I think this Jelly Cupboard represents another well-designed, well-proportioned example of Early Pennsylvania country furniture. When I saw it, I was in an antique shop outside of York, PA, in the fall of 1987. The dealer was in the process of dry-stripping the many coats of paint to reveal the wonderful original blue painted surface.

        When a client asked me if I would build him an entertainment center, I chose the subject Jelly Cupboard as the original antique to reproduce.

        The cupboard features hand-beaded cove molding at the top, 2 hand-dovetailed drawers, each being 15" wide by 7 1/2" deep by 21 3/4" long (depth), mortised and tenoned pinned joinery. Each drawer front is hand-beaded, always a nice detail. The rat-tail hinges, also a pleasing detail, were not found on the original cupboard. My client asked that I use the hand-forged rat-tail hinges to add even more character to the early 19th century cupboard.

        The cupboard's interior design, i.e. shelf placement, can be redesigned to serve as a linen-towel cupboard, a small wardrobe with handy drawers for additional storage, even a "Jelly" Cupboard in the kitchen for additional storage; a number of various possibilities. In addition, it is a very versatile piece as it would be comfortable in almost any room in your Home. This cupboard is 66" tall by 38"4 wide and 21 1/2" deep. (Size can be varied somewhat without losing good proportion.)

        The interior of the cupboard shows chamfered door panels as seen on original cupboards. A fair number of country cupboards had painted interiors; the subject cupboard has a smooth green milk paint interior that I think goes very well with its 150-200 year old white pine exterior in a natural finish.

        The nicely hand-beaded drawer fronts can be seen better in this image. The hand-dovetailing can also be seen but you have to look closely due to lack of contrast between the two boards; front and side. The drawers are constructed exactly as the originals.