A dole or livery cupboard was used either to store food in the private areas of a medieval or early Tudor house for the use of the family, or was used to distribute left over food to the poor, usually in a church or in a great house.
It's related to an aumbry, which was also used for food storage. Both pieces of furniture have piercings or spindles so that air can circulate. In fact dole cupboard, aumbry, almery cupboard and livery are often used interchangeable. Some sit on the floor, and others hang on the wall.
It's very rough because I really bodged it together, mostly out of balsa wood, which guarantees that a piece is going to be extra rustic :) But the door actually opens and closes and I like the effect when it's hung in the bedchamber.
There's one of the beautiful cushions Flora gave me!
This blog chronicles the adventures of a group of Canadians building a 1:12 scale medieval or Tudor dolls' house or dolls' castle. We're also working on a William and Mary era dollhouse circa 1700, featuring Jacobean, Carolean and Queen Anne furniture. Dollhouse aficionados, those who enjoy making or sharing doll house miniatures, and people who enjoy sharing crafts with children may enjoy the adventures of this group.
I built the background image of this site using some of the fabulous work from Vintage Retro Grunge. The "Green Man" reproduction medieval tile on the bottom right is by Kate Tiler. The other two, the griffon and the happy little creature (possibly a lion with a bagel?), are both by Pataki Tiles.