In the eighteenth century, in Chester County Pennsylvania, a small body of work developed which I have a particular fondness for.  Spice Chests from this time period and area hold a particular appeal to me for their style, delicate details, and secret treasures.

Small cabinets, measuring just over a foor in height, they highlight the skills of the cabinetmakers who built them, employing fine joinery, elegant inlay, equisite details, and loving craftsmenship.

There has been a great deal of study done on these rather unique pieces, a significant anount of it focusing on the frequently employed “line and berry inlay”, a style I find particularly attractive and which I continue to use on more contemporary pieces,  An example of my use of the line and berry motif is on the family boxes which I built for my sisters. and which can be seen elsewhere on this website.

I’ll be updating this post with some reference materials relating to the Pennsylvania Spice Chests and you can follow along as I build one by checking out the gallery of progress phots by clicking here.