History of Cedar Chests
For many generations, cedar chests and other styles of wooden chests have been a traditional gift to young women. Many European and American brides were give a "Dower Chest" as part of their marriage dowry. Theirs, like mine would be filled with many of the items needed to start a household, homemade linens and quilts, clothing, dishes and cookware. As American pioneer women traveled across this land to settle the frontier, these chests were in many cases their only possession.
Storage chests of different variations have been a necessity for centuries around the world. Ancient Egyptians used chests to store treasures and important documents. Early Europeans made them from hollowed tree trucks to carry their belongings from place to place. By the 15th century, new construction techniques included paneled or jointed corner construction and the use of mortise and tenon joints, making them sturdier and more suitable for storage of valuables. To make it easier to reach items, drawers were added which became known as chest of drawers or mule chests. Smaller chests used to store money or important documents were called coffers.
In Mexico, craftsmen were influenced by the 18th century lacquer work of the Chinese and Spanish artisans. In place of lac, found in China, they substituted the plant aje, to create similar results of the lacquer. The Mexican style chests were traditionally very colorful. Reds, greens, blues, and the colors from nature were prominent. A distinguishing feature of Mexican chests is the hardware. The hasp used to close and lock the chest was quite ornate as were the hinges used on the lid. Familiar motifs on the hardware included the sun, animals, and the Hapsburg eagles. Beautiful and useful chests were created from painted and unfinished pine and woods covered with aged blackened cowhide and accented with brass studs.
The Eastern red cedar, which is used in chests, along with its aromatic quality, also contains oil that effectively deters moths from damaging material. Natural fabrics such as wool, cotton and linen are especially prone to moth damage. Quality features in modern chests include double mitered corners, safety hinges, aroma tight seals to keep in the aroma and keep out moisture, and accessories such as hidden and jewelry drawers to allow for more organized storage.
