Mid 19th Century Soapstone Foot Warmer

Valley Ranger · Jul 27, 2026

I haven't posted in a long time. But as I just received a new Minelab Manticore, I hope to spend more time in the field. But I wanted to share this unusual find. I was in an antique store last week here in the Shenandoah Valley and saw this item (2nd image) with a wire handle on it. I immediately recognized it as being almost identical (minus the wire handle) to an item I found (1st image) while canoeing and mudlarking a local stream. The shopkeeper told me it was a horse tether. That is incorrect. It’s a soapstone foot warmer for beds, sleighs and wagons. Both measure 8”x10” and 1.25” thick and weigh 11 lbs. Mine probably dates to the mid to latter 1800’s from the research I did. I almost didn’t bring it home because I thought it might just be some kind of modern paver. I consider it one of my top 20 relic finds. Not due to value, but due to it being so unusual - at least for me. I've never seen one before these 2.

E-Trac-Ohio · Jul 27, 2026

Cool find !

Almy · Jul 27, 2026

I've read about them but have not seen one before. They must have been commonly used and there must be lots of discarded ones around. But being stone, metal detectors would not see them and they would tend to blend into the soil landscape, so are seldom noticed or identified. It's good you were able to do so.

unclemac · Jul 27, 2026

never heard of such a thing

oldmxrat · Jul 27, 2026

Cool find!

3cylbill · Jul 27, 2026

The Amish use them in thier buggies around here... I had a couple i used to wrap up in my 53 GMC pickup i put them on the floor and they kept me from freezing up..just set them on the woodstove overnight

Valley Ranger · Jul 29, 2026

3cylbill said:
The Amish use them in thier buggies around here... I had a couple i used to wrap up in my 53 GMC pickup i put them on the floor and they kept me from freezing up..just set them on the woodstove overnight

It's on my woodstove now. Just waiting for cold weather.