Hand-Wrought Copper Pot - Possibly 18th Century!

[UnderMiner]

Found this today at one of my exclusive dump hunting grounds. It appears to be copper with a heavy patina. Its two handles are clearly hand-forged and the rivets appear to be just hammered splotches of metal. It is 13.5" wide and 6" deep. From my research I've narrowed it down to being either a "jelly kettle" or a "melting pot". Sources say this particular design dates to the 18th century with more refined variants appearing later in the 19th century. From its primitive design I think this may very well be 18th century. It's pretty neat whatever time period it's from.



The primitive hand-wrought copper handles and rivets:


The pot's base is concave. Research says it was not designed to sit on a stove but was meant to hang over a fireplace:


This is the closest looking example online that I could find: Large Old Antique Copper Candy Apple Butter Kettle Cauldron Pot Tub Handmade | eBay
Here is another example I found of a similar style pot: Primitive Hand Forged Copper Melting Pot from hiddeninthehills on Ruby Lane

 

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[digging440yrs]

Awesome find

 

[CRUSADER]

Not sure on the age, but worth saving!

 

[pepperj]

Well it wasn't made yesterday that's for sure. Great save on the piece, looking at the links it maybe worth a fare $$$.

 

[Scrappy]

Well it ain't new, or a reproduction (kidding). That is a super cool find!!! I love it!!!!!

Steve

 

[kingskid1611]

That is an awesome find. A definite keeper.

 

[guardez]

Looks like a trade kettle. And judging from your location, it would be either 17th or 18 century. These were huge trade items
from French, English, Dutch, traders. I would say worth many dollars.
Good Going;

Steve Guardez

 

[OWK]

Hate to say it, but it looks to me like one of the decorative brass or copper items imported from India, and sold at stores like Pier 1 Imports back in the 70's and 80's.

 

[coinman123]

Real or not it is a pretty nice find, I love the patina. Good luck, I hope you got a real one.

 

[mwb76]

My best guess would be apple butter kettle or rendering pot for outside don't know if anyone here have tried to make applebutter but it requires a large fire

 

[villagenut]

What else did you dig there when you found this piece? Usually some supporting evidence can help date an unknown one.Shards,nails,bottles...that sort of thing. On the other hand, beer cans and other modern materials may tell otherwise. Hope it is an oldie though, I love the patina and hand worked parts, although as OWK said, these have been reproduced.Either way, a very cool piece.

 

[etex]

Always good to have a pot to pi## in.

 

[Argentium]

There may be know way to know how old it is- because the metal working techniques involved in hand fabricating this piece, have not
changed in centuries. I'm guessing it's at least a 120 years old - from the online examples you've shown , I think you're spot on
with regard to it's purpose/function . Nice Save !

 

[Muddyhandz]

Well, you have one strong point in your favour.....
That your kettle was found in New York.
I'll reproduce the first paragraph (by hand) from an article written by James Hanson for The Museum of the Fur Trade Vol.33, No.2 - Summer 1997 on Kettles.......

"The Dutch Kettle
In the first half of the 17th century Dutch traders established important commercial relations with Indian tribes in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England.
The Kettles found exclusively in this region at sites contemporaneous with the colony of New Netherlands have ears (or lugs) made from rectangular strips of brass.
The individual strip was rolled in the center, then bent in a "U." Finally, the flat ends of the inverted U were attached to the kettle body with a single rivet through each end."

Another paragraph in the article states....

"That the inverted U ear is a typical Dutch pattern is reinforced by an extensive survey of Dutch and Flemish paintings of the 1620 - 1660 period.
All but one depiction of an open kettle clearly show the inverted U ears."

My question would be the same as villagenut......What else did you find there that would support this being an old find?

If this is a period Dutch colonial kettle from the 17th century it would blow the roof off the banner board!

Awesome find and I will be watching this thread closely!

Cheers,
Dave.

 

[sutphin]

HEY MINER. SO YOU SAY YOU WERE DIGGING AT THE DUMP PUSHED SOME TRASH AROUND THIS POT JUMPED UP. THE HANDLES HAVE A ENORMOUS AMOUNT COPPER BUILT UP TO FORM THEM. HECK OF A COPPER ARTISIAN TO FABRICATE THIS FINE SPECIMINE. NICE FINDS.

 

[wagbert]

UnderMiner,
You are saving some wonderful things for the future generations to appreciate. Almost anyone could look at the many great historical items you have saved from the dumps and see that they have some worth. It boggles my mind to think why people would throw away such important relics. No doubt many things are lost forever, but I have no fear-
UnderMiner is near!
Great Job!
Phil

 

[UnderMiner]

Well, you have one strong point in your favour.....
That your kettle was found in New York.
I'll reproduce the first paragraph (by hand) from an article written by James Hanson for The Museum of the Fur Trade Vol.33, No.2 - Summer 1997 on Kettles.......

"The Dutch Kettle
In the first half of the 17th century Dutch traders established important commercial relations with Indian tribes in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New England.
The Kettles found exclusively in this region at sites contemporaneous with the colony of New Netherlands have ears (or lugs) made from rectangular strips of brass.
The individual strip was rolled in the center, then bent in a "U." Finally, the flat ends of the inverted U were attached to the kettle body with a single rivet through each end."

Another paragraph in the article states....

"That the inverted U ear is a typical Dutch pattern is reinforced by an extensive survey of Dutch and Flemish paintings of the 1620 - 1660 period.
All but one depiction of an open kettle clearly show the inverted U ears."

My question would be the same as villagenut......What else did you find there that would support this being an old find?

If this is a period Dutch colonial kettle from the 17th century it would blow the roof off the banner board!

Awesome find and I will be watching this thread closely!

Cheers,
Dave.

This was the only thing I found. Nothing really around that would help date it, but it sounds almost identical to the one you describe from your Fur Trade book. I didn't really think of it being older than the 1700's but I guess anything's possible. Thanks for all the info!

 

[BuckleBoy]

Wow, what a great find! Looks like it's early--and I wouldn't discount it being 17th c. People kept utilitarian items like this until they broke or weren't useful anymore. I find early 1800s pottery even at early 1900s sites in Louisiana, for example. That is a terrific find, and if it is Dutch then YES it is a banner find.

-Buck

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Wow! Awesome relic save! That must have been a surprise! Looks in good shape.

How would you date something like that? Test it?

 

[UnderMiner]

Wow! Awesome relic save! That must have been a surprise! Looks in good shape.

How would you date something like that? Test it?

Thanks! No idea, I guess I just need to take it to an expert to authenticate its age. I'll try to do that soon.