Pie Safe
Object NamePie Safe
Date1890-1899
OriginUSA
MediumPine
Dimensions61 1/4 × 40 3/4 × 16 in. (155.6 × 103.5 × 40.6 cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LinePurchased by the Farm House Museum. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
Object number76.41.2
Status
Not on viewCollections
Label TextPie safes like this one would have been a common household kitchen furnishing pre the use of ice chests or ice boxes. Pie safes were designed to keep perishables such as breads, meats, flours and baked goods free of insects and rodents, keep them cool and free of mold. Pie safes were introduced to America in the 1800s by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and became commonly known as “Pennsylvania Dutch”.
The Farm House’s pie safe is typical in style, made of pine wood with doors that contained punched tin for ventilation, was elevated off of the floor and free standing. Oftentimes the tin on the doors is punched in decorative designs such as stars seen in this example, outdoor scenes, portraits, eagles, or sheafs of wheat. The top two drawers allow for additional storage.
Locations
- (not entered) Iowa State University, Farm House Museum
Object Name: Match Safe / Toothpick Holder
United States Glass Co.
1898
Object number: UM2009.75
