Bread Boards
Nothing tells us more about our domestic history than the development of kitchenalia (items used for storage and preparation of food). Collecting these items can be enjoyed at very little cost with many items costing under £10.
Most importantly for the novice collector, items are not difficult to find. Early kitchenalia was made to last a woman a lifetime, so it’s very durable and because it is often handmade, it can be very decorative.
Cooking tools have been around for aeons, but the collectables you see today, mostly date from the 1800’s to the 1940’s, although there is increasing demand for later items.
For the majority of the population at the beginning of the 19th century, an open fire was used for cooking (as well as heating and lighting). In fact, even in the middle of the century, the second most common cause of death was “hearth death”. Cooking wasn’t just a household chore, it was also dangerous! Therefore, utensils had to be as sturdy as their users - solid iron pots were used for cooking, while woodenware was used for preparation. Much of this woodenware was carved, with sheaves of corn and floral designs being favourite motifs. Today a humble breadboard will be worth £10 depending on its age and condition.
Different foodstuffs were stored in different types of hardy jars. Stoneware and earthenware were used for items like pickled foods and vinegars: salt glazed earthenware stored jams, jellies and salted foods, whilst bread was kept in large crocks. Tin jars were used for tea, biscuits and other dry food. An unusual tin sugar container from the late 19th century would be worth £15 - £20.
More expensive copperware appeared in the better kitchens or more wealthier houses and decorative wooden butter stamps were de rigeur! (An early 19th century butter stamp could be worth £100). Entirely homemade food meant that moulds and stamps were essential for maintaining the highest dining standards!
In 1861 the now legendary Mrs Isabella Beeton published her first work – Beeton’s Book of Household Management. A house keeping bible, it featured tips on everything from household accounts to recipes. Even Mrs Beeton wouldn’t have believed 150 years ago, that humble breadboards would become collectables!
