Edwardian china pantry

[paulb33]

I'm trying to understand the purpose of an Edwardian pantry.

A 6ftx10ft room adjacent to our kitchen is marked on the original (1901) plans as "Pantry" and described by the previous owners as the "china pantry". A door leading into the living area is in fact double (that is, two doors hung back to back and separated by a 2 inch gap when closed). This was apparently to stop noise from the pantry disturbing the house. One end of the pantry has a fire hearth, apparently served by the chimney and the other had a sink

What is the purpose of the pantry? Why provide a sink when there was a separate scullery also off the kitchen)? Would a fireplace be expected in such a small utility room?

Any tips would be appreciated!

Regards,
Paul

 

[Penners]

Like so many words in our polyglot language, pantry derives from a French word paneterie - a place for storing bread.

Thiswill explain it very fully and interestingly.

 

[Moo]

Fascinating!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Very interesting! Reminded me of the larder in my childhood home.

 

[Penners]

Presumably with marble slabs to help keep the food cool?

I can remember my mother storingdozens of eggs in a large galvanised bath of waterglass, under one of the larder shelves.

 

[paulb33]

Thanks for the links: very interesting. Any thoughts as to why there would be a firehearth in the pantry?
Regards,
Paul

 

[Penners]

For warmth?! :wink:

When you say a firehearth, do you mean an ordinary fireplace, or could there have been a bread oven there?

 

[Nemesis]

It depends on the type of pantry really - heating water, small scale cooking?