Antique Brass/Copper Hot Water Bottles

I don't think I've shared this here before, so...here goes!!



This is my humble collection (five things is a collection...right!?) of antique/vintage hot water bottles.

I don't know too much about them, except that the one on the bottom right is almost certainly of modern manufacture (I've seen very similar ones online which are brand new).

Top Left: Antique hot water bottle. Copper. Probably Victorian. Looks rather rough; possibly homemade (?)

Right: Round hot water bottle. Copper. I think this is from the 1910s.

Bottom Left: "Hot Glow" Hot Water Bottle. Research tells me this is from around the 1920s. It was originally plated in nickel, but that's all been stripped off through nearly 100 years of use, leaving the (brass, I think) exposed underneath.

Bottom Middle: Large (Holds nearly 3 litres, or about 5pt of water!) Victorian-era copper 'carriage warmer' for warming your feet during long, cold, wintery rides in a horse-drawn carriage.

Bottom Right: Of antique/vintage style, but I believe of modern manufacture. You can buy ones very similar to this (and also made of brass, as this one is), online right now.

I use all of these in wintertime. I've made cloth cuddle-pouches for them all, and during winter, I pick one, chuck it in a pouch, fill it with boiling water and take it (sometimes two or three!) to bed with me. They're extremely effective - they don't leak - and they last for HOURS!!

And unlike those crappy modern plastic and rubber ones - they won't explode or wear out or leak! Much safer!

 

I had thought about polishing them, but it's really not worth it. It tarnishes so easily anyway that it's just a waste of time. Except the one on the bottom right - I didn't polish that one - it looks like that because of constant rubbing and use!!

 

I gots me trusty weiners (2 Doxies) to keeps me feet and back warm ALL night!!!!! Don't have to re-heat them either!!!!
But they are a "cool" collection!!!!