Chats on Old Copper and Brass

by Fred. W. Burgess

It is probable no domestic utensil or appliance has gained greater notoriety than the copper and brass warming-pan, which so long held an honoured place in the chimney corner. It was used nightly in winter for warming beds in the often large and chilly rooms, both in the homes of the wealthy and of the middle classes. One of these pans is represented in Fig. 23 on the wall of the seventeenth-century room already mentioned as being on view in the London Museum. Another very handsome warming-pan, which is in the Victoria and Albert Museum, is very exceptional in style. Many of the earlier examples are dated, and sometimes engraved or embossed with pious or loyal sentiments, as was the custom of the times. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum at Exeter contains several interesting warming-pans; one, which is dated on the lid 1622, is engraved: "I.R. GOD SAVE KING JAMES"; another, with an iron handle, is of still earlier date, being stamped 1616 on the lid.

Brass foot-warmers were at one time in regular use; a very fine example, shown in Fig. 40, is of octagonal shape, covered with repoussé decoration, and fitted with a folding bail handle, facilitating its removal from place to place. There have been many copper foot-warmers, carriage warmers, and the like used in days before modern heating arrangements were known. Some years ago little copper muff-warmers were sold in the shops; but they were of no great novelty, for as far back as the seventeenth century what were known as warming boxes were made for keeping the hands warm on journeys when travelling by the very cold and draughty stage coaches. These curious little boxes of brass or copper were heated with a removable mass of iron, which could be lifted out of the box, which hinged in the centre, by means of an iron hook; just in the same way the old box irons were operated. In Figs. 41 and 42 one of these early boxes, which may be seen in the Guildhall Museum, is illustrated. Thus in olden time the comfort of travellers was attained. The old inns were welcome retreats after a stormy journey by road, and the older inns of the coaching days often contain many interesting relics of the days when the copper and brass objects we now call curious and old were new. Those objects referred to in the previous paragraphs by no means exhaust the list of houseplace curios in metal, but they may serve to point out the great interest which attaches to even common objects of everyday use when a few years have passed by and changes have been brought about in everyday usages.

FIG. 40.—BRASS FOOT-WARMER WITH BAIL HANDLE.
(In the Victoria and Albert Museum.)

FIGS. 41 AND 42.—EARLY BRASS OR BRONZE HAND-WARMER, SHOWN OPEN AND CLOSED.
(In the Guildhall Museum.)

Chimney and other Ornaments.

As it has been intimated already, the fireplace was a centre of attraction in all old houses. It was customary on a winter's night to draw up close to the fire, and in so doing it was only natural that the chimney piece and those objects which rested thereon would be constantly looked at. This probably gave makers the cue when designing ornamental brasswork which could be used as household decoration. The ornaments of those days were substantial, and the chimney ornaments solid and lasting. It was a common thing to see a row of brass figures or pairs of brass ornaments on the chimney-piece. Such designs as those shown in Figs. 43 and 44 were popular. Our illustrations represent one only of each fashion; the pairs, however, were usually designed opposite hands, looking to right and left. Such ornaments were seen on the kitchen mantelpieces of the well-to-do and on the hob-grates of the houseplaces of the middle classes. This was the prevailing custom from fifty to seventy years ago, and still earlier similar ornaments, cruder in design, evidently modelled after the style of the Bow pottery figures, were in use. In Lancashire and in the manufacturing districts of the Black Country brass ornaments of similar and more modern types have always been favoured, and they are still sold as ornaments to well-to-do artisans and mechanics. The modern castings are rougher and not so decorative or beautifully designed as the tooled castings of earlier days. The peacock was a favourite bird and shared with the pheasant popularity. These designs are easily recognizable among the genuine antiques. There were larger animals, too, such as the horse, an example of which is given in Fig. 45. This favourite beast of burden was oftentimes represented as a dray horse; in more sporting circles as a hack or a hunter. In agricultural districts the wagoner, the huntsman, and dogs and hounds were chiefly favoured. They were generally set on a base or plinth, an exceptionally good country brass of the earlier type representing a shepherd with his typical crook. Little statuettes represented politicians and historical and even allegorical figures. Among the portrait brasses Napoleon was a favourite subject in the days when his name was familiar in every household. Izaac Walton, the exponent of the gentle art, was often modelled in brass, and even Robinson Crusoe and his man Friday formed the subject of a rare group. The Continents of America, Africa, and Asia are rare and interesting allegorical groups. Other brasses show traces of Chippendale influence, especially those in miniature which represent familiar household objects, among which are wonderful little models of circular tables and of the oval loo tables, like those then seen in the best parlour. There are also miniature brass trivets and stools and models of grandfather chairs.