Featured Age of antique trunk

Any ideas on how old this trunk may be?

 

I have no idea why I was thinking elephants
Beautiful trunk though.

 

I was expecting a steamer trunk, not this beautiful chest. Is it cedar?

 

Agreed,very nice. I like the simplistic look. Looks like a blanket chest

 

Very old elephants.

So was I, and I agree with Boland, it looks more like a blanket chest.

 

Tweaked one of the photos a bit, maybe it is too light now, but at least we have a better idea of the carving.
As I suspected, the central part is a 'tree of life' symbol. That is traditionally used for dowry chests, which were later used as blanket chests.
Are there two locks? Could we see the mechanisms?

 

Where from or found? If those 2 dark spots on the front are related to locking mechanisms they seem to be oddly placed.

 

Definitely locks. Perhaps placed at either end to deter warping of the lid or to add additional security. The lid does appear to be two slabs or it has a trim piece fastened to the underside of a thin slab. There appears to be a small rectangular impression below the left keyhole?

 

Any known history? Where found? Can we have a look at those strap hinges? Am thinking 4th quarter of the 19th century but could be a bit older. Wood makes me think this could be a colonial piece.

 

Here in the US they were often known as 'hope chests', where a girl/young woman would store the output of her needlework on sheets, pillowcases, tea towels, etc., in the hope of marrying & having a home of her own to furnish.

I would also like to see the sides & a corner showing how the wood was joined. I'm sure that would help @verybrad in his assessment.

Until a better pic is provided:

 

Thanks Bronwen, that is definitely a lock.

A dowry can also contain valuables, so locks would be needed.
This Frisian 1877 'knottenkistje', which a young man would present to a young lady in the hope that she accept his offer of marriage, is one of those valuables:



It also contained silver and gold coins as a sign that he could provide for her, although Frisian ladies were often rather independent, also financially. My female Frisian ancestors had their own shops, while their husbands had another profession.

 

I rarely disagree with Brad, but this doesn’t look right to me. I maybe could go with late 19th century, but if so then the carving looks later to me, not earlier. We really need MUCH better pics. ALL sides including bottom, full shots of inside, and show the hardware including handles on side.