On a recent trip to Hancock Shaker Village in Massachusetts, we sat in on Steve Grasselli's workshop on the making of those oval Shaker storage boxes. The boxes are beautiful, yes, but they were once used in quite a utilitarian way: for food storage. The boxes are sized with such precision that the lid and box create a suction when closed...
Shaker boxes are genarally made of maple or cherry because the woods are stable and won't tend to expand/shrink. The oval shape is also determined by function: it is more dimensionally stable than, say, a round box. For more on handmade Shaker boxes made locally in Massachusetts, or to even take a class, check out Steve Grasselli. (Photo of Hancock Shaker Village by halmorgan via Flickr.)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
when they put the food in these boxes, did they keep them in cool places like root cellars to prevent mold from forming?
view little flower's profile
Are these made by the Amish craftsmen? If yes, I can be sure of their quality. Those people are brilliant at woodworking. I had purchased Amish furniture once and have become a convert ever since. The furniture is really so much stronger than the other stuff you get these days.
view rika's profile
And yes, Amish furniture does last for ever and ever. I'm sure my hutch is going to be used by my grandchildren too. Will surely try to get my hands on these shaker boxes too. I am not a big fan of storing food in plastic in any case.
view rika's profile
^ so, the Amish have websites now?
(haha)
view suziegoombs's profile
the shakers were not amish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers
view colin oh's profile
These are beautiful... but I'd be hesitant to store food in them. It seems like the wood might change the flavor of the food. Any thoughts?
view StudioStarter's profile
Studio Starter,
Wrap in parchment first. Or foil.
view 42rocky's profile
For more lovely Shaker boxes, see my post on Brent Rourke's boxes.
view Jeri Dansky's profile