Hot Water Urn
Daten. d.
Mediumcopper and silver
Dimensions12 1/2 × 9 1/2 inches (31.8 × 24.1 cm)
Credit LineGift of the estate of Mrs. Lawrence Lee Sr. through Miss Clermont Lee.
Object numberOT1962.9.a-b
CopyrightThe images and text contained on this page are owned by Telfair Museums or used by the Museum with permission from the owners. Unauthorized reproduction, transmission or display of these materials is prohibited with the exception of items deemed “fair use” as defined by U.S. and international copyright laws.Label TextThis copper and silver hot water urn has a removable lid crowned by a sphinx knob, handles with lion head base and terminating with a bird's head, claw feet connected to Doric columns topped with lions' masks and bands of Greek key designs. In the center of the base is a larger sphinx figure.
This urn was designed for a prominent position on the tea table. The spherical body is constructed of two sections and was manufactured from sheet metal. To keep the water hot a red-hot iron bar was placed in a sleeve inside the urn to heat the water.
Urns to contain hot water for making tea and coffee were used in Britain from about 1770 until well into the 19th century. Hot water urns stood on a side-board or dresser. They were made in a variety of materials, including silver, Sheffield plate, brass and copper. These urns were intended to form part of the furnishings of a dining room, and therefore were well-designed, imposing vessels.
Some content from Victoria and Albert Museum https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O78568/hot-water-urn-unknown/
