Hot Water Urn
1800-1820 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
Urns to contain hot water for making tea and coffee were used in Britain from about 1770 until well into the 19th century. The hot water was drawn off by using the tap at the front of the urn. The interior is fitted with a tube, within which is a heated cast-iron ingot. This kept the water hot.
Ownership & Use
Hot water urns stood on a side-board or dresser. They were made in a variety of materials, including silver, Sheffield plate, brass and copper. Copper urns were the most popular, the surface either deliberately patinated to a dark colour or, as with this example, polished bright and then lacquered.
Design & Designing
These urns were intended to form part of the furnishings of a dining room, and therefore were well-designed, imposing vessels. This urn supported by reeded columns is in the fashionable style of the 1820s, when Neo-classicism was still very popular.
Urns to contain hot water for making tea and coffee were used in Britain from about 1770 until well into the 19th century. The hot water was drawn off by using the tap at the front of the urn. The interior is fitted with a tube, within which is a heated cast-iron ingot. This kept the water hot.
Ownership & Use
Hot water urns stood on a side-board or dresser. They were made in a variety of materials, including silver, Sheffield plate, brass and copper. Copper urns were the most popular, the surface either deliberately patinated to a dark colour or, as with this example, polished bright and then lacquered.
Design & Designing
These urns were intended to form part of the furnishings of a dining room, and therefore were well-designed, imposing vessels. This urn supported by reeded columns is in the fashionable style of the 1820s, when Neo-classicism was still very popular.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 3 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Copper-rich alloy, patinated, with brass tap; the handle missing |
| Dimensions | Dimensions checked: Measured; 01/02/2001 by AS |
| Marks and inscriptions | The tap stamped 'P' and 'S' and on the inner sleeve 'cc' |
| Gallery label | British Galleries:
This urn was designed for a prominent position on the tea table. The spherical body is constructed of two sections and was manufactured from metal sheet by the spinning process. To keep the water hot a red-hot iron bar was placed in a sleeve inside the urn to heat the water.(27/03/2003) |
| Credit line | Given by Mrs Curtis |
| Object history | Probably made in Birmingham |
| Summary | Object Type Urns to contain hot water for making tea and coffee were used in Britain from about 1770 until well into the 19th century. The hot water was drawn off by using the tap at the front of the urn. The interior is fitted with a tube, within which is a heated cast-iron ingot. This kept the water hot. Ownership & Use Hot water urns stood on a side-board or dresser. They were made in a variety of materials, including silver, Sheffield plate, brass and copper. Copper urns were the most popular, the surface either deliberately patinated to a dark colour or, as with this example, polished bright and then lacquered. Design & Designing These urns were intended to form part of the furnishings of a dining room, and therefore were well-designed, imposing vessels. This urn supported by reeded columns is in the fashionable style of the 1820s, when Neo-classicism was still very popular. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.383-1924 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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