very rare antique copper cone measure pourer, or ale
warmer
Item number: MET06082130
Price: $295
I am not sure what it was used for. Could be a number of things. Here
are some theories. [Someone contacted me to say it is an ale warmer.]
1. To pour chocolate into moulds. The reason I
believe this is that there is a small spout (see photo) and the design
of the jug is such as to allow you to pour (the chocolate) slowly with
much control...it doesn't suddenly ush out if it was a more
conventional shape....this is ebcause the volume inside changes litte
as you tilt the cone...the position of the handle also aids this.
Another reason I think it may have been used to handle something hot
like molten chocolate is that when you heat up copper it becomes soft,
and the copper in this jug is fairly 'soft', compared to unhaeted
copper.
2. It may have been used to measue something like
grain or rice from a grocer. The fact taht the handle is at the top
enables you to 'scoop' into a bag of grain...the conical shape also
enables you to fill it in one big scoop...plus the customer thinks
he/she is getting lots as the volume of a cone is 1/3 that of a
cylinder of the same size.
3. I have found a similar pouring jug in the
Cater's antiques guide but here it says it is an ale measure...see
photo. This is possible because if you were to fill the container with
ale by immersing it into a barrel of ale the excess would run along the
cone back into the barrel, dripping from the pointed end quickly.
In any case it is a very interesting and unusual
copper item that clearly served some refined purpose, hence its unusual
design. It is concievable it may also have been used for a number of
different purposes. If you have some other ideas about what it was used
for I would appreciate you telling me.
The conical jug/pourer is about 29 cms tall, with a
diameter of 14.5 cms at the top.
It is in excellent aged condition and displays
considerable patina and age...quite beautiful to look at in fact. Would
make a lovely piece to any metalware collection.
I actually have 3 of these if you would like more
than one.
|
