Originally Posted by
Daylesewblessed
It looks like a "hope" chest to me -- a place to store things made for a household start in the future. My hope chest in the 1960's was a primitive trunk that my grandmother brought from Germany in 1904. It was a slightly larger size, but didn't have the fancy hardware.
I agree that its definitely a Cedar Chest and quite possibly a Hope Chest as well. When I first saw it I immediately thought the wood trim and brass handles remind me of something from a church. Whatever it is, its a super find! As for the smell of Cedar, yes it will wash out or air out, and was used to keep wool items, from getting moth eaten. I have seen entire bedroom suites made of cedar. I'd sure give it a home!