Westside Real Estate- Keepsake Chests

Keepsake Chest - Hope Chest

Westside real estate is not just about houses. What makes a home? The people in the home and things we cherish in our homes. The keepsake chest or hope chest has been a holder of dreams and memories in families for centuries. Currently, keepsake or hope chests are not only used to store memories but for home decor. The keepsake chest has always been a symbol of status. Ancient Egyptians kept their personal treasures in heirloom chests. During the Renaissance wealthy families believed in arranged marriages within the family. Inter familial marriages strengthen and secured power influence within the family. Wedding gifts were presented in elaborate trunks. Often times, the trunks were more highly valued than the gifts contained.
These chests were made of a sturdy wood like oak, cherry wood or cedar wood. Cedar was a common wood used for chests. Cedar is sturdy and moth resistant. These chests were intricately carved, gilded or painted. Chests were fitted with secure artistic locks. Valuable items are safe in the cedar lined chests. Immigrant families migrating to America travels by sea with possessions in chests. In later decades American teenage girl were given trunks by their mothers or close female relative. It represented a coming of age for young ladies. Trousseau: clothing, personal items and household items were stored in “hope chest” or “glory chest”. Until the 1950s the expected path for women was marriage. The hope chest was a ritual of the hope and joy. The hope chest and trousseau represented paths of marriage and a family’s life journey. When a young woman married the hope chest was emptied and replaced with memorable family life. Mothers would pass this hope chest to their daughters and the journey of the hope chest was reborn. Chests and memory keepsake boxes in my view, represents hope, joy and heritage.

The Lane Company, VA was a notable maker of cedar wood chest during WWII. Shirley Temple was a model for the company. Advertisement was aimed at GI’s loved ones left in domestic life. Lane Company promoted miniature 12” long chest chests as advertising gifts for high school girls. These two forms for advertisement Americanized the chest and keepsake box.

Contemporary times are different from the mid 1950s. Women today are liberated and dowries or trousseau's are no longer common traditions. Since Ancient Egypt people still treasure keepsakes. Precious keepsakes are still stored in chests and memory keepsake boxes. Additionally, these decorative chests, trunks or boxes add personal decor to any room. Contemporary interior design is currently a mix of new and old. Keepsake chest not only keeps the families keepsakes and treasures but adds flair to most rooms.

Provided: Gail Mercedes Cole EXP Realty

(310) 853-9933