Roos Cedar Hope Chest Value Guide

The Roos Cedar Hope Chest is a quintessential piece of American furniture history, produced by the renowned Roos Manufacturing Company during the 1930s and 1940s. These chests are highly collectible for their dual-purpose design, combining elegant exterior wood carvings with a functional cedar lining intended to protect a bride's dowry from moths.

What Is Roos Cedar Hope Chest Worth?

The typical price range for Roos Cedar Hope Chest is $300 - $400 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall condition of the exterior finish and the preservation of the interior cedar aroma.
• Presence of original hardware, including the lock mechanism, hinges, and decorative handles.
• The complexity and intactness of the ornate carved legs and decorative front paneling.
• Market demand for 1930s-1940s American furniture, with typical specimens fetching between $300 and $400.

How to Identify Roos Cedar Hope Chest?

• Look for the original Roos Manufacturing Company maker's mark or metal nameplate usually located inside the lid.
• Examine the legs for the specific ornate, turned, or cabriole styling characteristic of the 1930-1940 design era.
• Verify the presence of a genuine aromatic cedar wood lining, which should still retain a faint scent if well-preserved.
• Check the front panel for decorative relief carvings or book-matched wood veneers typical of Roos craftsmanship.

History of Roos Cedar Hope Chest

Hope chests, also known as cedar chests or dowry chests, have a rich history dating back centuries. Traditionally, these chests were used to store linens, clothing, and other household goods accumulated by a young woman in anticipation of her marriage. The cedar lining was highly valued for its natural ability to repel moths and other insects, thus protecting the precious contents. The Roos Manufacturing Company was a prominent producer of cedar chests in the United States, known for their quality craftsmanship and stylish designs during the early to mid-20th century.