carolinetyler
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posted on August 18, 2005 05:08:06 PM
I bought this thing as a French pewter water vessel. I think it has a specific purpose - oil can for kerosene? But it is almost to nice to be used for oil and there's no residue nor smell. I can't make out the lettering on the side, the pic is not blurry, it's the lettering.
 
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 Caroline
[ edited by carolinetyler on Aug 18, 2005 05:08 PM ]
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cherishedclutter
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posted on August 18, 2005 05:15:11 PM
How big is it? Could it be a watering can (for flowers, etc)?
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estatesalestuff
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posted on August 18, 2005 05:18:19 PM
certainly is UNIQUE!!!! ...
but not sure what it would have
been used for ...
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max40
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posted on August 18, 2005 05:21:22 PM
My guess is kerosene or lamp oil. I don't think a water can would have a stopper on the spout. JMHO
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twig125silver
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posted on August 18, 2005 05:29:52 PM
My guess is for lamp oil. That would look much nicer being carried around the house to fill lamps than (I dunno, what did they carry oil around in) a barrel?
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birgittaw
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posted on August 18, 2005 06:17:21 PM
Olive oil, vinegar, holy water -- assuming this fills from the threaded(?) top? Nice floral incised decoration! Looks kitcheny.
B/
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carolinetyler
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posted on August 18, 2005 06:37:14 PM
It is 16 inches tall, the top does unscrew for filling. I would like it to be a watering can - I think that would sell better than an oil can.
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Caroline
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birgittaw
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posted on August 18, 2005 06:53:20 PM
With the chain, as well as the stopper, may have held something that should not evaporate. That circular hook on top had some function as well surely?
When in doubt, I always go to rec.antiques under newsgroups -- but post the pic as a link, not an in-line attachment, and don't ask about value!
They've never let me down yet on some very very obscure items.
B/
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neglus
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posted on August 19, 2005 05:17:05 PM
It really looks old! Not sure what it is - looks like writing is initials (maybe pair that were married?) followed by a year 1811.
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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carolinetyler
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posted on August 19, 2005 05:56:18 PM
I didn't even see the 1811 until your post - I was looking at it as an address or something - but I think you may be right. Thanks!
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Caroline
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neglus
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posted on August 19, 2005 06:31:34 PM
The reason I thought of the date is my husband's family home in Switzerland (built 1703) has a few things with initials and year dates - I think most of them were wedding gifts or part of trousseau. Even the ceramic tile in the oven (used for heat on the living room side and cooking on the kitchen side - ala hansel and gretel)has initials and a year date.
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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twig125silver
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posted on August 20, 2005 05:10:22 AM
I was looking through a book of kitchen antiques and came across an oil lamp from the early 1800's that is somewhat similar. It didn't have the stopper and chain, and also had a second "spout" to catch oil drips. They did say the one in the book was unique as it was "neat and frugal as the leftover oil could be reused" referring to the second spout I think.
Just a thought.
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carolinetyler
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posted on August 20, 2005 05:23:30 AM
Neglus, now I'm thinking it may be Swiss, looks more so than Dutch. It is really coming together now. Twig - thanks for your input - very helpful, I think I'll do some early lighting research to see if it pops up.
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Caroline
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twig125silver
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posted on August 20, 2005 04:40:56 PM
I went to an auction today and there one was....not as pretty nor as old. The fellow who purchased it collects oil lamps and things like yours....It is to hold lamp oil. He said it's pretty rare to find them with the chain and the part that fits over the spout (can't remember what he called that). Let me know when you list it. I see him around and I'll let him know.
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