Just a metal box I found in a house clearance

[hunter1901]

Hi all,

I was just wondering whether some one could cast their expert eyes over this find.
I have just recently purchased a house where we have clearing some things out and I found this metal box:







any advice apreciated.


Many thanks

Hunter

[waywardangler]

Hmmm, an interesting old box that probably held something equally interesting at one time. The tall rectangular container with the screw top looks like a fuel container. The felt-lined pockets probably held something glass. I am guessing some type of lamp or alcohol burner but need dimensions of everything and what is the word below Osler Calcutta on the metal tag?

[hunter1901]

Hi,

thanks for your reply.

The word underneath Calcutta is Manufacturer.

A quick Google search on Osler Caluctta, bought up results for a chandelier manufacturer whose company was founded in 1807
They used to produce some "magnificent" chandeliers, however ceased trading in 1922.

They had a few showrooms here in the UK and 2 in India one of them being in Calcutta.

Maybe it was a box that held chandelier cleaning equipment.

[waywardangler]

Maybe kerosene chandeliers.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I think this is for cooking. Some type of cooking device. Kerosene is commonly used for cooking in India.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here is a kerosene lamp from India, kerosene is also used there to run fans and lanterns as well as for cooking. Not sure if I'm off track here or what

[waywardangler]

Well this is interesting...http://books.google.com/books?id=e2AoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA456&lpg=PA456&dq=osler+calcutta+box+for+kerosene&source=bl&ots=lesd3kf0AU&sig=4Ps6_IGsoRHTqVU28KGwgsXfw_A&hl=en&ei=0pM5Tp7LBIfHsQKcnfw1&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Page 456 for the Osler ad if the link doesn't go to the right page. Looking at the list, maybe it is a box for a camp lantern?

A nice bit of info on Osler http://fritzfryer.wordpress.com/2011/04/

Some more old Osler ads and catalog pages http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/wiki/F._and_C._Osler

Osler lamps go for quite a bit of money depending on the model. If you can pinpoint what lamp this box was for, a collector may pay BIG dollars to have the original box to go with his lamp. I would contact Fritz Fryer and see if they know. enquiries@fritzfryer.co.uk

[hunter1901]

Guys,

Thanks for the replies.

It looks promising after reading further about the kerosene lamps it might be a box that held parts of a lamp.

I'm going to be contacting the above tomorrow to see if I can get further information from them

[mart]

The felt lined pockets do indeed look like it was used to clean something glass. Cleaner in the metal compartment next to it with the lid !! Just insert and twist and its clean !! Like a lightbulb or something !!

[KC]

Neat find!!!!  

Just scratching my head because the fine pieces are marked F & C Osler and they were renowned for their gasolier (a gas chandelier)!

They also made some glass table service pieces but these are not common.


However, they made the glass furniture for the Maharajahs!!!!!!  Very sought after!
  http://www.artfund.org/artwork/1689/glass-etagere
"During the 19th century, Osler of Birmingham was the leading manufacturer of such large cut-glass objects and furniture which included beds, clocks, cabinets and seating, as well as chandeliers and standing candelabra."

http://www.bornrich.com/entry/cut-crystal-arm-chair-to-match-your-charisma-to-kings/  $39.000

[waywardangler]

KC, you post the most amazing stuff! That chair is over the top!

[Oceans64]

LOVE the chair! What a conversation piece!! The only thing it's missing is a white Persian cat sitting in it pretending it is the Queen of the World while shedding all over the it!!

[wendy177]

KC would need this to go with the chair  http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=1772

[waywardangler]

Definitely looks like it was part of the suite! Now where is the ottoman?

[wendy177]

here you go Wayward http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=5154