monitors, these trunks are not a true trapezoid, much smaller in stature
than the Revivals, and are of generally lesser manufacture.
Cut-Bevel-Tops
One of the more confusing forms of the trunk out there, these trunks have a very gentle, yet discernible,
curve (supposedly inset for strength's sake) to their tops.
Slightly-Rounded
Flat-Tops
If you look closely down the line of black metal visible on the side-tops
of these two trunks you can see the gradual curve.
Generally newer and just what it sounds like. The easiest way to determine if you have this sort of trunk is to
lay a flat-edge horizontally and vertically across the top of the trunk, (while accounting for any sagging due to
age or condition) and if it's completely flat both ways while not conforming to something else, it's this.
True Flat-Tops
Hardware or slatting aside, these two trunks both have completely flat tops.
Although oftentimes utilised as a term for any old trunk, the Steamer trunk is actually a very specialized type.
Although a very few were meant to lie on their sides to be opened, the vast majority were made to stand up.
Including everything from hangers to detachable briefcases to shoe racks, iron holders, mirrors, and full-sized
dressing curtains, they were used in lieu of simply taking your dresser with you on the road.
Steamer Trunks
Not to be confused with Steamer or Trunks with multi-tray systems, these are a very specific category of
flat-top trunks whose front lifts straight open, splitting the top down the middle to reveal a half-pyramid form
filled with drawers, compartments, and sometimes even mirrors within.
Dresser Trunks