Today, I’m pleased to offer an authentic brass-clad coal bin, dating from the early 1900s, featuring Dutch quayside scenes.
The measurements of this piece are; 37cm from floor to lid, 51cm from side to side, and 36cm from front to back.
These pieces are becoming rarer, as they are highly sought after. More and more South Africans are installing fireplaces in their existing homes, or designing them into new homes, and actively seeking vintage fireside pieces to complement these features.
On this particular piece, the hinged lid and front are embossed in high relief with quayside scenes from Holland, framed by a continuous leaf and vine pattern.
The lid panel focuses around a group of centrally placed female figures; an old lady, seated (and puffing on a pipe!), flanked by two little Dutch girls, wearing traditional caps and clogs. The background detail includes the full sweep of the cobble-stoned quayside, bollards, a basket, a rowing boat, church steeple, windmills and houses.
The front panel focuses around a group of centrally placed male figures; an old Dutch seaman, standing (once again with a pipe) addressing two young Dutch boys, in traditional period dress. The background detail is substantially the same as on the lid panel, with an extra rowing boat and the basket replaced with a barrel.
The sides of the coal bin are also brass clad, with panels featuring a fairly plain but certainly not unattractive cross-hatch or checkerboard pattern.
The underlying wooden box structure and steel hinges are in sound condition. The check chain is still in place, but is detached from the lid.
As could be reasonably expected given the age of this piece, and the tendency of brass towards brittleness, there are some minor splits and cracks in the decorative panels.
At some point, some of the original brass pins securing the cladding to the wooden box must have been lost. These have been replaced with steel, by a former owner. This is scarcely noticeable, but I mention it for the sake of accuracy.
Something heavy must have been stored on top of the box for a long period of time, as this has flattened out some of the high relief detail on the female figures, but most of the panel features are unaffected.
When I first acquired this piece, it had obviously been neglected for years, if not decades. Some 6 – 7 hours of hand-polishing have restored the distinctive buttery sheen of old brass. It will be straightforward for the new owner to keep it in this condition, or allow it to patina down to a more aged look.
Please email me if you have any questions about the piece - I have more pictures of the bin from all sides, and can email these through on request - otherwise, happy bidding and good luck.
