The brass top pierced with a flowerhead and with a projecting rear
turned oak handle,
its front corners with hooked terminals, raised
on three brass cabriole supports
terminating in pointed pad
feet, and with a wrought iron 'T'-shaped stretcher.
Trivets” were raised on legs of iron to
enable tem to sit in the actual fire,
supporting the cooking vessel
for cooking, warming or stirring. Before the 18th century,
trivets were usually made entirely of iron, the three legs
providing more stability on uneven surfaces.
In the 18th century, they became much more elaborate, and even gained a 4th leg, those being known as “footmen”.
With footmen, only the back
legs are usually of iron.
However, please note these legs are of
brass.
Literature :
A
pair of trivets identical to the 1780 example is illustrated P., N.
& H. Schiffer,
The Brass Book (1978), p. 400, Figure
C,
where it is noted that 'this pair of trivets is highly unusual,
yet as singles they are still interesting.
Most trivets have iron
legs; these have brass legs and iron stretchers, a rare and
desirable combination.'
This type of trivet, with hooks to the front
corners of the top, was intended to hook onto a grate's fire bars
Condition : Excellent with wear appropriate to
age and usage; expected wear to the wooden handle
9.2” High x 7.8” Wide x 7.8” x 15.8” Deep
SOLD
#6540
PLEASE INQUIRE
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