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Victorian Era French Made Foot Warmer

fleafinder's loves1145 of 2468FRATELLI FANCIULACCI MODERNIST STUCCO JUG18th Century  .  .  .  Hand Forged Iron Padlock
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    Posted 7 years ago

    jscott0363
    (902 items)

    Hello collector friends!!!

    I recently bought an antique French made trunk, that I'm currently working on, and found this item inside the trunk. It was pretty dirty and tarnished, so I cleaned it up a bit. I had no worldly idea what this was or what it was once used for.

    Thanks to our CW friend bobby725, I now know this is a French made foot warmer. Based on searches, this foot warmer dates back to the late 1800's. It's constructed of brass, has a chain attached for carrying (or perhaps just for hanging) with brass screws in the top and bottom. It's about 10" long, 6" wide and about 2" thick. It does have a brass plug that unscrews to allow for filling with hot water and draining. Amazingly enough, I've filled it with hot water and not only does it work well, but doesn't leak either!

    This version was available in two styles. One had a tray that you'd put hot charcoal in and reinsert it into the container. This one is the hot water version. Once filled with hot water, this one gets pretty hot, as brass absorbs and retains heat quite well. So, I can't imagine how hot one of these would have been with hot charcoals inside. Pretty hot I'd say!

    Mystery solved!! A BIG thanks goes out to our CW friend bobby725 (Rob) for solving this mystery. Thank you Rob!!!!!

    Thanks for stopping and having a look!!!

    Scott

    Mystery Solved

    Comments

    1. racer4four racer4four, 7 years ago
      I'm interested to find out too.
      I love the design on it.
    2. Efesgirl Efesgirl, 7 years ago
      Made in the style of a handbag. Hmmm....wonder what those two screws are for, since the side seems to be welded onto the body. Have you shined a light inside, just for giggles? :-)))))
    3. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks everyone for the loves and for taking time to stop in

      Thomas

      Judy

      Karen (and for the comment)

      Kevin

      Elisabethan

      and

      Bonnie (for the comment as well)

      I do appreciate you all!!!!
    4. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Karen,
      I too love the design, but would love to know what this was used for.

      Bonnie,
      It does in fact resemble a handbag. I have shined a light inside, it's simply tarnished inside. It held a liquid of some sort at one time or another (liquor, water, fuel?) just not sure what type. Just wish I knew.
    5. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Did you smell the inside? (Not saying taste, uh!)
      A mystery for me too :-D
    6. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Kyra,
      I did smell inside. But, it has no smell at all. It's still quite a mystery to me as well. Thanks for the comment, the love and for always stopping in. Very truly appreciated!!!
    7. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Will the top come off if you remove the screws ?
    8. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Reminds me of a Coleman fuel cell but much to decorated for that i think.
    9. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Try googling vintage cavog metal brass camp stove see what you think
    10. fleafinder fleafinder, 7 years ago
      Find the handle's position so strange! Shouldn't it be at the top instead of the side:)
    11. fleafinder fleafinder, 7 years ago
      Great idea bobby I didn't know there was such luxury in the past.May be a hot waterbottle for stomach cramps
    12. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Roy,
      It sure does resemble the vintage cavog metal brass camp stove. You may just have solved my mystery! Thanks dude!
    13. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Rob,
      You've solved the mystery!! See the link below. It's nearly identical, except it's fuel fired and not solid brass. Thank you Rob!!!! Many thanks indeed!
      https://www.etsy.com/listing/477930671/french-vintage-warmer-chauffrette-with?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=Foot%20Warmer&ref=sr_gallery_41
    14. fleafinder fleafinder, 7 years ago
      Uh sorry is bobby725 rob? Wow so it's really a foot warmer!
      Oh no Scott.....you gave this a sniff?
    15. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thank everyone for the loves and suggestions

      Roy (for all your help)

      fleafinder (for all the cool suggestions)

      and

      Rob (for solving the mystery)

      And thank you all for stopping in. Very much appreciated!!!
    16. fleafinder fleafinder, 7 years ago
      Very happy for you scott.Good man deserves a good find and a good mystery solved!
    17. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks fleafinder!!!!!!!
    18. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Footwarmer i could use that : ) great solve Rob
    19. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Roy,
      Foot warmers wouldn't be needed here this weekend. Doesn't seem like autumn at all. Temps in the 80's all weekend and the leaves are all still green. Yes, Rob did a great job at solving this one!!
    20. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Pops,
      Thanks very much for the appreciation and for stopping in. Always very truly appreciated!!!
    21. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      aura,
      Thanks so very much for the love and for stopping in to have a look. Always appreciated!!!
    22. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks very much for the loves

      bijoucaillouvintage

      and

      Phil

      And thank you both for stopping by. Very much appreciated!!!
    23. Rick55 Rick55, 7 years ago
      What a cool and unique piece Scott! When I saw the title I had to laugh because I thought to myself, here's another one of his collectibles that I've never heard of! LOL. Now it's a foot warmer! You're always coming up with these items that I never knew existed! And to find it left in the trunk... it was probably like finding a hidden treasure huh?
    24. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      lisa,
      Thanks so very much for the love and for stopping by. Always truly appreciated!!
    25. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Rick,
      Yep, a foot warmer! The lady I bought the trunk from evidently threw this in as a surprise gift when she sent it to me. Thanks to Rob for figuring out what it is. So, another cool and unique item to add to my collection. Thanks for the appreciation and for stopping by. Always appreciated!!!
    26. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the loves and appreciations

      kivatinitz

      and

      SEAN

      And thank you all for dropping in. Very much appreciated!!!
    27. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Radegunder,
      Thanks very much for the love and for stopping in. Much appreciated!!
    28. jscott0363 jscott0363, 5 years ago
      Anna
      JImam
      Tonya
      and
      Jenni
      Thank you all very much for the loves and for stopping by!!!!
    29. jscott0363 jscott0363, 5 years ago
      Thank you Watchsearcher for the love and for stopping in!!

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