Hope Chest Heirlooms
Hope chests made in America were created from European styles in the 1600′s and 1700′s by wood workers formally known as cabinet makers. Some of the popular copied designs were taken from the Baroque Style, the Queen Anne Style and the Louis XIV Style. As time went by, these furniture makers began to create their own styles. These designs developed certain characteristics in different cities so that historians are able to state the city and sometimes the exact wood artisan of most hope chests. In some cities, some craftsmen would use only one type of foot style, joinery style, shell element design, certain stain colors and at times only one or two types of hardwood. Many of these wood chests are not signed or stamped by their creators.
Hope chests were highly valued by Early Americans, not only for their beautiful exteriors, but also for their strong construction. Many of the first hope chest furniture pieces were built to hold all of the necessary household items such as blankets, linen, clothing and kitchen items. Since all highly valued heirlooms that a family owned were also placed in these large wooden chests, many hope chests were made with drawers along the bottom or a tray which fitted onto the top lip for this purpose. Wedding dresses normally were placed in these special compartments since they were handed down for generations.
Mortise and tenon joinery was the first construction type used to create blanket chests. That was soon followed by dovetail joinery. Both construction types are extremely durable and long lasting forms of joinery. Most wood workers would agree that the glued joints of both of these joinery types are as strong as the wood itself, if not stronger. Every wood craftsman did pick a favorite joinery style for differing hope chest design styles. If he wanted to emphasize his corner construction, the wood artisan would have chosen dovetail joinery since it shows the detail of the hand chiseled cuts. If he needed a smooth looking edge for a painted design or carving design, the wood worker would have used mortise and tenon joinery.
Typically, in Early America, hope chests would be inscribed with the name of the person receiving the wooden chest along with the date of presentation. Many of these blanket storage chests were also given special designs either through carving or painting.The German immigrants that came to American in the 1700′s and 1800′s created the majority of the heirloom hope chests which are painted. Hearts, flowers, people on horseback and stars were favorite design elements. Some painted chest designs were hexes which would ward off evil spirits in the home. This was very important to many German immigrants. Hex designs range form the very simple to complex geometric styles. These blanket chests normally had the date of construction either on the outside or the inside of the lid.
These hope chests were considered too elaborate by other groups of people due to construction preferences or religious backgrounds. The Amish, the Shakers and the Mennonites,to name a few, developed styles that emulated their simple lifestyle. All of their furniture pieces were simple in style and construction without trying to create a ‘beautiful’ hope chest. Interestingly, modern day furniture collectors view these simple styles to be of much greater beauty than the elaborate styling of other hope chest makers in America.
Heirloom hope chests have retained their place in America over the years as cherished furniture to be handed down to the next generation and also for their great beauty. Blanket chest furniture is very versatile in placement and can be found in many areas of the home since they are showcase furniture pieces.
About the Author
I recommend Blanket Chest Heirlooms.com as a place where you will find the best in handcrafted hope chests made with lasting joinery styles created from solid hardwoods. Their beautiful hope chests have stain options and many styles from which to chose to fit your decor needs.
Fire-Safe Waterproof Data Storage Chest
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China Dinnerware Storage Deluxe Microfiber Protects $21.69 Protect your dishes in this set of 4 plate storage containers. Any type of dish, from the finest China to seasonal dishes can benefit by the use of these protective storage bags. The quilted Microfiber fabric is sturdy and soft, ideal for china storage. Included in this set are 12′ Dinner Plate Case, 9.5′ Salad Plate Case, 8′ Dessert Plate Case and a 7′ Saucer Case. Each case comes with 8 cushione… |
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China Cup Storage Chest – Deluxe Quilted Microfiber (Light Gray) (13H x 15.5W x 5D) $11.93 Protect your cups in this quilted china cup storage container. Any type of tea cup, from the finest China to small mugs can benefit by the use of these protective storage bags. The quilted Microfiber fabric is sturdy and soft, ideal for china cup storage. This case is divided to hold and protect 12 cups. Save your dishes from nicks and scratches with these protective cases! Assembly level/degree o… |
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Fred and Friends Unzipped-Bag-Shaped Hand-Blown Glass Bowl $14.00 Add a hint of playful flair to any setting with help from this eye-catching bowl. A fun way to display candies, mixed nuts, chocolates, and other by-the-handful treats, the unique vessel–cleverly shaped like an unzipped disposable plastic bag–makes an unexpected and appealing contemporary accent at home or at the office. The petite bowl also serves as an organized way to store and display everyd… |
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Lifetime 60012 Extra Large Deck Box $119.99 The 130 gallon Lifetime Deck Box is a convenient and effective way to store all of your outdoor gear for improved backyard organization. This rigid deck box is constructed of high density polyethylene. It is weather proof and protected from harmful UV rays to keep your equipment dry, protected, and looking like new. The lockable lid features a spring hinge to prevent it from slamming shut. Featuri… |
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Suncast DBW9200 Mocha Wicker Resin Deck Box, 99-Gallon $111.96 This durable Wicker-Style Resin Deck Box from Suncast gives you an attractive place to keep cushions, garden tools and pool accessories dry. Contemporary wicker-style design. U.S.A. Material Type: Resin, Water Resistant: Yes, Gallons: 99, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 50 x 25 5/8 x 25 1/2… |
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Master Lock 5400D Select Access Key Storage Box with Set-Your-Own Combination Lock, 1-Pack $19.99 If you’re still hiding your spare keys under the doormat, it’s time for a better, more secure solution. The Master Lock 5400D Key Safe is a hanging unit that securely holds up to five keys. Compact and durable, this key safe will open only when you enter your personalized combination.The Master Lock 5400D Key Safe At a Glance:Reinforced metal molded body Holds up to five keys Up to 10,000 combin… |
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Who Bought JFK? $1.99 … |
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Who Bought JFK? [HD] $2.99 … |
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Rustic Furniture Basics $12.60 Doug Stowe shows you how to turn natural and recycled materials into practical, unique furniture. As a companion to the book of the same name, this useful DVD shows you all the basic techniques youll need to create distinctive rustic furniture. If youve often admired the rustic furniture seen is an old country cabin or farmhouse, heres your chance to start making these beautiful pieces yourself, w… |
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Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor $30.99 ACCURATE HEART RATE READINGS INSTANTLY DISPLAYED ON WATCH RECEIVER WHILE WEARING TRANSMITTERALARM OPTION TO INDICATE HIGH & LOW PERSONAL HEART RATE LIMITSMOUNTING BRACKET INCLUDED TO ALLOW WATCH RECEIVER TO BE DISPLAYED ON MOST TREADMILLS & BICYCLESADJUSTABLE TRANSMITTER STRIP FITS TORSO 12″ 44″ FOR ADDED COMFORTWATER RESISTANT WATCH & TRANSMITTER APPROXIMATELY TO 30 MSTOPWATCH FUNCTION TIME/DAY D… |
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Sete Antiqued White Storage Chest $165.99 The Sete antiqued white storage chest is the perfect place to store your household essentials. It is crafted from solid mixed wood and is finished in a lovely antique white. |
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Wicker 6-drawer Storage Chest $151.99 Storage chest made with a tubular steel frameBedroom furniture includes six wicker storage baskets in varying sizesFurniture is great for storing books/magazines, linens, kitchen accessories, and more |
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Woven Maize Walnut Storage Chest $115.99 Woven maize storage chest is the ideal choice for a flexible and stylish laundry solution. This versatile, 3-section, handcrafted hamper has a rich walnut color and white liner. |
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Woven Maize Walnut Storage Chest $108.99 Woven maize storage chest is the ideal choice for a flexible and stylish laundry solution. This versatile, 3-section, handcrafted hamper has a rich walnut color and white liner. |
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Mesh 5-drawer Storage Chest $71.99 Color: GreyMaterials: MeshDimensions: 10.875 inches wide x 16 inches deep x 30.75 inches high |
