As your humble webmaster, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the members of the unit who have shown such wonderful support for the East India Company chest project.  My goal on this is not to make a profit, but to give members in the unit an opportunity to have a useful storage chest that is functional and, when several are placed in camp together, give the impression of a unit who has just successfully plundered a British convoy of their newly imported goods.  Kristy and I were always forgetting things when we would head off to events, so I made a chest that would carry all of our eating goods, and it's worked out great.

     For those may still be interested in getting one for themselves, I have included pictures of some completed chests below (blatant advertising, I know).  I can make them in any size, and will give reasonable rates that are little above the cost of materials (great for heavy stuff like cookware and eating utensils [especially coolers], not so good for bedding and pillows).  The standard sized chest measures 23" wide x 15" deep x 16" tall and contains over 2 cubic feet of storage space.  For our welcome visitors to our site, I apologize, but the chests are only for members of the unit ... sorry, I just can't make THAT many.

     Construction: Each chest is made of 1x8 cedar (light weight and aromatic), and reinforced with red oak cross members for strength.  All items are glued and screwed from the inside for strength (our camp kitchen contains over 75 pounds of cast iron cookware and is very sturdy), and square head nails used on all visible areas outside for authenticity.  Each contains a brass clasp to keep the lid closed and is hinged on the back with brass hinges, recessed for low visibility.  Each lid contains a chain to hold it open at a comfortable angle.  Half inch rope is placed at both ends for handles.  The East India Company logo is engraved then burnished into the top, with the owner's initials to personalize your chest (and to pick it out in the crowd).

     Thanks again for everyone's support.    

The original chest - our camp kitchen

Close-up of the E.I.C. logo

Close-up of Karen's camp kitchen

Close-up of Karen's camp kitchen logo

Inside showing the tray shelf

Space in the top for all utensils for a family of three

The bottom holds 2 Dutch ovens, 1 skillet, 1 pan, 1 kettle, 1 cooking grill and an axe

Three different chests

Kristy's NEW

camp kitchen

WOW ... now that is special

     Historical Note: Although the chests I make simulate those used by the East India Company for the general shipment of goods, they should not be confused with, or compared to, those which held the stores of tea made famous by the Boston Tea Party.  These chests are not the same as those tossed into Boston Harbor by the Indian dressed Bostonians.  An actual chest is shown here.

     The Tea Chest was constructed and painted in China during the second half of the 18th century. It was used by the East India Company for the exportation of tea from China to the American colonies.

CLICK HERE to read more about this particular tea chest