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Apie safe, also called apie chest,[1]pie cupboard,kitchen safe, andmeat safe,[2] is a piece of furniture designed to store pies and other food items. This was a normal household item beforeiceboxes came into regular use, and it was an important part of the American household starting in the 1700s and continuing through the 1800s.[3]
The pie safe was used to store not only pies, but bread, meat, and other perishables as well, to protect them from insects and vermin.[3]
The origin of the pie safe can be traced back to the early 1700s in America. It was likely introduced by German immigrants to the country, who typically settled in the Pennsylvania area. These people later become known as thePennsylvania Dutch. The pie safe was introduced to protect perishables and other ingredients from vermin and pests. Their popularity meant that most American homes during this period possessed a pie safe, or similar regional variation.[4]
A common pie safe is made of wood, is around the same size as a large bureau, and is approximately 18 inches (46 cm) deep. The shelves within the storage area are often perforated. The safe normally has two hinged doors on the front. These doors, and usually the sides,[2] are ordinarily ventilated either withtin plates with punched holes, or screens. The holes in the tin are often punched to produce an image such as a simple shape, or something more intricate like a church scene, eagles, and stars, or even aMasonic emblem.[3] A notable design is theWythe County pie safe, which has a distinctive tulip pattern.
Pie safes that are freestanding are ordinarily made with long legs to keep them away from the floor. Some are wall-mounted or suspended from the ceiling.[3] Most have a drawer, usually above the pie storage area, but sometimes below.[2]
A notable pie safe maker was the American industrialist and founder ofPPG Industries (then known as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company),Captain John Baptiste Ford, who made tin pie safes and sold them throughout the United States.
InCajun orCreoleLouisiana, a pie safe is referred to as agarde-manger or agarde de manger. Pie safes from this region had doors with punched tin panels known in the region as tôles de panneaux, or were inlaid withbaluster, closely spaced. These items of furniture were considered utilitarian, as opposed to decorative, and were often coloured dull red, referred to asgros rouge.[5]
ManySan Francisco homes built during theVictorian andEdwardian era (1890-1930) had built-in pie safes, known locally as "California coolers". These took the form of small pantries, typically off the home's kitchen, that were vented to the outside to keep contents at a stable temperature due to the city's generally cool weather.[6]
The origin of the name ofchess pie may have come from the term "pie chest", another name for a pie safe.[7]
Pie safes are considered to be collectable antiques and are commonly reproduced. They are popular pieces in theshabby chic interior design style.[8]
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