Would help to see inside, bottom, and back along with dimensions.

One thing that caught my eye is that what appears to be where a key would go is not drilled for a key as you can see a cream dot with appears to be similar to the rest of the paint.

I would guess it's a wedding chest....very likely could be from 1788....I think that first figure is a stylized "1".....and the initials B M are either the initials of the bride or of the bride and groom.

I can't tell yo country of origin....but the design is not typical of Sweden nor Norway.....could also be German.