A pie safe is a traditional piece of furniture that was popular in the 18th and 19th century. They were integral fixtures in American kitchens before the advent of refrigeration. 

Typically they were rectangular in shape, built of wood, with wire or punched tin screens in place of wooden door panels. The ventilation helped keep the pies cool and the screens or punched tin designs helped keep out dust and insects. But they wouldn’t keep out the hungry prying fingers of kids or husbands seeking a sweet treat. 

Although the exact origins are debatable, many believe that the first pie safes were brought to America by German immigrants in the 18th century, many of whom settled in Pennsylvania. 

Antique and vintage tin door pie safes are the most common, although in some later versions, copper was also used. The tin door types can be valued for their artistic merits, with punched decorations of floral bouquets, stars, and various patriotic motifs. For that reason, those are more valuable than the undecorated screen door safes or the entirely wooden kind.

The arrival of the ice box gradually made pie safes less essential for perishable food storage, although they do remain popular for storing canned good, clothing, linens and other household commodities

If you’d like help with your pie safe, or any other kind of antique or vintage furniture, it’s a safe bet we’ll be able to help you with it. Just click on the link below and let’s get started.

www.siscoantiquesappraisals.com

Even an early pie safe such as this one, with undecorated door panels, and in well-used condition, can have resale value of several hundred dollars.