For sale is a late 1800s/early 1900s DeMuth Dough Kneader Biscuit Machine Side Table with ornate cast iron legs. This table has an amazing maker’s mark where the cross bars meet that reads: “THE DEMUTH IMPROVED DOUGH KNEADER & BEATEN BISCUIT MACHINE by J.A. DEMUTH, ST JOSEPH, Mo.”. The oak table top is original to the table and has been refinished. This table would have had a large rolling pin mounted to the table that ran the full width of the table. The dimensions of the table are 36 inches long, 17 inches deep, and 30 inches tall. A center solid cherry box has been added underneath the table for additional storage. Each side of the box is capped with an original tin and glass biscuit tin lid.
By the 1880’s, dough kneaders varied considerably in size and design from gargantuan machines in commercial bakeries, to hand-cranked dish-pan size models for home use. J. A. Demuth claimed that his machine produced beaten biscuits with a fraction of the labor. “Beaten Biscuit such as “Aunt Chloe” used to make in the old Southern plantation kitchen are easily and quickly made by using Demuth’s Dough kneader and beaten biscuit machine made for family use. Agents wanted.” J. A. Demuth, St. Joseph, Mo. — Progress. Aug. 1908.
Biscuit tin lids were used as a general store point of sale display. The tin tops were designed to fit over the top of the biscuit company’s cardboard shipping containers. When the store received its shipment, the grocer opened the top of the box and popped on the display lid. Customers would then take out individual snacks and pay at the register. These two biscuit lids were made by the National Biscuit Co. – Colonial Supreme Bakers. I believe the lids date to the 1920s.
This is a one-of-a-kind creation. The “biscuit tunnel”, “biscuit hole”, or “center shelf” is an unusual storage compartment which is accessible from either side. This compartment and the size of this antique table makes it the perfect kitchen island. This item is easily transportable in any mid-size car.
