The Wythe County Historical Society has just obtained an immensely rare paint-decorated poplar blanket chest that originated in Wythe County. Hand-crafted, signed, and dated in 1812 by Johannes Huddle (1772-1839), the chest features a rectangular lid with original wrought-iron strap hinges, a base with three thumb-molded drawers framed by waist molding, and two oblong panels on the front. Each panel contains a large tulip in the center surrounded by four smaller tulips in all for corners. The chest is moderately worn, but in overall good condition for its age. J. Roderick “Roddy” Moore from Ferrum, Virginia owned the blanket chest before it was put up for auction. The chest’s new home is in the Thomas J. Boyd Museum in a decorative arts exhibit that is in preliminary stages of development. 
Johannes Huddle crafted many items within his lifetime and may have been inspired by the work of Johannes Rank (1763-1828). Huddle included popular features of other blanket chests on this model called motifs. Motif designs were painted on the lids and front sides, often representative of German culture and religious customs. For example, the tulips on this piece express a declaration of love. Pictures of tulips, daisies and lilies, rising and setting suns, as well as hearts and angels, appear on numerous other folk art pieces like tombstones and frakturs (birth and baptismal records). Blanket chests often held linens, clothing, blankets, and were also used to hold the dowry a woman brings her new husband. The term “hope chest” has evolved from this latter usage.