Pantry boxes have been used since the Colonial days in the USA. Pantry boxes were designed to store many different household items and make both collectible and practical items.
Shaker bentwood pantry box, 19th c., having lapped finger joint on the lid, iron tack construction, minor age related loss, several small nails added, 4″h, 9.5″l, 7.25″w, 1lb, Sold for $125 at Austin Auction Gallery
Antique Green Painted Bentwood Pantry Box. 5-1/2″h. x 10-1/2″ diam. Sold for $180
An Oval Ivory Scrimshaw and Fruitwood Marquetry Pantry Box, American
19th century
the box profusely engraved with vignettes and domestic scenes; the lid inlaid with fruitwoods in geometric designs and the name LIZZIE in mother-of-pearl. Length 9 in.
22.8 cm. Sold for 21,600 USD at Sothebys
Brass box, cylindrical, the fitted cover with canted rim, damascened in silver depicting the heavens, with the sun, six planets and the signs of the zodiac. The sides illustrate life below with falconers hunting on horseback and knights slaying mythical beasts. The inscription between them, on the side of the lid, names the Ayyubid prince al-Malik al-Adil II. Cover inscribed with the name and titles of El-Adil Abu Bekr II, Sultan of Egypt (1238-40), and decoration with the sun surrounded by the Six planets and the Signs of the Zodiac.
On the bottom, “Made for the royal pantry of El-Adil”.
EGYPTIAN; 1238 – 40 [Used until 11/2003]
Brass Casket
Egypt or Syria
1238-40. Victoria and Albert Museum
19th Century Bentwood Pantry Box with Masonic Symbol. Painted on lid and initialed “JAD”. Feather lap and tack construction with wire bail handle having a wood grip. 6-1/4″h. x 11-1/2″diam. Condition: Good with minor wear and losses. Sold For: $140 at Conestoga Auction Company Division of Hess Auction Group
Large shaker pantry or cheese box, blue painted with three fingers and copper points and nails, old red interior.
ht. 6in., lg. 17 3/4in.
Group of five Shaker pantry boxes including a green painted oval box with two fingers, two small oval boxes, a round box with two fingers, and an oval painted four finger box (as is).
ht. 1 1/2in., lg. 10in. to ht. 3 1/2in., lg. 10in. Sold For: $150 at
Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
19th Century Shaker Bentwood Pantry Box. Painted mountainscape scene on lid, tan ground with brown bands. Lapped finger joints supported by iron tacks. 3-1/2″h. x 10-1/4″w. x 6-3/4″d. Sold For: $160 at Conestoga Auction Company Division of Hess Auction Group