#PSBCOM - Pennsylvania Spice Box Commission

I craft Pennsylvania Spice box reproductions by request. Each spice box can take me more than a month to complete, but I promise it will be worth the wait. These are stunning pieces that will enhance the décor of the most prestigious homes. It’s sure to be a show stopper and conversation piece. While authentic Pennsylvania Spice Boxes sell at auction for as much as $50,000, I offer my reproductions at $2,500 – $5,000 depending on the style. To make your request, go to the REQUESTING CUSTOM WORK page and follow the instruction there.

Below is a little background on the history and construction of Pennsylvania spice boxes.

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Pennsylvania Spice Boxes were made popular by the Quakers in the Delaware Valley area in the late 17th, and for most of the 18th centuries. The original purpose was to store, and keep safe expensive spices, and silver items. Later, spice boxes became a symbol of one’s prosperity, and were displayed in the public areas and parlors of homes of the well-to-do. Spice box construction is characterized by a case with banks of small drawers. The case is fitted with a door that can be decorative or not. Doors were often decorated with an inlaid Line & Berry design, which was influenced by the German artisans of the time.

I craft Pennsylvania Spice Box reproductions using traditional materials, and designs. Each box is individually hand crafted using the finest figured hardwoods. While Black Walnut was the most popular wood for construction, Black Cherry, Maple, and Mahogany was also used. The case top and bottom are connected to the sides with dovetail joints. The drawers that line the case also use dovetail construction. As is tradition, one or two hidden drawers are also built in. The drawer fronts are usually decorated with highly figured woods, either solid, or as a veneer.

Non-inlaid doors are crafted using figured woods, oftentimes using raised panel construction. With an inlaid door, less figured wood is used, and flat panel construction is employed so as to not compete with the inlaid design. The inlay material can be made from a variety of contrasting woods, including Maple, Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany, Holly, Cedar, as well as others. . The door is attached to the case with traditional H style hinges, and is also equipped with a traditional keyed lock with a decorative escutcheon plate.