The Richard Gray Heart Chest
Richard Gray creates special pieces to commemorate life’s milestones, such as the Richard Gray “Heart Chest ” for the bride-to-be.
In the 19th century, aspiring brides would save their needlepoint and crocheted linens with hopes for their future life in beautiful wooden boxes called wedding, or ‘hope’ chests. Inspired by that tradition, Richard Gray created his own design and crafted versions of this chest as wedding presents for the dear daughters of cherished friends.
The Richard Gray “Heart Chest” has hand-cut, dovetailed corners and book-matched sides. Quietly visible are two hand-carved, heart-shaped dovetails (‘lovetails’) and scrolled feet that, if viewed closely, suggest a subtle heart-shape.
The finished chest can sit beside a wing chair, at the foot of a bed, or in front of a sofa. It can hold hopes and dreams or cherished memories; new baby linens or old photo albums.
Each chest is handcrafted to order, made to size from specially selected woods, with period hardware, and signed. An engraved brass plate, personalized with a special message, such as the couple’s names and wedding date, can be affixed to the underside of the lid.
