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Article: Dower chests held the hopes of brides-to-be
- Article from:
- Chicago Sun-Times
- Article date:
- June 19, 1988
CopyrightCopyright (null) Chicago Sun-Times. (Hide copyright information)
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The tradition of providing a young girl with a dower chest to
fill with treasures for her wedding is centuries old.
Though it's not certain exactly when or where the custom
originated, by the 15th century most European families made sure each
daughter had a chest of her own. In the chest were stored precious
linens, blankets, china, silver and family heirlooms - all saved for
the longed-for marriage. When a young woman married she took the
chest, filled with many of the essentials of housekeeping, to her new
home.
Chests were some of the earliest pieces of furniture, made in
the days of ancient Egypt. They first were used to lock away church
treasures. Later, during the Middle Ages, ...