Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-10-11
The Lad for Linen Che.,,.

The linen caest l. once more as
suming Importance in American
ZONES. Housewives have always had
their household linen, but the linen
chest as an institution means more
that that. In Europe IL has always
kept its prestige but in modern days
tic linen al tLc AIMS riCan bride mas
fcen bought in wholesale iashica at
lhe same tin,e with her rousseau.
Perhaps il las been because the mod
EN- girl is less prone than her great
grim lM0thCr WIS 20 consider matri-
mony and : home ri her own as the
groat essential things toward which
Al. girl-life moves.
Ii may DC that the linen chest was
eibowed aside with many a. >ther ira
ui,icn in lie emancipation OF the young
woman. aud that .,igher education
rooted OF tho old-time feminine taste
for boarding fire linen against a day
cf honlc-making. If ell that is true,
then the new fad fov linen chests may
he harbirger of welcome reaction.
The day of a golden feminine mean
may be at hand. Everywhere in the
shops today one finds linen chests.
more or less eiaEoratc. For few dol
lars one may buy very plain oak or
cherry chest, and the price ranges
from that modest sum far up into the
hundreds.
Nothing bur a fine antique will do
for some young women. and genuine
CID chests whose heavy wood is finely
carved and rich with the color and
iustre Of centuries are not sold for a
song imitation antiques are plenti-
full and some of them are attractive
enough e any one puys them for what
they are and DOGS not pay the price
CT real antiques Tor them.
There are fine old inlaid chests
chiefly Italian. and ore recently impor-
chiefly Italian. and one recently i'm
ported for the daughter of New York
man cost tiebuyer s2.500. Another of
French Workmanship. inset with exqui-
size moiallicns OF painted ivory, is val
rod 4. 5000. \ richly modern French
chest. made to fill a New York order,
is OF dari, oak severely plain. bu:
mounted iT wonderful art nouyeau
n:etal worl: set with semi-rrecious
stones.
Here at home designers and artists
are turning their attention to the re-
vival. and one young Chicago artist
las made herself Name by her linen
chest designs. Haadwrought brass
and bronze cleaning enamels, hand
carving color staining. al are pressed
into service by her. and the results
she obtains are some times very beau
t.ful. One of her fancies is the decora-
ton of the inside OF the lid in color.
the exterior OF the chest may be dark.
heavily carved. unadorneG save for the
carvings Lift the i'll and one is con-
fionted by beautiful symbolic or con.
TentionaliZed design in glowing color.
Such chests are nos for all lovers of
linen, but linen all women must have.
and the earlier the collecting is begun
the more satisfactory the supply is
Hhen its owners wedding day comes.
The wise mother buys the linen chest
and begins stocking i: long before the
laughter is Old enough to take vital
interest in the proceedings.
Later she initiates the daughter into
joys of linen buying I'D linen owning
This ought to be an easy matter eveD
with the modern. undcmestic girl.
Gown deep in every truly feminine
heart turks the lo.e for fine linen.
One need only appeal TO that love in
the right way 10 make linen enthusi.
:.st OFT Of even a senior wrangler or
l.