Already a member?
Sign in
Welcome! Wikis are websites that everyone can build together. It's easy!
- EasyEdit
- Edit tags
- Email page
-
(what's this?What are these tools?
People just like you can add or edit the content on this site. If you want to try editing, but aren't ready to add to this site, try our demo area.
Read more about editing pages at Wetpaint Central.
)
Blanket Chests
The handmade blanket chest (or six-board blanket box)—with or without drawers, painted or stained, decorated or plain—is the quintessential piece of country furniture. Generally made of pine (although most readily available and easily worked woods were used), blanket boxes were so simple to construct that they were often made on the farms where they were used. Every family had one or more, and that’s why they are still plentiful today.
In the classic six-board construction, the end panels are vertical-grain boards, usually with a shape cut into the base to create a foot. The grain runs horizontally on the front, back, and top. Early New England chests were held together with hand-forged T-nails (or, later, after about 1790, square nails) rather than dovetails. They were usually painted on the top, front, and sides, but not on the back or inside. Hinges on New England chests were usually snipe (cotter pin) hinges. Rarely, strap hinges were used, or, on later examples, butt hinges. A cleat was often nailed to the edge of the underside of the lid to assure a tight fit and prevent the top from warping. In the earliest chests, these cleats were held in place by T-head nails or, more rarely, wooden pegs.
Share your thoughts on collecting these classic pieces and how you display them in your home.
In the classic six-board construction, the end panels are vertical-grain boards, usually with a shape cut into the base to create a foot. The grain runs horizontally on the front, back, and top. Early New England chests were held together with hand-forged T-nails (or, later, after about 1790, square nails) rather than dovetails. They were usually painted on the top, front, and sides, but not on the back or inside. Hinges on New England chests were usually snipe (cotter pin) hinges. Rarely, strap hinges were used, or, on later examples, butt hinges. A cleat was often nailed to the edge of the underside of the lid to assure a tight fit and prevent the top from warping. In the earliest chests, these cleats were held in place by T-head nails or, more rarely, wooden pegs.
Share your thoughts on collecting these classic pieces and how you display them in your home.
Latest page update: made by Anonymous, May 24 2007, 12:13 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited anonymously
16 words added
view changes
- complete history)
Edited anonymously
16 words added
view changes
- complete history)
More Info: links to this page