Ice Chest
Production date
1820
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Object detail
Description
American oak, pine backboards, ornate handle and hinges in brass, shelves in bottom missing. Sits upon four castors.
Classification
DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT Food Storage & Preservation ice chest
Production date
1820
Measurements
H1020 x L600 x W460 mm
Media/Materials description
Oak (Woods) Pine (Woods) Brass (Metals - Non-Ferrous)
Signature/Marks
<On name plate> WHITE MOUNTAIN \ REG'D. US.PAT.OFF
History and use
An ice chest was the common appliance for providing refrigeration in the home from the early 19th century, before mechanical refrigerators became available in the mid-20th century. As in this example, ice chests were commonly made from wood for ease of construction, insulation and aesthetics. The walls of the ice chest are lined with tin or zinc and are packed with insulating material. A large block of ice was placed in the compartment in the top of the box. Cold air circulated down and around the storage compartments in the lower section. A drip pan at the bottom caught the water from the melted ice and had to be emptied regularly. Up until the mid-20th century an ice man would deliver blocks of ice to houses for use in ice chests.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Registration number
H24723
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