Summary

Alternate Name(s): Food Safe

White painted wood meat safe. The upright rectangular meat safe is constructed from wood and wire mesh.

Meat safes or food safes are containers used principally to keep food safe (from flies and other pests), clean and cool. They have been used to store perishable foodstuffs for centuries, and are still made and used today. Whether homemade or manufactured, their construction is simple: it consists of a frame made of metal or wood, with wire mesh panels. Meat / food safes vary in size from portable cages that can be hung, to fixed items of kitchen or pantry furniture. They are usually placed in a well ventilated area to allow for air flow, ensuring the produce is kept cool.

The source of this example is unknown, but it is likely to have been made in the early 20th century.

Physical Description

An upright rectangular, white-painted, wood and wire mesh meat safe. Wooden frame construction with pelmet at top sides and front, upon four legs. FRONT: 2 doors, central drawer. DOORS: wire mesh panel attached to wooden frame. Butterfly hinges at right of both doors. HANDLES - Spring latch middle left top door. Butterfly latch, bottom right of lower door. DRAWER: hinged wire handle centre, with ornate back plate. BACK: 4 panels nailed to frame. SIDES: 2 sections, wire mesh panels attached to wooden frame. INTERIOR: top cupboard, two fixed shelves, evidence of white paint. Lower cupboard, 2 fixed shelves (1 loose), evidence of white paint. DRAWER INTERIOR: single compartment.

Significance

Meat Safes/ Food Safes are containers used principally to keep food safe (from flies and other pests), clean and cool. They have been used to store perishable foodstuffs for centuries, and are still made and used today. Whether homemade or manufactured, their construction is simple; it consists of a frame made of metal or wood, with wire mesh panels. Meat/ Food Safes vary in size from portable cages that can be hung, to fixed items of kitchen or pantry furniture. They are usually placed in a well ventilated area to allow for air flow, thus ensuring the produce is kept cool.

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