Storage Cannister

PeriodCirca 1870 - 1880

Place MadeNew York, U.S.A.

MediumPine, oak, zinc, printed paper

Dimensions10.5 × 9 in. (26.7 × 22.9 cm)

ClassificationsAdvertising, Business & Ornamental Artifacts

Credit LineGift of Josephine Mabel Brown, 1966

Object number2023.508

DescriptionA cylindrical storage container of pine, fitted with wide top and bottom rim held with zinc bands. The lid is of turned pine with inset knob. Bold multicolored chromolithograph label pasted around entire body in orange, yellow, and black reading "GILLIES' / BEST / CLOVES / 233, 235 & 237 WASHINGTON ST> N.Y." Upper band stamped "Patent Applied For." Interior of cannister still smells of cloves.
Curatorial RemarksThis wooden container, with its bold orange, black, and yellow label, was not produced for home storage. Rather, the container was created to serve as advertising in one of the many grocery stores which carried Gillies products. When the lid is removed, the faint scent of cloves can still be detected. The Gillies firm still operates today and is based in Brooklyn.NotesWright Gillies was born in 1820 on a farm near Newburgh, New York. The son of Scottish immigrants, Wright took a job as a clerk in a New York City tea shop. In 1840, he started his own business, dealing at first in both tea and coffee but quickly focusing on coffee and spices. Gillies was innovative, and held several patents for coffee processes and production incuding double-roasting. He maintained his business for many years at 233, 235, and 237 Washington Street in New York City. Gillies married twice, first to Mary Ann (1817-1855), then to Ann Leslie Bent (1835-1922). He had eight children. Gillies died in 1902 at the age of 82.

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