This is probably more of an Antique Thingie than a Vintage Thingie, but it's my most favorite Old Thingie I've got - my icebox:
The icebox was the common appliance for providing refrigeration in the home before safe refrigerants made mechanical refrigerators useful.
Commonly iceboxes were made of wood, most probably for ease of construction, insulation, and aesthetics. Many were handsome pieces of furniture. Mine is an oak cabinet icebox that would likely be found in well-to-do homes around the turn of the century.
Iceboxes had hollow walls that were lined with tin or zinc and packed with various insulating materials such as cork, sawdust, straw or seaweed. A large block of ice was held in a tray or compartment near the top of the box - the top left compartment on mine. Cold air circulated down and around storage compartments in the lower section. Some finer models had spigots for draining ice water from a catch pan or holding tank. In other models a drip pan was placed under the box and had to be emptied at least daily - this is probably the case with mine, altho I don't have the drip pan.
When Hubby's father passed away, this is one of the few things we got from his house. All hubby wanted was his daddy's pool stick. All I wanted was this icebox. I don't know its history, but I know I love it! And it makes a great conversation piece.
Funny thing is, hubby and I both call the refrigerator the "icebox" as well, so when we tell the kids to go put something in the icebox, they'll sometimes ask, "Which one?"
Silly kids.
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14 comments:
What a great piece of furniture. I can see why you coveted it so dearly. You might not know its original history, but you're sure making a history with it now.
I love this. What a great piece of family history in such a great piece of furniture. Wonderful.
It's gorgeous...I WANT IT lol!!! A priceless family heirloom...I'm green with envy!! xx
It's my favorite Old Thingie you've got too.
This is a great piece. I remember my Great-Gramma telling me stories about the icebox and creeks.
Thanks for sharing and the memories.
What a splendid icebox - it is gorgeous. Much much much nicer than Alice Kramden's on the Honeymooers!
Fabulous ice box. If I had one that looked as nice as yours I'd love it too.
Thanks for sharing.
My mom and dad have both told me about iceboxes. My dad always called our refrigerator an ice box. I had a table that was made to look like an old icebox. I loved it, but I gave it to my mom when I moved over here to CL 3 years ago. That is a gorgeous piece of furniture!
Oh! My parents have an icebox that was found on some land my grandfather purchased way back in the 50's. I think it's such a neat piece.
But I have to say I like yours better. Mom painted ours when I was a kid. It's now a horrendous shade of harvest gold... I'm sure I'll scrape all that paint off some day, but until then, I'll just admire yours...
Now that's cool. I wouldn't have know that's what it is, either. NOW when I see one, I will. It's really beautiful, too. Unlike my very grimy white box plastered with pizza coupons, handmade magnets and great school papers. Okay I like my icebox too, but I wish I could put it in the living room! xo
That really is a cool piece of furniture, no pun intended. My mom has one but hers is smaller.
I am seriously jealous. I have wanted an icebox like that for years. My mother had one that was narrower and taller. I'll have to ask her whatever happened to it. I still like yours better though, just don't tell her. ;)
I am seriously jealous. I have wanted an icebox like that for years. My mother had one that was narrower and taller. I'll have to ask her whatever happened to it. I still like yours better though, just don't tell her. ;)
That is a beautiful piece of furniture!! I love pieces like that that have a history, especially when it involves family history. How awesome!
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