Firstly I researched on the internet a traditional treasure chest:
Evidence of treasure chests was found in the 1500's. A treasure
chest was originally associated w
ith pirates. During quick getaways they had to get rid of their stolen treasure and hide it so it would not be found. They were traditionally made of wood and nailed shut and then buried. They the
n made a treasure map so they could re-locate where it had been hidden or buried. It was also made popular with famous novels such as "treasure island."
People that found the chest's said they were found to be functional and 'glimmering' They were often elaborately decorated and held coins and other treasures. In addition chest's that have been found are missing one big part of the myth - there were no hinges or padlocks, which create the image of a treasure chest used in history and storybooks.
Then the classic treasure chest developed in the 1800's to a storage trunk. Originally they were used by people when traveling (like a suitcase.) Their basic shape and design was a rectangular box covered in
thick canvas and or metal strips. Some were covered with metal trimmings and then sometime with paper until the late 1800's when the manufacturers lined it with cloth As the 19th century unfolded, they became more elaborate and had large locks where the lid and then box end met
. The trunks were mainly made of pine - popular woods. Theys embossed with patterns. However some historians think that the Egyption's used these. The interiors of the trunks were li
nes
required many hours of hard work to make. Some people used them as tables with stora
ge. One type of trunk is the true streamer trunk. It is half the
height of a normal trunk and were mainly used in voyages; everything needed during a voyage was packed into them.
Then trunks developed so that the lid of the trunk is raised and a tray is also in the box. also, a metal frame is hinged to the boxed so you can lift it. The tray can usually be lifted out of the frame if wanted. There are also drawers - and interlock is attached during transport they do not open.
Another type of trunk is the dresser trunk. These type of trunks were quite elaborate and were almost as big as wardrobes. Some even had mirrors in, it didn't break because it was a polished metal.
The processed involved in the creation of each of these chest are all similar. They would have to use saws, something which would not be very high-tech and developed when these types of chests were built in the 1500's - 1800's. Also they would only be made by using hand tools because, again they do not have the technology like we have today. They would be individually made so they would have taken a long time to make and people would have them made for a specific purpose. Different techniques and skills have
been used on each chest, they will a
ll be different because different cultures and people will make them differently. For example a Spanish made chest would maybe be more decorative and ornate, however an English made chest may be more simple and basically decorated because that is the culture/ fashion at this time.
Even though wood is widely available the types of wood which would be specifically in demand like maple would be harder to get. The carpenter would have to import the wood, which in earlier times it would be extremely difficult and very expensive. The carpenter would have a restricted variety of wood they would be available to choose for how
ever, if they were impossible to import th
e wood it would make the chest expensive, making the type of people able to afford the chest during the earlier times would be wealthy and able to pay whatever.
Present day treasure chests;
Building a treasure chest today is easy, simple and something which you can do yourself. With developed technology and machines making cutting, sawing and sanding an easier task making a treasure chest is no longer something only carpenters and people of this trade can do. This website shows the process you would do to make a treasure chest. It is explained simply and easy to follow instructions... http://www.binkyswoodworking.com/PiratesChest.php
Materials are widely available today, you can for example go into a hardware store and buy wood, with a ride range of variety and accessories available within the store or on the internet, easy to access and get hold of. In addition, the price is reasonable whereas making a
chest in the earlier days was an expensive task.
Treasure chests and trunks are not really used in the present day. Suitcases and storage boxes have replaced the authentic style. Materials like plastic and metal have are now the most popular material to used for making storage spaces. Chest of drawers are the close
st thing we still have which we used in daily life. They are still made with wood and some are handcrafted still however they are mainly mass produced in factories and are all the same, this
is able to happen because of our technology and the large demand for storage space, the drawers are mainly used in our homes and bedrooms.
However today they can be made more contemporary, in many different
colours and styles.
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