Great Antique Spice Set 8 Wood Canisters Housed in Large Matching Bentwood Box
Description: Offered in this auction is a 19th century spice set. This set is comprised of a large round bentwood box that in turn contains 8 smaller round wooden canisters. The small boxes are stamped on the lid and on the side with the name of the spice they contained. Seven of the small canisters that are of the same size (~2 1/2" in diameter and ~2 3/4" high). They contain MACE, CLOVESGINGER, NUTMEGS, MUSTARD, ALLSPICE, and CINAMON. The eighth canister, which is in the center, is larger (~3 1/4" diameter and ~3" high), and is marked PEPPER. The large box holding the eight spice canisters is marked SPICES on the top of the lid and ion the side. The boxes are all made of bentwood and have a metal band on the bottom. They have overlapping side attached with glue and the lid itself has a metal band along the edge which allows the lid to close tightly. All boxes have lift-off lids. These sets were common in the 1860s-1870s and were mostly made in Newark New Jersey. Please see Nina Fletcher Little's Book "Neat and Tidy - Boxes and Their Contents, Uses in Early American Households" 2001 edition, page 155, for a set similar to this. This set is complete ad in great condition given it is over 150 years old. Please see the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Sometime in 1860s-1870s.
Origin: Was purchased at an estate sale in Southeast Pennsylvania.
Size: The large box measures ~9 1/2" in diameter and is 3 1/2" in height. Seven of the small canisters are of the same size (~2 1/2" in diameter and ~2 3/4" high) when closed. The eighth box marked pepper is larger and measures~3 1/4" diameter and ~3" high, when closed. The small boxes are all marked as to their content both on top and on the side. All the boxes have their original brown finish.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Condition: This set is in very good condition given its age. The boxes have no breaks, no repairs, and no losses. They are soiled and may have some partially loosened bands, but these are minimal. This is a great and complete antique spice set and a beautiful museum piece worthy of a spot in your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
