The tradition of collecting together what the French refer to as a trousseau - precious linens, fine clothes and household items - in preparation for married life, is one that has roots in many cultures around the world (see p83). In the traditional country side communities of central and eastern Europe, from the 1600s until as recently as the 1980s, a hand-painted marriage chest would he commissioned by families as soon as a couple became engaged. The local cabinetmakers would set to work; then, on the occasion of the wedding, the chest would be filled with dowry items and proudly presented to the newlyweds. Helpfully, they were often marked with a wedding date and initials, or full name, of the bride (and sometimes groom).
Reassuringly heftyremains much the same. For example, there are often tulip motifs on marriage chests, which represent love.’ Many of these painted chests are adorned with butterflies, birds, bees, flowers and hearts, agrees John Cornall, a former art critic turned import and export wholesaler of folk art and country furniture, who has been buying and selling antique marriage chests for over 20 years. ‘It wasn’t just decoration; there was a symbolic element to it, too, expressing the hope that the young couple would go on to have plenty of children.’
