Ed Donaldson Hardware Restorations Hearth Cooking

Reference # 710-327

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Hanging griddle with wrought handle for fireplace cooking, circa 1830. Griddle measures 12" in diameter. The arched handle rises 6" above the griddle and would have been hung from the hook on a trammel or crane. The handle ends are nicely curled into the eyes on the griddle, shown in close-ups below, and was actually made from a piece of iron used earlier on a scale indicated by the scale numbers which show up on the handle - bottom row below left. The numbers range from 15 through 25 across the handle. Shows the thrifty nature of early settlers and how they salvaged iron wherever and whenever they could. There is a raised 1/8" rim around the griddle. Very good condition.

Reference # 710-324

1 skewer available

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A wrought iron single skewer on a standing rest for hearth cooking, circa 1800. This skewer measures 16" overall and has an "H" shaped rest measuring 4 1/2" wide x 3" high. The twisted handle extends 4 1/2" back from the rest and ends with a nice large curl. The skewer itself is a 10 3/4" extension and is 1/4" square at widest tapering down to the point. In original aged finish - not recently restored.

Reference # 710-226

1 available

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An excellent example of an original early American wrought iron hanging utensil rack for cooking implements, from the end of the 18th century or beginning of the 19th. Measuring 9 1/2" high x 8" wide overall. Five flat sided hooks are peened on the bottom rail and extend 1 1/4". Four of the hooks are still tight, while the fifth is slightly loose from normal wear but still quite usable. Well wrought decorative leaves are on each side (peened) as well as the decorative top flower. The drive-in mount spikes are 3 1/2" deep. The decorative center flower type spray is attached onto the center rail along with the center hook using a single peen for both shown from the back in second row below far right. This piece is in original nicely aged finish and in excellent condition.

Reference # 710-282

1 available

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A fine example of an early wrought iron double candle stand, known as an Alpine stand, from the mid-18th century. An adaptation of the spring grip principle used with rush and splint holders - this type of candle stand is sometimes confused with said holders. Often found mounted on wood bases, this one has a rare finely wrought standing base and was obviously made for a wealthy patron. Measuring 17 1/2" high overall, the nicely curled feet are 3" high, the drip pan base is 10" x 6 1/2". The main body of the holder above the pan is 10" high x 7 1/2" across. The center grip rises 4" above the top of the candle holders. The sides of the candle holder itself are formed from tempered spring iron and retracts by pulling back toward the center on the curled upright shown in close-ups 3rd row below. The candle is then placed in the holder and the upright is released to spring back into place and hold the candle secure. A beautifully formed early piece of lighting not recently restored in aged black finish.

Reference # 710-297

1 available

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A very early rush/splint light, probably European in origin, from the late 17th or early 18th century. The wrought iron mechanism is mounted on a wood base which was made to insert into bases, tables, and a multitude of holders incorporated throughout the house. Measuring 19 1/2" overall - the metal light portion is 10 1/2". The splint pincer is an actuated spring grip. The top is also a "U" shaped grip into which a splint was forced. The two uses are shown in close-ups below bottom row. The spring grip is still very strong and works well.

Reference # 710-298

1 available
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An early long handled wrought iron hearth drip pan, measuring 28" overall. The split arched foot rest has a spread of 4" x 2" high. The pan itself is 5 1/2" x 6" and has slightly indented pour spouts at each side as shown in close-ups below and a depth of 1 1/4". Drip pans were extremely important in the households of early America and came in all shapes and sizes. Fat was never wasted and was used for cooking as well as innumerable household items and chores. An unusual drip pan in a pleasing form.

Reference # 998-691

1 available

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A wrought iron stove poker with a wrapped wire grip, circa 1890-1900. Poker measures 18" overall with the grip measuring 4 1/2" x 1 1/4" in diameter at widest. The poker extends 1 3/4". A hanger ring at the top is 7/8" diameter.

Reference # 710-331

1 available

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A candle wax save-all in copper from the 19th century. One of the drawbacks of using candles for lighting was that they left stumps after the candle had burned down to the top of the socket. Discarding this much wax was wasteful and expensive so they recycled the wax with save-alls. These items were placed in the candlestick sockets with the candle stumps set on the points and burned until completely melted - a pour spout allowed the melted wax to be poured off and added to the wax for the next candle making. These common items were in use for over 100 years. This example measures 3 1/2" high overall and the top is 2 3/4" x 2 1/4" riveted to the base which is graduated to fit in many sized candle sockets. The three tines are 3/4". In excellent condition.