Ice Boxes Were The Modern Refrigeration
Until About 100 Years Ago

Ice boxes have been used in American homes since the 1830s. Most were made of oak, with pine, elm and ash also sometimes used. When the substitute woods were used, they were typically given a golden oak finish. A variety of materials was used to line the interior, including zinc, slate, porcelain, galvanized metal and wood.

Between the interior and exterior surfaces, an insulating material was inserted. For this purpose charcoal, cork, straw and mineral wool were all used. A drainage pipe carried water to a melting pan under the box or through a hole in the wall to the outside.

Initially, the ice was so precious that blankets were wrapped around the blocks in the ice box to help it last longer. This was successful in saving the ice; unfortunately, it also let the food spoil.

In the 1850s, it was recognized that air circulation was necessary for a proper refrigeration process to take place. ice was placed at the top of the box, allowing the warmer air to rise, flow around the ice and be cooled, and recirculate to the bottom of the box to cool the food.

The holding capacity for most boxes ranged from 50 pounds to 125 pounds. In the summer, it was necessary for the ice man to make his rounds on a daily basis, to service his customers. How long the ice would last depended a great deal on how frequently the doors to the ice box were opened.
During the peak manufacturing period, prior to the invention of electrical refrigeration in 1913, there were dozens of companies producing ice boxes for the American market. Prices ranged from just a few dollars up to 50 dollars for a deluxe model.

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Frankoma Pottery No Longer In Operation

Frankoma pottery has long been a favorite of many collectors of American-made pottery. It was in operation until March of this year, when it was closed by its bank. At that time, the employees all left the building.

The Frankoma Pottery had its beginnings in 1933 when John Frank began producing and selling his wares under the name Frank Potteries.

The company, originally based in Norman, Oklahoma, changed its name to Frankoma in 1934, a combination of “Frank” and “Oklahoma.”

The company moved in 1938 to Sepulpa, Oklahoma, where it continued to operate until its closing earlier this year.

At its peak of production, Frankoma employed about 140 people, producing a variety of art ware and table ware.

Most of the company’s assets were sold at an on-site auction in May. In addition to the fixtures and equipment, over a thousand pieces of pottery were offered for sale, grouped in large lots. The lots included both showroom merchandise and unglazed pieces from the factory floor. Auctioneer Robert Hawks reported that the top two types of pottery sold were Texas pottery and Route 66 pottery.

It was reported in an online article that the 1,800 original moulds and the Frankoma name were not included in the auction, but are for sale privately from the Robert Hawks Auction Co. Collectors may see “new” Frankoma showing up in the future.

A reference book, Frankoma and Other Oklahoma Potteries, by Phyllis and Tom Bess, published by Schiffer in 2000, illustrates the earlier work of the Frankoma Pottery and gives a detailed history of the company.

Donna Miller

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British Copy French In Furniture Style

A chiffonier was a piece of 19th-century British furniture. It took several forms.

One style was an enclosed, stepped cabinet with shelves above and doors below. It might also contain drawers in the middle, or a gallery around the top shelf.

Another style was a low, marble-topped version that would fit easily in halls or passages. This version often incorporated bookshelves at either end. Frequently, a mirror or major painting would be hung above it. In a library or dining room, it could serve as a small side table.

Many English chiffoniers had open-pleated silk door panels. These usually concealed shelves.

The original English design was an adaptation of the French chiffonniere, which was a form of chest of drawers with somewhat shallow drawers that were used to store cloth, sewing items and small items of apparel. It did not extend out far from the wall, but could be either tall or short.

The taller version was Americanized in the 1800s, to refer to a tall chest of drawers. Here the same spelling as the English chiffonier was used.

Today, one can easily see that the same word is being used to apply to a variety of pieces of furniture.

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