Not currently on display at the V&A

Hand Warmer

late 17th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This brass container acted as a hand-held hand warmer. Inside is a small brass cup designed to hold a small quantity of smouldering charcoal. The cup was suspended within a set of gimbals which kept the cup level and prevented the burning charcoal from touching the surface of the container. Hand warmers were particularly useful during long church services.

Brass and copper items were sometimes coated with a thin layer of silver. This provided a cheaper alternative with the appearance of sterling silver. However, frequent polishing often wore away the layer of silver to reveal the base metal underneath, as with this piece.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brass, originally silvered
Brief description
Brass spherical hand warmer engraved with birds, monsters, a fleur-de-lys and a shield, French, late 17th century
Physical description
Spherical and pierced, engraved with birds, monsters, a fleur-de-lys and a shield, within triangular compartments.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 3.375in
Subjects depicted
Summary
This brass container acted as a hand-held hand warmer. Inside is a small brass cup designed to hold a small quantity of smouldering charcoal. The cup was suspended within a set of gimbals which kept the cup level and prevented the burning charcoal from touching the surface of the container. Hand warmers were particularly useful during long church services.

Brass and copper items were sometimes coated with a thin layer of silver. This provided a cheaper alternative with the appearance of sterling silver. However, frequent polishing often wore away the layer of silver to reveal the base metal underneath, as with this piece.
Collection
Accession number
525-1893

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Record createdFebruary 11, 2004
Record URL
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