Sea chests were used by sailors to store personal belongings, and are now coveted antiques. The design varies by era and country, with many having a wide bottom and sloping sides. They were kept in dormitories and contained cutlery, clothing, and seaman’s charts. Modern replicas are used for storage or as ornamental fixtures. They are expensive and should be inspected carefully before purchase.
A marine trunk is a type of wooden trunk historically used by sailors to store their belongings. Many sea chests were extremely well built, and as a result sea chests have become coveted antiques in some communities, with some families keeping chests that belonged to their ancestors. In addition to antique trunks, modern replicas can also be found, which can be used to store a wide variety of items.
The design of a chest varies according to the era in which it was produced and the country from which it comes. Many seaside chests have a distinctive profile, with a wide bottom and sloping sides leading to a smaller top. Some sea chests had curved tops, while others were left flat to facilitate storage, and many included drawers or shelves for the purpose of storing small and especially important items. Typically, a chest also comes with a sturdy lock and heavy handles so it can be moved around easily.
Historically, a sea chest would have been a sailor’s sacred personal possession and sailors did not touch each other without permission. Any number of things would have been contained in a sea chest, including cutlery, extra clothing, curiosities from various voyages and seaman’s charts, papers detailing a seaman’s skills and official position aboard ship. Sailors also kept references from former employers and mementos of home in their chests at sea.
Storage on a boat is often limited, so sailors would be expected to fit all of their personal items into their overboard chests. Sea chests were generally kept in dormitories, leaning against the wall or in another location that was as out of the way as possible. Some were quite ornate, with elegant carvings and beautiful construction, while others were kept simple and relatively plain.
In the modern era, it is common to see people using a chest for its original storage purpose, but these chests are also used as an ornamental fixture in some homes and can also be used as tables or seating. Many modern chests are crafted just like their historic versions, by skilled artisans who work by hand to create a custom chest, complete with dovetailed edges and carved detailing. Whether antique or modern, a chest tends to be an expensive purchase; When examining sea chests for purchase, it’s worth inspecting them carefully for signs of rotting and poor construction.
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