This cedar chest was floating in six inches of water when I found it. It was in the flooded basement of a house that I was preparing to be removed.

 With up to 40 growth rings per inch, it is probably from a tree in the 1000 year old range.

I salvage many tools and another things from this house and almost didn't have a chance to save the chest. One hour before the excavator began clearing up the basement walls and all of the other junk,  I went looking and decided to keep the chest.

It became a Christmas gift.

I stripped off all of the filthy fabric.

It's drying out nicely. No cupping or cracking so far.

It will be sanded and given an oil finish.