Friday, October 27, 2006

The Old Trunk

If antiques could talk, I wonder what story this old trunk would tell. Stories of riding on trains and carriages... stories of carrying pretty dresses for a young woman (I believe it was my Great Grandmother) off to boarding school... Did it travel the seas? Across the country? The leather handles wore out long ago and were replaced with rope ones. And oh what character it displays with worn off travel tags and beat up edges! I use this old trunk to store my collection of antique quilts and quilt tops that I started that I'm sure will be antique before they are ever finished!
...and tucked in the cubby in the lid... the ring pillow from my wedding.

16 comments:

Beth said...

I love that trunk! What a great place to store your quilts. And its so cool to wonder where all it has traveled. I am to inherit a cedar chest from my Mom that has been in her family for years and it is gorgeous! She wanted to give it to me last year but I have to wait on a new house with a space to put it,lol. Hopefully next spring that will happen!

Anita said...

Oh, what a lovely ring pillow! I admire old stuff, I inherited the old dish from my grandmother that she got for her wedding in 1939. It's in a vitrine in our living room so that I can see - and admire - it every day.
I wonder how those quilts look like that you store in your trunk. Pleease, could you them to us?

createacraft said...

this is beautiful.. a part of the history.. so close to you.. this brings absolutely a very positive energy..
and it became a nice display.. with your ring pillow.. and these quilts..
I have two chests from my father .. and cherish hem a lot..
enjoy..

One Crabapple said...

Heyyyy , look-it here. How wonderful is this !?

That ring pillow tucks in perfectly in this little spot.

It is very sweet , and reflective of your personality I think.

Listen ! I would LOVE to see some shots of the quilts - all of them , even the ones in thier different IN PROGRESS states.

What a special trunk , knowing it was your Grandmother's...Wondering about her and her travels....Keeping your treasures now .

This entry was a treat !
L/S

Micki said...

Great trunk and a wonderful place to store your treasured quilts in.

vicci said...

Cat...I love the old trunk!!! the wedding pillow is beautiful!

Mary Bee said...

I'm pretty positive this is an old Naval Cargo Trunk from WWI. I swear there was one in my family and it looked just like this. Is that a possibility? No matter what, it is really great. Love it!

Naturegirl said...

This relic breathes in new life with the addition of your quilts and treasured pillow wrapped in ribbons and lace! Oh yes it would be a delight to see some of the works of quilted art thrown over the chest for our eyes to see!

Cat said...

Oh my... I guess a few of you want to see what lies burried inside of the trunk... I will pull the quilts out and photograph them and post them... the quilter was acutally my Great Grandmother I think, I'll ask Mom for the history on them... BTW - I made our ring pillow and my matching wedding dress! Someday I'll find the dress and photo it too.

Anonymous said...

Wow what a lovely trunk, I have been looking for something similar for years. If I ever find one I want to have it at the end of my bed for all my treasures and with a nice blanket over the top hope that my cats will sleep there instead of on my feet.

Cat said...
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Anonymous said...

Cat;
I love that old trunk and seeing it on your blog floods back the memories. It really holds a wealth of family history. I can remember when I was a little girl and that old trunk was stored in the storage shed out behind the house. My girl friend and I used to go out there and play dress up with the beautiful old dresses that were stored in it. We would spend hours playing in that trunk and looking at the treasures it held. My Great Grandparents (would be your Great, Great Grandparents) were plantation owners in No. Carolina and were burned out during the Civil War. They gathered up the few belongings they could salvage and migrated into Texas with their young family. The old trunk was one thing that went with them by horse drawn carriage. Your Great Grandma was a small girl at the time. Years later when she was a teenager, the old trunk and a smaller stage coach box were packed with her things and she went off to finishing school. Many years later when she died at 99, the old trunk came up from her cellar and became my mothers (your Grandmother). When she was old and didn't have much time left, she passed it on to me. If she were alive today, she would be 96. I passed it directly on to you so that you could enjoy it while you were young. As far as I know the story on the old trunk, You are the fifth generation to store your treasures in "That Old Trunk."
Love, Mom

Gerry said...

What a great trunk, and packed full of goodies too. It's good to see you having a little 'me' time.

kansasrose said...

What a story this is! You are telling it so well...I love reading your story about your fascinating family...you have inherited this "gene"! That trunk is just awesome! Your wedding ring pillow belongs in it...

Anonymous said...

This is such a treasure. and thank you to your Mom for providing the "pedigree."

To be cherished!

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

Treasure chest of your good hope and loving life memories, I see it is overflowing!