Name/Title
Kahn Collection: Foot Warmer, c. 18th centuryEntry/Object ID
1976.014.008Description
An 18th century rectangular-shaped foot warmer consisting of a tin-plate box with a hinged door set inside a wooden frame featuring turned pillars. The tin box has a wire pull to enable easy opening is pierced with holes to provide ventilation. The The holes are bordered by a punched decorative design. A swing wire handle is affixed to the top to enable the foot warmer to be carried or hung when not in use. Bottom of warmer has "KAHN" written on it and came from the Harvey Kahn collection, donated to the Millburn Library in 1976.
Foot warmers were commonly used in 18th and 19th century America. Normally, foot warmers contained tin trays to hold hot coals, which would be placed inside the tin box. Foot warmers provided supplemental heat to buildings, were easily transportable, so could accompany travelers on journeys. While effective, they were extreme fire hazards, especially when covered by women’s skirts or blankets as a means of insulating the heat.Collection
Kahn CollectionAcquisition
Accession
1976.014Source or Donor
UnknownDimensions
Height
9 inWidth
5-3/4 inDepth
7-1/2 in
