VINTAGE FRENCH CHEESE LARDER

Is is a bird cage? No, It's a Cheese Cage!

For Sale on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk/showroom


Before

After

I found this sorry looking item in a barn, and my partner laughed at me when I said it had beautiful potential.  He said "What do you want that old cage for? To keep Birds in?".  "No!" I told him, "I think the French used to use these things to put cheese and cured meats in, it could be very useful in the kitchen!"


I didn't want to brag but I was right, Its is known as a 'cheese larder' or a 'meat pantry'.  After talking to a local elderly Frenchman, and researching on the internet I discovered, it was probably made  around the mid 1900's, before electric fridges where in wide use in the French country home, for storing foods without little beasties getting to it before you did.


Now a days they are still very popular here in France, as it is often deemed sacrilege to keep your cheese and cured meats in the fridge where it cannot breath and mature, and have the cold temperature ruins the flavour.  It is  a superb original piece of kitchen history, and could have so many uses, not just in the kitchen. 
I have since lovingly restored it.  The wooden feet had rotten away, so a little doctoring had to be done there.  I then had to put my school level woodwork skills to the test and create a frame for the mesh as the edges had frayed and there were a few sharp edges sticking up.  I have to say I slightly impressed my self, and my partner with the neat corners I managed.



Then came the fun part, I chose a vintage pale blue paint, to give it a beautiful shabby chic feel.  The mesh and hinges had suffered rust which discoloured the paint, and with a few small holes where the mesh has worn away, I think just gives it lovely antique charm.

To give this piece the finishing touches I lined the shelves with some vintage craft paper with an added bit of colour to match the decorative ribbon and lavender heart I had made especially.

Et Voila!  A lovely decorative but practical piece that I hope will look lovely in somebodies home.


Find more of my restored antiques on www.lepetitbijou.co.uk