French Coal Scuttle with Square Shape and Hammered Pattern

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French Coal Scuttle with Square Shape and Hammered Pattern

• Manufacturer: from France
• Date of manufacture: 1960s

Description
This coal scuttle has a square shape and is decorated with a hammered pattern. The black lacquer is finished with a copper-coloured coating.

The coal scuttle is equipped with a handle on the top and a grip on the bottom. A coal scuttle was used in the past to transport coal from the coal shed to the coal stove and to pour the coal through the filling opening into the stove to keep the fire going. The shape of the coal scuttle is practical: as it narrows towards the top, it cannot easily tip over, and the dust clouds during transport and emptying of the coal scuttle into the stove are not very large. The handles are designed so that the coal scuttle can be carried well and easily emptied.

Due to the rise of natural gas in the 1960s, coal stoves quickly disappeared from Dutch homes, and with them, the coal scuttle. Sometimes they are still used as decoration or as umbrella stands.

A hammered pattern refers to an effect achieved by repeatedly creating small dents, pits, or unevenness on the surface of the metal. Hammering the metal creates uneven reflections of light on the surface, resulting in a characteristic texture with a varied pattern. It gives the surface an interesting and lively appearance.

The result is a decorative finish that provides an interesting and visually appealing look.

Condition
This coal scuttle is in good vintage condition with slight signs of use and age-related wear. The photos are part of the description.

Dimensions

• Height: 54 cm
• Length: 21.5 cm
• Width: 21.5 cm

Coal Scuttle
The household item known as a coal scuttle was an essential part of households that used coal stoves for heating and cooking.

A coal scuttle was a bucket- or jug-shaped container specially designed for carrying and storing coal. It served as a practical tool for transporting coal from a central storage location to the coal stove. By using the coal scuttle, one could easily pick up coal and place it into the stove without directly handling the coal.

The coal scuttle was usually made of metal, such as zinc or tin. It had a handle on the top, making it easy to lift and carry. The shape of the coal scuttle varied, but generally, it had a narrow opening at the top and tapered downward, making it easier to scoop out coal.

Some coal scuttles were equipped with a scoop or shovel on the side, allowing one to scoop up coal and place it in the stove. This facilitated the process of filling the stove and reduced coal spillage during transport.

Coal scuttles were particularly widespread in households during the period when coal stoves were the primary form of heating, mainly until the emergence of gas stoves and central heating systems.

Today, coal scuttles are not commonly used anymore, as coal stoves and the use of coal as a household fuel have greatly declined and are virtually nonexistent in practice in most Western countries. However, the object remains a reminder of an era when coal was a significant source of energy.