When were Cavalier cedar chests made

A. Your chest is a 1920s-early 1940s piece made by the Cavalier furniture company, founded in 1865 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The company was known for bedroom sets and cedar chests. Rec room collectors know that later, the firm diversified by making Coca-Cola vending machines.

When were Cavalier cedar chests made? - Google Search

Age. Most antique cedar chests have a serial number engraved or stamped on a section of the chest. This serial number also doubles as their manufacturing date of the chest. An interesting fact to note is that the serial number is to be read backward (i.e. from right to left).

How do I identify a cedar chest?

Examine the cedar chest for a maker’s mark or company name. In antique chests or newer high-quality chests, this mark is usually burned or stamped onto the wood; a few may have a paper tag. In the case of newer low-quality chests, there may be a sticker.

Are old cedar chests worth anything?

Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests — based on their age, condition or rarity — starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.

How much is a Roos cedar chest worth?

Plain Roos cedar chests generally sell in the $100 to $150 range, but this one is probably more in the $150 to $200 range.

What year is my cedar chest?

How old is my cedar chest? Usually Lane cedar chests have serial numbers that are stamped or applied to the bottom of the chests. You can read the serial number BACKWARDS to determine the production date. For example: serial number 753150 would have been produced on 05/13/57.

Is Cavalier furniture still in business?

In 1987 the Cavalier division filed for bankruptcy and was spun off as an employee-owned company. The company closed in August 2000.

Can you store quilts in a cedar chest?

Cedar chests are not ideal places to store your quilts. The acid from the wood can easily transfer to your quilt, causing discoloration and staining. But if a cedar chest is your only storage option or you really want to use the chest for this purpose, then slip your quilts into cotton pillowcases first.

When did Lane stop making cedar chests?

The last Lane cedar chest to be manufactured in the United States rolled off the production line in the summer of 2001, and the plant closed for good.

How long does a cedar chest last?

You can purchase cedar hangers, cedar blocks for moths, and sachets for your clothes and bureaus, but they will be effective for about 3 months.

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What is the purpose of a cedar chest?

A hope chest, also called dowry chest, cedar chest, trousseau chest, or glory box is a piece of furniture traditionally used by unmarried young women to collect items, such as clothing and household linen, in anticipation of married life.

Does cedar lose its smell?

Fresh, fresh cedar in quantity can be smelled from much farther away! All cedar will dry over time as oil evaporates into the air (like it should). As scent fades, sand your cedar or spray it with Cedar Power Spray. A light touch will do.

How much does a cedar chest weigh?

Chest Weight: 50 lbs. Packaged Weight: 74 lbs.

What goes in a traditional hope chest?

Items in the hope chest traditionally included dishes, sheets, clothes, cooking accessories, and other household necessities. At the time when hope chests rose to popularity and for many decades afterward, a bride would be responsible for many household duties, so she brought what she would need with her.

How do you refinish an old cedar chest?

1. Apply a chemical paint stripper to the exterior of the chest, using a paintbrush. …
2. Scrape the softened finish away, using a paint scraper. …
3. Sand the wood with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the surface and to remove any traces of finish that remain.

What do you clean a cedar chest with?

Mild Maintenance– Furniture polish and furniture polish rag. Wipe down the exterior, wiping towards the direction of the wood grain. Moderate– Murphy’s Oil Soap or White Vinegar (especially if there is mold or mildew spots). Use a lint free cloth, wring out excess moisture and wipe down the exterior.

How do you line a cedar chest with fabric?

Wrap the fabric with acid-free paper. You can also slip that into a cotton pillowcase for extra protection before putting it in the cedar chest. You might even want to line the entire cedar chest with a bed sheet or even Tyvek (just make sure the words are not on the fabric side).

Where was cavalier furniture made?

Your chest is a 1920s-early 1940s piece made by the Cavalier furniture company, founded in 1865 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The company was known for bedroom sets and cedar chests.

Is it safe to store photos in a cedar chest?

Yes, with proper preparation you can store photos in your cedar chest. Your pictures capture moments in history that would sadly disappear in your memory over time. Keeping your photos in your cedar chest will ensure their continuing preservation for the familial generations to come.

How can I make my cedar chest smell good again?

Wet a lint-free white cloth with white vinegar, wringing out excess moisture. Wipe down all interior surfaces of the chest, then let the chest air dry while open. Repeat if needed to remove any remaining spots or slight odors.

Are hope chests still popular?

The hope chest of the past, also called a wedding or dower chest, is still a popular piece of furniture, although it is no longer used in the traditional way. In 17th and 18th century America, a hope chest was given to a young girl.

What type of wood are Lane cedar chests made of?

The inside of the chest is lined with cedar, which protects woolens from wool-eating moths, since cedar has a natural resistance to bugs. The company used a variety of exterior woods such as cherry, maple and walnut, and often included detailed carvings on the chest’s exterior.

Why did Lane stop making cedar chests?

Product Safety Advisory – Lane Cedar Chests After safety issues exposed the (old) latch configuration’s fault, a new, safe lock mechanism with the ability to open from inside the chest was implemented and the former lock styles were removed from the Lane manufacturing process.

What is a waterfall cedar chest?

Designed with a unique waterfall top, flat sides and cedar bottom, this attractive chest also features stylish carvings that include a poignant “Bless This Home” message (the piece is also available without carvings if you prefer). …

Will bed bugs get in cedar chest?

-That’s right cedar oil, from you know, cedar trees. People have been using cedar chests for hundreds, if not thousands of years to keep bugs out. Cedar oil in liquid form is basically the same thing, bugs hate it! It will kill bed bugs on contact; however it doesn’t leave much, if any residual effect.

Is it OK to store quilts in plastic bags?

Thou shalt not store a quilt in a plastic container or bag. This method often causes mold and mildew because it traps in any moisture, causing fibers to break down and leaving discoloration and staining.

Can you use a cedar chest as a coffee table?

Coffee table. Coffee tables provide the perfect spot to rest your cup of Joe while relaxing after a long day. Cedar chests provide an attractive and classic look as a centerpiece to your living room. For added protection for your cedar chest you can add a piece of glass or plexiglass over the top.

Do cedar chests work?

Unfortunately, the effectiveness of cedar chests in repelling clothes moths is overstated. Not that cedar doesn’t work, it just doesn’t work for very long, or very well. The heartwood of red cedar does contain volatile oils that will kill clothes moth larvae… when the oils are in high concentration.

Do cedar chests keep moths away?

Cedar-lined closets are also reputed to repel moths – but their reputation probably derives from well-built cedar chests, which moths could not invade because they were built so tightly. Cedar oil may repel moths at high concentrations but cedar lumber loses most of its oil a few years after cutting.

Do cedar balls wear out?

It is quite common for the scent of the cedar blocks to fade after some time. As a rule of thumb, good cedar blocks can last for a period of 3 to 7 years. The best way to renew the strength of cedar blocks is by sanding its exterior with sandpaper. You can do it more frequently if its fragrance fades quickly.

Do people still buy cedar chest?

Cedar chests can be found in furniture stores and are also sold by woodworkers. Vintage cedar chests can be found at antique shops and auctions.