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This white oak chest was
commissioned as a wedding gift, from the groom to
the bride. Both were active in a historical
reenactment society, and the chest was to hold
their finest garments at events. The chest was to
be sturdy enough that a large person could casually
sit or stand on the lid without fear of any part of
the chest breaking. Any clothing stored in the
chest should stay completely dry, even if it got
left out in a pouring rain. The appearance and
decorations were to be suitable for a chest circa
1500 to 1600 AD. Yet the chest should be light
enough in weight that it could easily be carried
while fully loaded with clothing.
I designed their chest as a
true
frame and panel design.
The hinges and handles were solid cast brass. The
lid is over one inch thick, and is set into the top
frame with a double interlocking groove, to seal
out moisture. The rim of the chest and of the lid
frame are milled with an interlocking seal to keep
water and dust out. With the exception of the
carved egg and dart trim around the rim of the
chest lid, all the millwork and construction was
done in my shop.There were 50 seperate pieces of
wood that were individually milled and assembled to
make the chest (see below). When fully assembled,
the chest was light in weight, and so tightly
fitted that tapping on the sides of the chest
sounded like tapping on a drum.
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