Handcrafted Blanket Chests

Blanket chests are one type of furniture that is worthand tenon joinery and dovetail joinery were the
being made well. They are handcrafted woodenfavored construction types. Beautiful hardwoods like
chests passed from one generation to the next whichcherry, oak, maple and walnut were used in one inch
families fill with their heirloom treasures. The blanketthicknesses to create extremely durable wooden
chest, also known as a hope chest or dowry chest,chests. Hope chests were usually stained a dark
has retained its sentimental value in our society as abrown or painted to enhance the engraving or other
family heirloom due to its beauty and fineembellishments on the outside areas. The name of the
craftsmanship.  Many homes also use these versatileperson who received the blanket chest along with the
blanket chests for many different types of storage,date was inscribed on the outside or on the inside of
depending upon the room in which they are placed.the lid of these heirloom chests. Some blanket chests
Hope chest furniture can be used as coffee tables,were made with drawers along the bottom in which to
side boards, entryway sideboards, end tables, buffetplace an extra special item such as a wedding dress.
tables and as an extra cozy seating area. The extraOthers were given a tray area in top that could be
storage that they provide is a plus since many peopleeasily removed in which to place smaller items.
reside in smaller living areas than what they wouldThe joinery styles used were made with hammer and
prefer. Added to their ability to double as a storage unitchisel in a very precise manner since the corner
along the top area used as a much needed space,pieces of the chest needed to fit exactly into each
blanket chests give every home warmth and aother. Dovetail joinery shows off the skill of the cabinet
welcoming atmosphere with styling dating back to themaker better than the mortise and tenon style. All of
1700's and 1800's. This 'ageless' styling in a huge reasonthe small cuts for a precise fit are fully visible like
that blanket storage chests retain their standing as oneinterlocking fingers.The craftsmen who labored on
of the most favored types of furniture.these blanket chests were considered masters of
Blanket chests may not be considered a necessarytheir trade. In fact, these men were known as cabinet
piece of furniture to many in this day and age, but theymakers and were in very high demand. Some German
were extremely necessary to families of the pastimmigrants, along with men of religious communities like
eras. Many young women were given dowry cheststhe Amish, also made names for themselves as
to fill with necessary household items. They craftedmaster woodworkers. These men took exceptional
quilts, blankets, crocheted items, baby clothes and bedpride in their wood working skills.
linens to name a few. On their wedding day, theseWhen looking for a handcrafted blanket chest to
blanket chests were proudly placed on the weddingenhance your home, find out if the hardwoods the
wagon for the newly weds to take to their home.company or individual craftsman uses is solid with no
Other young women did not receive a hope chest untilinferior wood. Check their construction methods.
their wedding day, but the chests were still filled withScrews should only be used to fasten the lid hinges
the many needed items to run a household.and nails should not be used at all since they create
The older style of blanket chest was normally fairlysplits in the wood. With so many different styles of
large since it was required to hold so many items.wooden chests in a variety of stain colors and
Wood craftsmen learned the best methods tohardwoods, you can easily find a blanket chest just
construct these important pieces of furniture. Mortiseright for your home.