Large Swedish hope chest from the first years of the 19th century.  This chest is in original, untouched condition with the original paint. The lid of the chest is painted very decoratively on the inside with flowers and leaves. It includes the name of the what was likely the original owner, and a year. The outside by contrast is painted a more restrained black.

A hope chest was traditionally where an unmarried woman would store household items in preparation for if or when she’d marry. The date inside this chest, 1802, was when this particular chest was painted which could potentially be the year when the original owner married. Working lock and key. The chest is completely hand-made and has unusually well-worked feet.

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