Antique 19th Century Handcrafted Wood and Iron Chest Trunk

Details

Description

A wonderful late 1800s trunk chest brought by my great grandmother from Germany when she was 16 years old. She … Read more A wonderful late 1800s trunk chest brought by my great grandmother from Germany when she was 16 years old. She came to America so she could escape the back breaking work at the flour mill on the Stutgart River that her father owned, only to marry a farmer and proceed to have 9 children who they raised in a small house with a wood cook stove that she used to the end. She died at 101 years old and wore her long dresses with buttoned up collars and a petticoat to the end, even through the heat and humidity during the summers in Saline, Michigan. The trunk lost it's hasp and key over the years and my father added the inside chains to hold the top upright when open. He also added the hand forged hanging iron handle for easy opening. I'm not sure if the leather handles are original or were added later. With hand cut dovetailed corners it also has hand forged iron rectangular top nails, and bracings for extra strength. In very good condition for it's age. See less