Discover Mid-America – May 2011
Old pantry boxes still useful
In the 19th century, there was a pantry box made to fit every kitchen storage need. There were even tiny boxes for pills that ranged in size from two to three inches. Proof of how well they were made are how many can be found in shops and auctions. Collectors are willing to pay several hundred dollars, especially when they were made by the Shaker communities.
Stack of Shaker pantry boxes.(photo courtesy of Garth’s Auctions, Delaware, OH)Much of their appeal is in the number of painted colors that have survived. Red, blue, yellow and green were among the colors used. The paints were made from mixing clay found in soil with berries, bark and the indigo plant.
The boxes were made to be stacked and nested one inside the other. The largest box, placed on the bottom, was usually for herbs. Spice boxes, slightly larger than pill boxes, held seven of the most common, such as ginger, pepper and nutmeg. The stacking order usually placed pill boxes on top, then meats, butter, cheese and herbs. Some of the herb boxes were 20” in length, to hold the herbs that had been dried in bunches.
Woods that were used depended on whatever was common to the region such as chestnut, fruitwood and ash. If they weren’t made by the man of the house they were made by the local “cooper.”
When you see how thin the wood is that was used in the construction of these boxes, considering the primitive tools used at that time, it seems amazing. First a strip of wood was thinned and a pointed lap made. Next it was soaked or steamed to make it pliable. After several other steps the laps were made. In today’s market, the more decorative the laps, the more pricey the piece. Other times a cooper used molds to shape the boxes.
CLUES: Some collectors specialize in Shaker bentwood boxes. Since they can cost more than ordinary pantry boxes, it’s a good idea to learn their characteristics. For example, they called the laps “fingers.” The number of fingers depended on the size of the box.
The boxes were oval in shape and copper nails or tacks were fastened the laps, tops and bottoms. They were made 12 to a nest. As with other Shaker items, they are still being made today.
Would you recognize a cheese box if you saw one or a butter box? While both are round, cheese boxes were pegged with wooden pegs and made of ash or oak. The cheese was wrapped in gauze.
The butter box was staved and hooped since the butter was moist and the staves had to give. White pine that had no scent was used for staves, tops and bottoms.
Early boxes can be recognized by the use of handmade nails that were cut, pounded out and shaped by a blacksmith on an anvil. Later boxes used machine-made nails.
Old spice boxes retain their scents. Newly made boxes will smell like new wood.
Before spending too much, do your research, and if possible examine authentic oldies.