Pie Safes
No kitchen would be complete without a pie safe.
In the 19th century, pie safes were cabinets that had air holes in the doors and/or sides so that pies
and pastries could be stored safely away from flying insects (before the age of refrigerators and freezers).
Almost all pie safes had locking doors. No doubt to keep hungry youngsters from tasting the pastry
treats beforehand. The bottom sections of pie safes were used to store baking pans, utensils, and anything
else that needed to be locked away, including coffees and teas.
The pie safe pictured below is called a "12 tin" pie safe. This term referred to the number of tin sheets
in the doors and sides that provided air flow. A very nice cabinet and functional piece of furniture.
I use it to hold and display crockery bowls and pieces from the 1800's.
