PA DUTCH Folk Art Hand Painted Distelfink HEARTS Tulips CAST IRON Fire Pot c1850

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PA DUTCH Folk Art Hand Painted Distelfink HEARTS Tulips CAST IRON Fire Pot c1850:
$175.00

An Antique c.1850

Cast Iron Tinsmiths Tool

Firepot - Brazier

Painted in the Pennsylvania Dutch FOLK ART Tradition

with

Distelfinks - Hearts & Tulips

_____________

Found inBerks County, PA.

Distelfinks - Tulips & Heart Design

We do apologize for such a lengthy description,

but we find it necessary since this is quite an unusual item.

One not typically found and/or known to many folks.

DESCRIPTION

An Unusual Item withthe most Charming Pennsylvania German Folk Art Painted Decoration

What an absolute delight to have found this! If you love early cast iron items, or if you collect early tinsmith tools, and if you love decorated Pennsylvania Dutch Designs ... as we do ... this is for you!

We found this at a recent local sale of an historic property and contents in Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pennsylvania. A house that was filled with fine antique Pennsylvania artifacts. This is an early tinsmiths tool dating back to the mid 19th century circa 1850, called a brazier or firepot, this one is made of cast iron and has a long gate mark on the base.

It bears the company name of N. G. Taylor (cast in raised lettering) on the tray at the front. The N.G. Taylor Company started in 1810 in Philadelphia, PA.and was a premier tin importer in the early part of the 19th century.

Essentially a small stove, the firepot held coal and was capable of creating a good hot fire that would heat the copper soldering irons used in tinsmithing.

The tray at the front was where the tinsmith would place his copper soldering irons, setting them into the fire at the base of the stove.

Early tinsmithing tools are collectible, as are the images of tinsmiths. Here\'s an early posed image of a Tinsmith with his firepot. We found it on the internet. (the image is not part of this sale)

The tinsmith is shown holding his snips and off to the right you can see his firepot with the soldering irons resting upon the tray.

While the firepot is an antique from the mid 19th century, the paint decoration on this rare little stove is from about 60 years ago, around the 1950\'s or so when there was a revival of interest in all things Pennsylvania Dutch. Here in our part of Pennsylvania, antique tinware (toleware) and antique cast iron items from the previous century are often found decorated with these delightful Folk Art designs. The images taken from the early fraktur art, typically they incorporate the Pennsylvania love of the Distelfink bird and plenty of hearts and of course the beloved tulip. They have always been a staple decorative item in the rural farming homes throughout Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks Counties.

Decorated by amateur artists, usually housewives, it was a favoured way of using items that were long since relegated to the attic or barn. And for the times a great way for women to earn extra pin money. They typically sold these items to local shops in the 50\'s and 60\'s when tourism of South Eastern Pennsylvania first became quite popular after World War II. These naively decorated, delightful Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art pieces have now become quite collectible all across our country. And this one is a true rarity ... you will not come across another! An antique cast iron tinsmith firepot is nearly impossible to find, when have you seen another one? And this one being marked with the N.G. Taylor logo makes it a real rarity, a good Philadelphia Pennsylvania antique Tinsmiths tool with wonderful later PA. German Decoration.

This piece has a fabulous design of a Distelfink above a Heart & Tulip motif in the traditional bold colors beloved by the Pennsylvania Germans. Another Distelfink graces the back of the brazier and additional Tulips and flowers and leaves decorate the sides the feet and the lid. The lid is wooden and was obviously added to the brazier by the person that painted the little stove. It is removable, there is a tiny ring pull at the top. The interior is quite spacious the firepot has a depth of 9-1/2\" and the width at the rim is 5\" across. The condition on the interior is fine, no rust. Next to the rim opening there is a small chimney that stands above the rim to the back that does show some wear along the top edge. The bail handle is original and in great condition and the entire firepot can be carried safely by the bail handle. The cast iron is still in excellent condition with no cracks or damage. The paint decoration is in very good condition, no peeling paint. This is a very heavy item weighing approximately 10 lbs.

For anyone that might consider actually putting this to use as a tinsmith firepot in the future, please be aware that there is no longer access to the body of the firepot thru the tray (the area just below the large heart at the front). It has been covered over and handsomely painted with two facing tulips.

A Delightful Pennsylvania Dutch Vintage Folk Art Item !

Size: 12\" high - 17\" high with handle fully extended - 13-3/4\" depth front to back - 10\" across

Weight: 10-lbs.

CONDITION

Excellent

Overall a handsome Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art Piece to add to you Collection!

OUR TERMS

Shipping & Insurance

We are a husband and wife team and have been full time antiques dealers since the 1970\'s.

We do our own expert professional quality packing and ship either the same day or within 1 business day of receipt of payment. All items are carefully wrapped with plenty of protective packaging materials and placed in sturdy boxes. Items are shipped via USPS Priority Mail or Parcel Select with tracking and insurance.

We of course are happy to combine-shipping to save you money on postage. Please wait for an updated invoice from us before paying if you are purchasing several items.

Our preferred method of payment is Paypal. If you can\'t pay with Paypal please email us.

Layaways

We\'re happy to sell on a layaway basis. We ask for one third (1/3) deposit at purchase with the balance due within 90 days. Cancellation during this period, however, means a forfeiture of the deposit.

Here\'s how it works: You make your purchase as usual using theBUY IT NOWbutton on the item. Send us an email letting us know that you want to put the item on layaway. We\'ll then send you a Paypal Money Request Invoice for 1/3. We mark the item PAID IN FULL on when the last payment is made.

We\'re happy to discuss any of our terms or anything at all regarding any of our items for sale.

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