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Bed Warmer
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Title |
Bed Warmer
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Museum |
Historic Hope Plantation
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Date |
1780-1800
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Extent |
Length: 30" Depth: 3" Diameter: 10.5"
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Medium |
METAL/copper/brass/wood
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Subject |
Beds
Plantation Life
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Spatial |
United States
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Description
Bed warmer (LOA 30", Diam. 10.5"). Circular copper pan for holding coals or hot ashes, attatched to a long handle. A brass lid hinged to the pan, is decorated with hammered pattern. A brass ring attaches pan to turned wooden handle, decorated to simulate marble. American, late 18th century.
Transcripton
Families in the 1700s and 1800s relied on fire to heat their living spaces. Even so, cold drafts were a problem most winter nights. This tool was useful for warming cold sheets on a freezing cold night. Hot ashes from the fireplace are placed in the copper pan, which then is run between the covers. At Hope, this type of job would have gone to an enslaved house servant. How would you feel about warming up someone else's soft bed when you had to sleep on an uncomfortable cot or maybe even on the cold floor?
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