Exclusive: Trunks Company Jaipur Becomes India's First Design Atelier to Be Auctioned by Sotheby's New York

When Paritosh Mehta founded Trunks Company Jaipur in 2011, he wanted to reimagine the legacy of handcrafted trunks for a new era. Once a symbol of utility, particularly in Indian societies where these boxes were given to newlywed brides to keep her belongings, trunks were originally conceived as robust storage solutions for long voyages. In many communities, the presentation of these trunks was an elaborate ritual, often showcasing the family’s craftsmanship or social standing. The exterior design, choice of wood or metal, and the intricacy of the locks or inlays reflected regional aesthetics and familial heritage.

Over time, their role has shifted from mere utility to a canvas for expression. Today, especially in the hands of ateliers like Trunks Company Jaipur, these once-functional chests have been transformed into objets d’art where handcrafted pieces have paved the way for form with function. No longer relegated to storage alone, trunks now embody a refined lifestyle by housing curated collections of watches, spirits, cigars, or games with the same reverence once reserved for museum objects. Now, Trunks Company Jaipur has taken these heirloom classics to the global stage.

Trunks Company Jaipur at Sotheby's

In a historic chapter for Indian collectable design, Trunks Company Jaipur auctioned its inaugural masterpiece, The Connoisseur's Trunk, at Sotheby's Important Watches Auction in New York on June 10, 2025. Fetching USD 40,640 (approximately INR 35.04 lakhs), the trunk attracted bidders from the United States, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates.

Imagined by Mehta in close collaboration with Geoff Hess, Global Head of Watches at Sotheby's, The Connoisseur's Trunk came to life as a result of 2,200 man-hours by master artisans of Jaipur. The trunk, built using leather, teakwood, and brushed brass, measures 90 x 40 x 61 cm, weighs around 85 kilograms. The exteriors are defined by a clean silhouette and hexagonal escutcheon that functions as a lock and handle, both. This motif, inspired by the latticework of Jaipur's Amer Fort, finds a spot on the hinges and drawer knobs, too.

"The creation process was like witnessing an evolving conversation between time, tradition, and culture—one that unfolded slowly, layer by layer,” says Mehta in an issued press release.

The Connoisseur's Trunk: A Treasure of Design

The trunk's arms fold outward while a central lid lifts to reveal a watch workstation. Notably, just the hinges took two-and-a-half years to develop. Inside, one can spot watch winders, cushions, and the brand's Signature Watch Sentinels engineered with a rack-and-pinion mechanism.

Alongside the horological section, the trunk holds a complete bar and cigar setup, each set up in individualised compartments. Think a hand-cut crystal decanter, whisky glasses, bar tools, coasters, an ice bucket, and cigar accessories such as a travel case, ashtray, cigar cutter, and lighter.

At its essence, The Connoisseur’s Trunk becomes an extension of its owner’s identity. It doubles as an intimate reflection of the collector’s inner world by celebrating narrative, precision, and a cultural lineage, while affirming Indian design’s place on a global stage. As the global eye turns toward artisanal and purpose-driven luxury, India’s design landscape is increasingly being defined by homegrown brands that fuse tradition with forward-thinking execution. Trunks Jaipur Company could well be leading that journey.