Wooden Pie Safe

Furniture

Wildwood Historic Center

Pie safe.

Name/Title

Wooden Pie Safe

Entry/Object ID

1986.060.025

Description

Wooden pie safe with a top drawer having 2 large wooden knobs. Pierced zinc design of star in circle on sides & front doors of three panels each. 2 shelves inside. Hook on inner side of left door.

Collection

Wildwood Historic Center [primary collection]

Acquisition

Accession

1986.060

Source or Donor

060 Mr. E. Glenn Noble, 060 Mrs. Lillian Noble

Acquisition Method

Gift

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Safe, Kitchen

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Cupboard, Food Storage

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Food Storage Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Food Processing & Preparation T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Dimensions

Height

60 in

Width

40 in

Depth

16 in

Dimension Notes

60" v, 40" w, 16" deep

Location

Wall

East Wall

Room

Kitchen

Floor

First Floor

Building

Wildwood House

Condition

Overall Condition

Very Good

Provenance

Notes

For a good part of the 19th century, a very important piece of furniture sat in the middle of many kitchens - the pie safe. Also known as a pie cabinet, pie cupboard, pie chest, or kitchen safe, the pie safe helped to keep pesky insects, rodents, and dirt away from freshly baked goods. Original pie safes were the size of large bureaus and were made from solid wood. Yellow pine was the most common wood choice. Soft pine was often used to make the shelves and drawers. Variations in size and shape contributed to its appeal. Most were freestanding cabinets with deep shelves. Pie safes with tin doors were the most common. Designs were created by the punched holes that also provided ventilation. Church scenes and simple shapes were the most popular. Price range on internet sites $500 to over $1000