Belwood Oak Ice Box (Wooden Icechest)
Storage (Cabinet/Chest - Antique Ice Box) · Early 20th Century / Industrial / Mission Arts and Crafts · Belwood Ice Box Co., located in Ackerman, Mississippi, USA, clearly identified by the affixed brass trade mark tag.
Type
Storage (Cabinet/Chest - Antique Ice Box)
Style Period
Early 20th Century / Industrial / Mission Arts and Crafts
Material
Solid oak and oak veneer over secondary woods, with brass-plated or solid brass hardware, and zinc or galvanized metal interior lining.
Age Estimate
Circa 1900-1930, during the peak era of domestic ice box usage before electric refrigeration became widespread.
Dimensions
Estimated height of 40-48 inches, width of 24-30 inches, and depth of 18-22 inches, consistent with standard household ice boxes of the period.
Origin
United States, specifically manufactured in Ackerman, Mississippi.
Designer/Maker
Belwood Ice Box Co., located in Ackerman, Mississippi, USA, clearly identified by the affixed brass trade mark tag.
Value Estimate
General market retail value ranges from $300 to $800 depending on overall condition, completeness of interior hardware, and collector demand.
Description
A charming and authentic antique wooden ice box featuring rich oak construction, dual cabinet doors, and original brass-toned hardware. Stamped with the distinctive Belwood Ice Box Co. badge from Ackerman, Mississippi, this piece showcases classic early 20th-century American utilitarian craftsmanship.
Key Features
Prominent original brass Belwood Ice Box Co. maker's tag, paneled oak cabinet doors, heavy-duty operational brass latches, and decorative strap hinges.
Color & Finish
Medium golden-brown oak wood stain with a clear protective varnish finish, highlighting the natural wood grain and exhibiting light aged patina.
Construction Method
Factory-manufactured using traditional frame-and-panel joinery combined with early industrial mass-production techniques.
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Mortise and tenon joints on the frame and panel doors, with sturdy corner joinery indicative of durable early 20th-century cabinet making.
Wood Grain & Species
Quartersawn and flat-sawn white or red oak, displaying pronounced cathedral grain patterns and characteristic medullary rays on the panels.
Surface Treatment
Varnished wood surface with paneled cabinet doors, flush molding, and professional factory routing.
Upholstery Details
None applicable as this is a hard-surface wooden storage and cooling cabinet.
Hardware & Fittings
Heavy cast brass or brass-plated hardware featuring ornate strap hinges, operational latches/catches, and a prominent maker's trade mark tag.
Origin & Provenance
United States, specifically manufactured in Ackerman, Mississippi.
Condition Notes
Very Good vintage condition. The wooden exterior exhibits minor surface wear consistent with age, while the hardware remains intact and securely mounted.
Interesting Facts
Before home electric refrigerators became common in the 1930s, ice boxes required regular delivery blocks of ice to keep food cool, making companies like Belwood essential household suppliers.
Cultural Significance
Represents a transitional era in domestic technology and home management, bridging the gap between root cellars and modern kitchen refrigeration.
Similar Pieces
Late 19th to early 20th-century ice boxes made by manufacturers like Baldwin, Challenge, or White Mountain, distinguished primarily by their maker tags and hardware styles.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft, damp cloth and nourish the wood periodically with a quality paste wax or furniture polish. Avoid placing in direct sunlight or near excessive moisture.
Value Estimate
General market retail value ranges from $300 to $800 depending on overall condition, completeness of interior hardware, and collector demand.
Sustainability Notes
An inherently sustainable vintage piece constructed from durable solid hardwoods designed for longevity, preventing modern waste through adaptive reuse as a decorative storage cabinet or dry bar.