Cedar Chests Have Been Treasured for Centuries
Cedar Chests Have Been Treasured for Centuries
We're always looking for ways to protect our most prized possessions. Of course, for our houses, cars, and properties, we have insurance, and high-tech theft protection devices and alarm systems. However, when it comes to our most beloved belongings, which include family photographs, old letters, fine linens, baby shoes, or a grandmother's quilt, we prefer the time-honored, tried-and-true method of putting them into our cedar chests.
Indeed, there's something very special about a cedar chest. The mere sight of it brings us comfort; and it's wonderful, unmistakable aroma seems to soothe us to our very souls. Moreover, besides safeguarding the keepsakes that we intend to pass on through the generations, it, too, is a priceless heirloom. Therefore, it's no wonder that cedar chests, as well as other storage containers, such as jewelry boxes and silverware chests, have been so vital to households, for hundreds of years.
In fact, they can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, where wooden chests were used for storing gold, jewelry, documents, and other valuables. Throughout the centuries, in every culture, great emphasis has been placed on boxes of every size, from tiny prayer boxes, which were worn as necklaces, to wood storage chests that could hold many household items; and some of the latter types were quite massive. For example, Europeans used to cut down the largest trees that they could find, and use them, whole, to carve out one-piece chests.
Around the world, and across the ages, these boxes have been constructed from every material imaginable, including stone, wood, marble, gold, silver, copper, glass, steel, porcelain, and crystal. They have featured intricate, carved designs, and have been etched, engraved, inscribed, and decorated with beads, jewels, shells, pearls, precious metals, ivory, and symbols of every description. Many of these boxes have been and still are the focal points of holiday, family, religious, and secular traditions.
Early American colonists, whose homes had damp cellars, and no closets, used cedar chests for storing blankets, linens, clothes, and whatever little bits of finery they owned. Since chairs were also scarce, the chests doubled as benches. Actually, storage chests were so essential to the households that, according to the logs of many ships that transported settlers to America, they were often the only possessions that families brought with them. Years later, the same was true of many pioneers who traveled west.
Naturally, chests can be made from other types of wood, with pine, oak, mahogany, cherry, and walnut, being some of the most common. Cedar is ideal, however, because of its innate ability to repel insects and resist decay, and its distinct, fresh, universally appealing aroma. As a matter of fact, these characteristics are so desirable that even chests that are made from other woods are often lined with cedar.
Aside from its capacity for keeping things in immaculate condition, the cedar chest is a striking, elegant piece of furniture that can instantly bring a warm, cozy atmosphere to any room. Furthermore, because it will complement any dcor, it makes an ideal housewarming, birthday, wedding, or holiday gift.
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