Since Medieval times the hope chest, used by families in Europe to prepare their young daughters for future marriage, are still in use to this day. These chests originated in Italy, Scandinavia, Germany, and the custom and immigrants seeking a new way of life brought craft to the American shores. The Midwest and Southern states had popularized this precept until the late 1950's, but the woodcraft is available today. The common use of the hope chest was to hold household items in "hope" that the young woman becomes married, and thus prepared to make house.
Earlier chests were from oak, maple, or whatever wood was available to the woodworker. Some crafters would line their work with a cedar veneer or have a cedar bottom, which was not only fragrant, but helped preserve clothing and blankets. This practice gave these chests the misnomer of "Cedar Chest." These were handcrafted chests, usually ornate and unique. The hopeful future bride would slowly collect things from family and friends, and after she has a daughter of her own, would possibly pass the chest on to her.
Cherry Veneer Bookcase
During World War I, and mass-production became the standard of most production, the Lane Company started fabricating these chests in large numbers, mostly for ammunition boxes. After the war, the Lane Company started making their iconic Cedar-lined chests, using even the teenage Shirley Temple as a model. Their tag line pretty much clinched the custom, "The Gift That Starts the Home."
There are companies that manufacture cedar chests, but very few who hand make them. A quality chest is a woodworker or cabinetmaker's totem, and if you were lucky enough to find a dedicated one, the money is well spent. Finding a cherry cedar chest hidden away in a dusty corner of an antique shop for pennies could be the project of a lifetime while restoring.
Cherry is a durable and uniform wood, prized for its beautiful aging ability and its straight-lined texture. Starting out with an unfinished cherry cedar chest can also be a rewarding enterprise, as there are many stains available to bring out the beauty of the grain, such as a light walnut or fruitwood stain. You can clear-coat the wood or oil it, Tung oil being the best for preserving and protecting the wood. Cherry wood mellows over time and becomes warm and glowing with good care and with exposure to air and sunlight actually darkens with age.
Finding a cherry cedar chest is not difficult; you can find antique chests or order them brand new and start your own heirloom. There are woodworkers who will make cherry cedar chests to specifications and design. These chests not only bring additional homespun adornment to your household, but also can be a lasting treasure for the future bride.
Special Price!!! 6-Shelf Radiused Hardwood Veneer Bookcase in Cherry - LLR85053
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6-Shelf Radiused Hardwood Veneer Bookcase in Cherry - LLR85053 Feature
- Radius Vaneer Bookcase, 6 Shelves, 36"x12"x84", Cherry
6-Shelf Radiused Hardwood Veneer Bookcase in Cherry - LLR85053 Overview
LLR85053 Features: Soft radius corners Veneer finish Solid hardwood construction Solid 3/4" thick shelves are adjustable on 1-3/4" centers with pinhole attachments Laminated finish on the back's interior and an unfinished back side Finish: Cherry Dimensions: 36"(W) x 12"(D) x 72"(H)SAVE NOW on the special offers below!
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