Fine Hand CarvingLiberty
CarvingsFine Hand Carving
If you were an able seaman 200 years ago, shipping out on a whaling voyage from Nantucket, or even on a crack clipper journey around the Horn to California, you would have carried your worldly belongings aboard-ship in a seachest. If your ship were caught in the doldrums, the sails flapping loosely for days on end while the skipper waited for wind, you might have wiled away the hours by carving a design on the front of your chest.
We are pleased to offer a genuine solid-wood, wide-board, all-dovetail handcarved seachest in Honduran mahogany or longleaf cedar. The classic slant-front design stems from the need for Customs officials to easily open the chests, when stacked closely on deck for inspection. The long-tail steel hinges are hand forged, and the beckets (handles) are hand-knotted of cotton twine.
The fronts of our seachests are fully carved with the famous clipper ship "Southern Cross" under full sail; Or with the nostalgic "Lobstering" depicting a dory lobsterman pulling his traps. A banner beneath the carving can also be carved with the customer’s name. Or, we can carve the front of the seachest with a one-of-a-kind scene from a drawing provided by our customer.
These handsome chests find many uses in the modern home. They double as a coffee table, toy box, or tool storage. If made from aromatic cedar, they make an excellent blanket chest. An inner compartment with sliding lid provides a place for safekeeping small items.
A miniature chest of the same pattern is also available, suitable for a dresser-top jewelry box or for children's special treasures.
For Naval retirement gifts, we offer the seachest with a full-length removeable interior tray instead of the small compartment. The sides of the tray are rabbeted to accept a a f glass or plexiglass cover, so the customer can use it as a shadow-box to display special items.
On all Seachest orders, please specify clipper ship or lobstering scene; and name to be carved on banner if desired.
Seachest, full size, Finished w. Shellac over natural wood color. Click image for a larger view.
Photo of large seachest shows hand-knotted beckets of cotton twine; "Southern Cross" clipper ship carving; and name carved in banner.
| Item | Size in inches |
| Seachest, full size, Finished w. Shellac over natural wood color | 41L x 19H x 20 W |
Mini Seachest, Finished w. Shellac over natural wood color. Click image for a larger view.
Photo of Mini Seachest shows "Lobstering" carving and uncarved banner.
| Item | Size in inches |
| Mini Seachest , Finished w. Shellac over natural wood color | 21" x 14" x 11 ½" High |
For availability and ordering information, go to the Ordering Page.
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email: william3@finewoodcarving.com
Site updated 30 August 2005