The Piece
A richly detailed Ed Roos “Forest Park Chest” cedar hope chest, made in Forest Park, Illinois circa 1925, combining solid cedar practicality with dramatic Neo-Renaissance styling. The front is anchored by a deeply modeled central panel of scrolling acanthus and shield cartouche, flanked by inset polychrome crest plaques and figured wood tablets. Carved beaded moldings trace the lid and base, while stout bun feet and block toes ground the piece with architectural weight. Inside, the chest is fully lined in aromatic red cedar and retains its original Forest Park Chest paper label and factory stamp.

Design & Construction

→ Form & Style:
Low, rectangular hope chest form with a flat, overhanging lid and robust front elevation. The central relief panel reads like a miniature architectural frieze—foliate scrollwork curling around a blank shield medallion—evoking European Renaissance and early 20th-century revival furniture. On either side, square inset panels display heraldic crests in red and green against a metallic background, framed in molded surrounds that add depth and color. Vertical end tablets of contrasting wood and roundel medallions at the corners complete the facade, giving the chest the presence of a small coffer or cassone.

→ Material:
The carcass is constructed of solid aromatic red cedar, visible and beautifully grained on the interior, with an exterior veneered in warm, medium-toned hardwood—likely walnut or walnut-stained gumwood—chosen for its even figure. The decorative front panels appear to be cast or pressed composition with a metallic finish and hand-touched polychrome details, typical of Roos’s higher-style catalog chests. The overall finish has a mellow sheen that highlights both the carved details and the natural wood.

→ Joinery & Hardware:
Built as a factory-made premium chest by the Ed Roos Company of Forest Park, the piece features sturdy case construction with glued and nailed joints and a fully lined cedar interior. The lid is fitted with original brass or brass-plated hinges and safety supports. Inside the lid, the branded “E.R. Co., Forest Park, Ill.” stamp and printed Forest Park Chest label remain intact, providing both instructions for use and a guarantee of genuine Tennessee aromatic red cedar.

History & Provenance

Founded in the early 20th century, the Ed Roos Company of Forest Park became one of the best-known American makers of cedar chests, marketing them as hope chests, blanket chests, and storage pieces for linens and woolens. This example, with its heraldic panels and Neo-Renaissance ornament, reflects the late 1920s–early 1930s taste for romantic European revival styles in domestic furniture—designed to feel substantial, Old World, and decorative at the foot of a bed or in a formal living room. The survival of both the interior label and factory brand firmly ties the chest to the company’s Forest Park, Illinois workshop just outside Chicago.

Condition

Excellent vintage condition overall. The exterior wood shows a rich, even tone with minor surface wear and small marks consistent with age, but no major losses or structural damage. The decorative front panels retain strong detail and color. The cedar interior is clean and aromatic, with the original Forest Park Chest paper label intact and legible. Hardware appears original and functions smoothly, with the lid opening and closing properly. Ready for immediate use as storage, a coffee table, or end-of-bed chest.

Product Details

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This Ed Roos Forest Park chest delivers storage, sculpture, and story in a single piece. The aromatic cedar interior makes it ideal for blankets, textiles, or seasonal wardrobe, while the highly detailed front and substantial form let it double as a statement coffee table or end-of-bed anchor. The heraldic panels and carved central frieze read beautifully in moody, collected interiors—pair it with vintage rugs, dark walls, and art for a European salon vibe, or let it warm up a minimalist bedroom with a single, character-rich antique.