18th Century French Bronze And Iron Handled Tripod Hearth Cauldron Circa 1780
Item History & Price
18th century French bronze & wrought iron handled tripod hearth cauldron/kettle, circa 1780We purchasecollections of Continental lighting, metalwork, ceramics, glass & textiles, enabling me to offer a quantity of rare antiques. Please register my store/page in your favorites, for a fine range of 14th to 19th century period metalwork, lighting& other pieces, all guaranteed, as to age, condition & origin. I have far more than I can possibly keep up with, as to eBay – an...d, international buyers cannot otherwise "see" pieces listed on eBayUK.
Text, formatting & images © 2019 – R. Josef Williamson – allrights reserved.Breveté, 2019, par M. R. Josef Williamson. ATTENTION– défense de reproduction! We are very serious, as to Intellectual Property rights – any violations arereported to eBay,
and our Intellectual Properties attorneys in Leeds & Paris. Please read my terms of salecarefully!Elly Burdett This is in England.I am buying on the road inEurope: pieces in England cannot be shipped after about August29th.My tenant is not familiarwith antiques packing. If this is a problem, please don’t buy now.
Free collection by appt. ispossible near York;my large antiques room & many new arrivals can beviewed.
This is one of perhaps three virtuallyidentical French cauldrons we’ve purchased over the past decade, and from a wide range of geographiclocations across France. I very actively collect French lighting, hearth-related and other early metalwork, and have seen other similar cauldrons (in France) – I emphasize this, to rule out the cauldron as being Flemish orGerman. There’s a bit of a gap in my reference library onContinental metalwork, in that I tend to focus on earlier pieces, and I don’tknow of a remotely comprehensive book on French domestic copper alloys (there are several on German, Dutch & Flemish pieces, published in German). I haveseveral French bronze pots and cauldrons from as early as the 15th century, butthey have little in common with this, in terms of form.As withContinental copper alloy alms plates and lavabos, some caution is necessarywith pots, skillets and cauldrons also – earlier, & more exotic exampleshave been both copied & faked. I have two books (one in German, & theother in French) that specifically address the problem of pieces that were copied as earlyas the 18th century, through the early 20th century, butboth are out of print, and neither were ever translated.The problemof older reproductions and fakes (plus others in wrought iron) has beencompounded in the past thirty five years by a large quantity of pieces importedinto Europe, presumably from the Far East (one of the most recent mass importations in France took place in about 2002 to 2004) – under normal circumstances, theywouldn’t fool anyone. However, there are more than a few completelyunscrupulous dealers in the European antiques trade – I’ve seen French dealersthat have piles of fakes, “patinating” in their barnyards. Another old-timetrick is to artificially age fakes in a heap of cow manure for a year or more – and the other thing towatch out for is pieces that have been artificially “distressed”.One of thebest indicators of age to any handled vessel is the amount of wear on thehandle ends - as can be seen in photo # 3, there is very substantial wear tothe iron, where the handle pivots. Given the fairly substantial size of thisspecific type of cauldron, they are remarkably thin-cast.Condition is good, but not perfect – there is a small hole (photos 7 & 9) in the bottom of thecauldron that is almost certainly due to a casting defect. The underside of thecauldron has been painted – and I have no idea of why - with what is justlyreferred to in the US antiques trade as “radiator paint” – but it is not hidingany repairs or problems (and we guarantee it). The other problem is that thereare minor stress cracks around one handle support (see photos # 4 & 6). Photos arehigh resolution – use magnification for viewing details. Please ask, if you wish additional photos.© R. Josef Williamson Certified expert & appraiser, New England Appraisers Association.Founding Trustee, New BedfordMuseum of Glass.Height – about 18.4 cm. (7 & 1/4”): maximum height with the handle upright – about 31cm. (12 & 1/4“): maximum width, across the handles – 30 cm. (11 &3/4”). Weight – 2 kilos, not including packaging.Insuredmailing within the UK is £11; to the EU is £21 – to North America is £41.We don't charge for packing & handling, & always offer grouped rate posting, with no time limits.We ship from both France & the UK– please read listings carefully – rates& conditions are substantially different.Important!We usually mailwithin 5 to 7 working days from clearance of payment, but dorequest that buyers be understanding of delays due to illness, severe weather, or computer problems: this is strictly a small business with no employees!Buyers leaving less than5-star feedback (no longer invisible) will be permanently black-listed.
Returns accepted - if: there is a major problem with the age, condition ororigin of a piece as described; and this is confirmed by aqualified expert with professional credentials. Photographsof any alleged damage are required - they are mandatory for insurance claims.This is not a "decorator" shop - eBay’s “Hassle-free returns” does not apply to arbitrary whim!
What you pay for shippingis our actual cost – international shipping is expensive- we have absolutely no control over rates – I lose 4% to PayPal, and often absorb extra costs, such as double-boxing.International buyers – please inquire, as to mailing costs!Note:Our independent certifications withthe New England Appraisers Association (in both France & England) expedite Customsclearances, and prevent duties being incorrectly imposed on antiques conformingto the 100 years legal dateline, thus saving buyers 10% to 43% in relevant countries.Payments: PayPal, French or UK checks, or bank drafts, & all banktransfers accepted. I am obliged to accept PayPal, but prefer bank transfers, or UK or French checks -PayPal takes a 4% bite out of all transactions - including shipping costs.My business partner is an expatriate American historian of DecorativeArts, a published antiques editor & writer, guest curator, certifiedappraiser, & internationally respected authority in early glass, lighting, metalwork, sculpture, period furniture & other categories. He has placedpieces with French & US museums, including the Smithsonian, & assistsme with acquisitions, research & texts. You can buy from me, withconfidence in your purchases. We are separate and private academic collectors, looking todefray the costs of advancing with our own collections. R. Josef is the only EuropeanDecorative Arts specialist for the NewEngland Appraisers Association residing in the European Union, and is available for expertise or arbitration. Contact information is availablefrom the NEAA – or see myprofessional contact details, as provided beneath eBay UK listings.
ET BurdettDear buyers – apologies for the intrusive copyrightlines, but they are there because R. Josef is an extensively published expert with ongoing academic & commercial commissions, includingforthcoming books. Listings often contain original research &information that has not appeared before; several British& Continental eBay sellers have been reported for plagiarizing formatting & texts. We fiercely protect our Intellectual Property rights – andin court, when necessary.
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Text, formatting & images © 2019 – R. Josef Williamson – allrights reserved.Breveté, 2019, par M. R. Josef Williamson. ATTENTION– défense de reproduction! We are very serious, as to Intellectual Property rights – any violations arereported to eBay,
and our Intellectual Properties attorneys in Leeds & Paris. Please read my terms of salecarefully!Elly Burdett This is in England.I am buying on the road inEurope: pieces in England cannot be shipped after about August29th.My tenant is not familiarwith antiques packing. If this is a problem, please don’t buy now.
Free collection by appt. ispossible near York;my large antiques room & many new arrivals can beviewed.
This is one of perhaps three virtuallyidentical French cauldrons we’ve purchased over the past decade, and from a wide range of geographiclocations across France. I very actively collect French lighting, hearth-related and other early metalwork, and have seen other similar cauldrons (in France) – I emphasize this, to rule out the cauldron as being Flemish orGerman. There’s a bit of a gap in my reference library onContinental metalwork, in that I tend to focus on earlier pieces, and I don’tknow of a remotely comprehensive book on French domestic copper alloys (there are several on German, Dutch & Flemish pieces, published in German). I haveseveral French bronze pots and cauldrons from as early as the 15th century, butthey have little in common with this, in terms of form.As withContinental copper alloy alms plates and lavabos, some caution is necessarywith pots, skillets and cauldrons also – earlier, & more exotic exampleshave been both copied & faked. I have two books (one in German, & theother in French) that specifically address the problem of pieces that were copied as earlyas the 18th century, through the early 20th century, butboth are out of print, and neither were ever translated.The problemof older reproductions and fakes (plus others in wrought iron) has beencompounded in the past thirty five years by a large quantity of pieces importedinto Europe, presumably from the Far East (one of the most recent mass importations in France took place in about 2002 to 2004) – under normal circumstances, theywouldn’t fool anyone. However, there are more than a few completelyunscrupulous dealers in the European antiques trade – I’ve seen French dealersthat have piles of fakes, “patinating” in their barnyards. Another old-timetrick is to artificially age fakes in a heap of cow manure for a year or more – and the other thing towatch out for is pieces that have been artificially “distressed”.One of thebest indicators of age to any handled vessel is the amount of wear on thehandle ends - as can be seen in photo # 3, there is very substantial wear tothe iron, where the handle pivots. Given the fairly substantial size of thisspecific type of cauldron, they are remarkably thin-cast.Condition is good, but not perfect – there is a small hole (photos 7 & 9) in the bottom of thecauldron that is almost certainly due to a casting defect. The underside of thecauldron has been painted – and I have no idea of why - with what is justlyreferred to in the US antiques trade as “radiator paint” – but it is not hidingany repairs or problems (and we guarantee it). The other problem is that thereare minor stress cracks around one handle support (see photos # 4 & 6). Photos arehigh resolution – use magnification for viewing details. Please ask, if you wish additional photos.© R. Josef Williamson Certified expert & appraiser, New England Appraisers Association.Founding Trustee, New BedfordMuseum of Glass.Height – about 18.4 cm. (7 & 1/4”): maximum height with the handle upright – about 31cm. (12 & 1/4“): maximum width, across the handles – 30 cm. (11 &3/4”). Weight – 2 kilos, not including packaging.Insuredmailing within the UK is £11; to the EU is £21 – to North America is £41.We don't charge for packing & handling, & always offer grouped rate posting, with no time limits.We ship from both France & the UK– please read listings carefully – rates& conditions are substantially different.Important!We usually mailwithin 5 to 7 working days from clearance of payment, but dorequest that buyers be understanding of delays due to illness, severe weather, or computer problems: this is strictly a small business with no employees!Buyers leaving less than5-star feedback (no longer invisible) will be permanently black-listed.
Returns accepted - if: there is a major problem with the age, condition ororigin of a piece as described; and this is confirmed by aqualified expert with professional credentials. Photographsof any alleged damage are required - they are mandatory for insurance claims.This is not a "decorator" shop - eBay’s “Hassle-free returns” does not apply to arbitrary whim!
What you pay for shippingis our actual cost – international shipping is expensive- we have absolutely no control over rates – I lose 4% to PayPal, and often absorb extra costs, such as double-boxing.International buyers – please inquire, as to mailing costs!Note:Our independent certifications withthe New England Appraisers Association (in both France & England) expedite Customsclearances, and prevent duties being incorrectly imposed on antiques conformingto the 100 years legal dateline, thus saving buyers 10% to 43% in relevant countries.Payments: PayPal, French or UK checks, or bank drafts, & all banktransfers accepted. I am obliged to accept PayPal, but prefer bank transfers, or UK or French checks -PayPal takes a 4% bite out of all transactions - including shipping costs.My business partner is an expatriate American historian of DecorativeArts, a published antiques editor & writer, guest curator, certifiedappraiser, & internationally respected authority in early glass, lighting, metalwork, sculpture, period furniture & other categories. He has placedpieces with French & US museums, including the Smithsonian, & assistsme with acquisitions, research & texts. You can buy from me, withconfidence in your purchases. We are separate and private academic collectors, looking todefray the costs of advancing with our own collections. R. Josef is the only EuropeanDecorative Arts specialist for the NewEngland Appraisers Association residing in the European Union, and is available for expertise or arbitration. Contact information is availablefrom the NEAA – or see myprofessional contact details, as provided beneath eBay UK listings.
ET BurdettDear buyers – apologies for the intrusive copyrightlines, but they are there because R. Josef is an extensively published expert with ongoing academic & commercial commissions, includingforthcoming books. Listings often contain original research &information that has not appeared before; several British& Continental eBay sellers have been reported for plagiarizing formatting & texts. We fiercely protect our Intellectual Property rights – andin court, when necessary.
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