Chests (481)

A chest, coffer or kist, is a sturdy box with a lid and often a lock, used especially for storage.

Historical Information of the Chest

In Medieval and early Renaissance times in Europe chests were often used as benches, while taller chests were used as tables.

Many early Portable desks were stacked chests, with the top one having its lid on the side, to serve as a writing surface when opened.

A hope chest, dowry chest, or glory box is a chest used to collect items of clothing or household linen, by unmarried young women in anticipation of married life. In the 15th and 16th century Italy, these chests were called cassones, extremely decorated to display wealth and carry dowry goods amongst dynastic marriages.

The chest is the ancestor of the Trunk, and eventually leads us to the chest of drawers and finally the wardrobe.

Other Languages

• French: coffre
• Italian: cassa, cassapanca
• Japanese: 大箱
• Chinese (Traditional): 大櫃子
• German: die Kiste
• Russian: сундук