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This refers to the things a teen age girl would start collecting in anticipation of getting married. The chest itself could be very ornate or functionally plain. The contents varied a great deal, depending on the resources of the girl and her family. It was a custom in many countries dating back as far as the 6th century in Egypt. It was also called a Dower Chest.
A lot of the items such as clothing, table linens, bed linens, quilts and towels would be worked on by the women of the family, including the girl. They would make these items special with embroidery and other needlework. These things could possibly be worked on for several years. The chest would need to be big enough for the contents and portable, since most girls took the chest with them when they married.
General list
Household linens as listed above (multiple sets for each type)
Underwear and nightclothes
Slippers, stockings and gloves
Aprons
“Personal” linens
Jewelry
Clothes for everyday use and some for special occasions
Sometimes china, silverware and glassware
Toiletries and hair care items
After the wedding, the chest would become part of the family furniture. Storage for extra blankets or bedding, also for storing the wedding dress.
A nice little custom from the past.
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Random thought:
The youngest picture of yourself is also the oldest picture of yourself.
