CEDAR BIBLE BOX
Cedar
Bible Boxes of all shapes and sizes have
been used for just about everything
imaginable. They have held tiny trinkets,
used for shipping, and then used to hold
various items. The cigar box has been used
in stores before there were cash registers
and are still being used on occasion for
yard sales. The Bible box held many items
too, but nothing as precious as the family
Bible.
Some cedar
Bible boxes were built with a stand so it
was more of a piece of furniture in the
home. And the person reading it would not
have ot wrestle with carrying it from one
place to another. They just opened the Bible
on the stand and started reading.
The family
Bible held names and dates of births,
marriages, deaths and was passed down from
generation to generation. The Bible box was
usually hand made by someone in the family
as a gift to the newlyweds to hold the
precious Bible. And generally, the deed for
their land was enclosed in the box along
with photos and private papers such as
letters. Many times the parents would die
and the children would never have seen its
contents except for the Bible. When they
opened it to find pictures and letters from
their parents and other relatives, they were
pleasantly surprised. Now it was their turn
to protect the contents.
It wasn't
until the 17th
century that Bible boxes were manufactured.
Before that, they were hand made. It may
have been a plain box, a box with the family
name on it, or a beautifully carved box. As
wood to make the box was usually plentiful,
a tree was cut down and lumber made of it.
And the Bible box was built knowing it would
become a part of the home décor and seen by
all who entered. Of course, the Bible box
was kept close for daily readings and
prayers.
Some of
the cedar Bible box lids slid off, some
pulled off, others raised or had hinges.
Bibles were expensive and needed to be
protected form the weather and insects while
traveling by stage coach or covered wagon.
And it wasn't uncommon to find saddlebags
holding the family Bible box. Every colonial
home had a Bible tucked safely into the
Bible box.
The boxes
were made out of many types of wood, but the
cedar box was best. It was lighter weight,
protected the Bible and all of the contents
from moisture and insects as well as
smelling delightful. It was easy to take
care of and the fragrance added to the home
too.
We make
our Bible boxes out of cedar in the mill
behind our home. Between the beauty of the
grain and fragrance, it is a delight to see
it come to life. We have a real passion for
the Eastern red cedar and for the hand
crafting of each Bible box.
Also on
our property is our craft shop, the Purple
Pansy where you can shop to your hearts
content. Stop by and see for yourself the
hand crafted items and visit the mill if you
would like to see where everything is hand
crafted. We can custom make just about
anything you can think of. Just give us the
idea of what you have in mind.
