Bed warmers were in generally widespread use up to the first part of 20th century. When homes were heated by hearth or wood stove, these practical items were a means of adding comfort to the chilly surroundings. Heated over a fire (in the case of water-filled warmers) or filled with glowing embers (in the case of flip-top bed warmers) they warmed beds in rooms that were usually unheated. The water-filled models were also used in carriages to keep feet warm and cozy, under lap robes in the winter months.
Because these were created to be used, there are always a few dings in the surface of these items, which only add character. Usually made with brass fittings and an inner stopper to prevent leaks, the older models were seldom marked with any manufacturer’s sign. The color of the copper is usually even with an aged patina on older pieces.
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Bed warmers usually are crafted of copper with long, wooden handles to allow the pan to be placed under bed covers to the foot of the bed. The water-filled models were little more than filled lumps that were placed wherever heating was required, such as in chilly parlors or open coaches.
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