Cupboard, ca. 1850

The Reverend Gerkin of Clayton in Adams County, Illinois, had this cupboard made for storage of everyday dishes and serving pieces for the table--wood, pewter, glass, and earthenware. Cupboards like this one, often made in two parts with one stacked upon the other, evolved from a single shelf built to hold cups and other dishes and called the "cupboard." Sometimes the upper part of a cupboard was open or had glass doors so that pieces could be seen.

Probably made in Adams County, IL
Walnut
Gift of the Condell Fund (1989.39)

Furniture | Wood

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96