This was my grandmother's blanket chest. My great grandfather made this chest for his daughter, Minnie Minerva Pitts. The piece of paper confirming this information fell off years ago, but don't worry I have it somewhere and will return it to its place, under the lid.No hinges on this chest needed because the top lifts off for easy access. I lean the lid against the wall.
What is a blanket chest? I think the original idea might have included a place to store blankets and quilts that were not in use. Often it served two functions: blanket storage, but also young girls would gather household items in hopes of one day getting married.
18 comments:
Interesting. It looks like something my own grandmother owned, which later came via my father to end up with me. But that one has hinges. And we do store blankets in it :)
Hi Theresa .. how wonderful you've still got your grandmother's chest - and then the snippet of information that her grandfather made it for his daughter .. what a lovely name "Minnie Minerva Pitts" ..
Cheers Hilary
That is one old chest haha and sounds like blankets were stored in it
I remember being a little girl and desperately wanting a hope chest, which is what we called it.
My father also had a huge cedar chest, bigger than the one you pictured, at the end of his bed. Starting in mid November, I used to search through it for hidden Christmas gifts.
Now, I want one because I love all things mid century modern, and these chests, represent the era that fascinates me. I love their scarred surfaces (yours looks like it has some stories to tell) and the ghosts of hope from treasures long since removed but their essence still preserved in the wood.
Yes! A hope chest or cedar chest. There's another name for it, but it refers to storing unmentionables for the wedding night, so we won't go there. ;) What a wonderful piece of history!
Lovely heirloom!
A treasure chest. You could place special things in there until some curious person opened it up and discovered them. Then, you could gift them with the treasure and find something else to place inside. Sweet keepsake.
Play off the Page
I have a similar chest from Japan - no hinges needed. (I think right now it holds junk.)
That's really beautiful. I've always loved chests like these.
Happy A to Z first day!
We have a blanket chest in our family but I just now learned from you its name! The lid lifts off, no hinges. These family antiques are such treasures.
I have my grandmother's cedar chest. It's about the same as a treasure chest, but I love the cedar smell.
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Isn't that called a hope chest? I love old hand crafted furniture. My parents collect antiques. Chests where lids can be lifted off are great pieces of furniture. And you can sit on them too.
What a lovely piece! I've always wanted a handmade piece of something that had been passed down through the family, but alas, nothing exists for me.
~Rebekah Loper
Fantastical Ponderings - The A-Zs of Worldbuilding
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That's something that needs to be resorted to its original state - what a treasure it is.
Corinne Rodrigues
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Interesting! We have those in Hungary too. We call them kelengye (the collection of items taken into a marriage by the girl) or kelengyésláda (the box that stores them).
Fun theme!
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I would love to have one of these to store the quilts my mom has made me. :)
That is so neat that your Great Grandfather made this. Makes it much more special. I used to love going through my Mom's cedar chest. I have always wanted one of my own.
Stefani @ Dreams of Nyssa
A beautiful chest containing priceless memories. So wonderful.
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