Hope Chests
I've been doing some reading about the history of hope chests or dowry chests. In their most traditional sense they are a trunk or chest which would hold the items an unmarried woman would bring to her married life from her old. Things such as clothing, linens, silver, family memories and so fourth. These boxes also known as glory boxes were in themselves works of art and often made in pairs. During the renissance era these boxes were often more expensive and more important than what the piece of artwork actually held. Called cassone in Italian, the box was decorated with paintings, sometimes inlaid with fine woods and covered in gesso and gilded. This showy item was then placed in the bride's suite and would hold her most prized items. Essentially her life and her most important things were this box. Here are some beautiful examples:
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Florence, 15th century. Oil paintings and gilded gesso
The Nerli wedding chest. 1472. This is very rare as it has its backboard. The scenes on the chest were to inspire and teach the newly married couple lessons about life.
15th C. Birth of Venus
Another beautiful gilded example.
Not all chests were so rich and fancy however.
Much simpler, but still stunning hand painted Dutch chests from the 18th century.
American Example with the couples names:
This tradition has deep roots, and they still exist today, although not as frequently. I have heard stories of a girl given a chest when she was 12 or 13 and filling it until she was married. I think it's a really charming and sentimental custom that transcends cultures and should continue to live on. This box, a woman's only link to her old life introduced into a new, unfamiliar life that will soon shape her future. Whether simple or ornate, gilded or simply painted each one is a work of art. Imagine the stories each of these chests could tell.
Australian examples.
Swedish examples
If you like what you read and want to see this blog and projects keep going PLEASE feel free to donate something, even if it's only a little bit. Every little bit helps on this restoration project. Thanks again!
_01.jpg)
Not all chests were so rich and fancy however.
Much simpler, but still stunning hand painted Dutch chests from the 18th century.
American Example with the couples names:
This tradition has deep roots, and they still exist today, although not as frequently. I have heard stories of a girl given a chest when she was 12 or 13 and filling it until she was married. I think it's a really charming and sentimental custom that transcends cultures and should continue to live on. This box, a woman's only link to her old life introduced into a new, unfamiliar life that will soon shape her future. Whether simple or ornate, gilded or simply painted each one is a work of art. Imagine the stories each of these chests could tell.
If you like what you read and want to see this blog and projects keep going PLEASE feel free to donate something, even if it's only a little bit. Every little bit helps on this restoration project. Thanks again!
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