According to wisegeek.com: "A jelly cupboard is an enclosed shelving unit traditionally used to
store jams and jellies. Also known as a jam cupboard or jelly cabinet,
these freestanding units were customarily utilized to protect the
foodstuffs inside from mice and other pests. Though today they are
typically used more for decorative purposes than for food preservation,
these types of cupboards remain a common addition to many kitchens.
Constructed
of solid wood like walnut or cherry, a jelly cupboard sports a door, or
a set of doors, on the front of the unit. These doors are attached with
iron brackets. The doors themselves may be totally solid, but in many
cases, the doors contain a mesh window. Typical models contain two or
three shelves inside, and certain makes include a drawer at the top.
Jelly
cupboards have their historical roots in 19th-century America. Pioneers
found plentiful fruit wherever they went and sought a way to can and
preserve these finds for the long winter months. By the 1830s, jelly was
common in Midwestern American households. Fruit was stewed into jam in
large quantities, and appropriate storage facilities were needed. This
led to the creation of the first jelly cupboards."
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