Triple Hot Beverage Server?

[valmont325]

I have asked in another forum online but came up short. 

This is an awesome piece. The 3 "Jugs" themselves are acutally 12 1/2 inches tall!(ironstone i believe) They sit in this container which appears to be some sort water bath...or "Au bain marie "  and underneath that there is this stand that contains a Hollow metal rod which pokes out the side. Some sort of heating element?

My question is... Does anyone know anything more about this?  Its so beautiful, and i cant imagine only one of this style was made.   What is the heat source?  Am i correct about this being like a water bath?    Again, any info. Thanks.

[mart]

Looks like one !!  What does the tag say??  Can`t see the pipe !!

[frogpatch]

Are there any markings on the underside of the pitchers? At first I thought it was a syrup warmer until I read how big the pitchers were. It is really nice no matter what it is.  Very decorative eye catcher.

[mart]

My first thought was restaurant warmer for sauces !!  Hollandaise ect !!

[valmont325]

We have it for sale in the store i work at, we have it listed as "Amazing Hot Beverage Server"    But that was our guess.   Attached is a photo of the Heating Element pipe.  But as i said, i would love to know how the heating element works(what hooked up to it)   We have it listed as early 20th century  but could we be wrong?  is it earlier?  And it amazes me i can not find another one online. Seems like something they would have made more then one of.

[gg27]

That fitter looks like it might be a gas fitter, which would make sense in the time right before electricity was available, 

I wondered if it was a hot water heater for a large house, you know the maid would take hot water up for the jug & bowl set in each bedroom?  The hot water jug for those sets was quite small, so the maid would take one of the large jugs of hot water.  I've seen the large copper hot water heaters that sit on the stove, maybe this was the next step?  GG

[frogpatch]

It looks European to me but that is just a hunch.

[mart]

I agree Frogpatch !! French possibly !!  Have you looked at the bottom of the copper pan for a mark ??

[KC]

I do believe it is French...they had milk warmers like this in patisserie/restaurants/hotels to warm it so it wouldn't curdle in the tea or coffee.

Don't believe it is that old...mid early to mid 1900's.  That style of milk warmer/jug is still available!

Is it copper or a steel?  First pic appears copper then the last one of burner appears gray metal.

[bigwull]

That grey metal, is Aluminium...if it was steel..it would take too long to heat up....

[mart]

Its threaded so I think gas !!  I would like to know what metal also after seeing both pics !!  Main part looks copper,,bottom,, aluminum like Bigwull said !!

[bigwull]

Its threaded so I think gas !!  I would like to know what metal also after seeing both pics !!  Main part looks copper,,bottom,, aluminum like Bigwull said !!

A.L.U.M.I.N.I.U.M.....yup..looks better that way....

[gg27]

I think the base is tinplate, not aluminum or aluminium. GG

[bigwull]

I think the base is tinplate, not aluminum or aluminium. GG

That metal has oxidisation...Tinpl ate does,nt oxidise...it rusts...if you look very closely at the rim..you can see corrosion but no rust...If thats Tinplate..I,ll eat ghoppers shorts....just as long as he is,nt in them at the time....

[mart]

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.powerhousemuseum.com/images/zoomify/TLF_mediums/26331.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/%3Firn%3D193644&usg=__jmRtc1CO_-4SRfiple3hmy-MYzg=&h=260&w=197&sz=8&hl=en&start=16&zoom=1&tbnid=FcXazPPnskaPqM:&tbnh=112&tbnw=85&ei=3kBWUbmDEJfG4AOL3oGICQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlarge%2BFrench%2Bcopper%2Bbain%2BMarie%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26biw%3D1600%26bih%3D639%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CEsQrQMwDw

This one is earlier and is only a double !!  Look familiar ??