Also, I believe that the people who made coffins also made trunks and sometimes cradles. (At HCH we have a 1749 leather covered cradle with extensive brass tack decoration and handles) I am not an expert on mourning/death/burial subjects, but somewhere that is ringing a bell. Another option might be to look into some of those types of objects in your region. There is also a museum of funeral customs in Illinois which you might contact for more information.
--
Erin Elizabeth Crissman
Curator
Historic Cherry Hill
523 1/2 South Pearl St.
Albany, NY 12202
p.518.434.4791
f.518.434.4806
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