Infusion Pot
PewtererMade by
Joseph Danforth I
(American, 1758 - 1788)
ConservatorConserved by
Wayne A. Hilt and Phyllis Hilt
(American)
Date1779-1788
MediumCast pewter, brass
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height including lid x width including handle x depth): 5 5/16 x 6 1/4 x 3 7/8in. (13.5 x 15.9 x 9.8cm)
ClassificationsMetalware
Credit LineGift of John C. Parsons
Object number1950.382.0a,b
DescriptionCast pewter infusion pot with a cylindrical body with straight, tapered sides. A cast, C-shaped handle is slush cast and soldered to the body at one side. The handle has a flattened area on top that has three pierced holes. The bottom end of the handle covers a hole that is pierced through the side of the pot. There is tapered molding around the base. Filing marks are visible on the exterior and interior surfaces of the handle. Skimming marks and chatter marks are located on the interior and underside of the pot.
The pot has a flat lid (.b) with a short, cylindrical lip soldered to the underside. A cylindrical chimney with a projecting rim is soldered to the center, over a hole pierced through the lid. To one side, a second hole is pierced through the lid. This corresponds to a U-shaped chamber, also with a pierced hole in the bottom, that is soldered to the underside of the lid. This second hole is covered by a pierced brass flap that pivots on a small brass tack through the top of the lid.
The infusion pot is missing a flexible tube that would attach to the chimney.
Skimming Marks: Skimming marks are concentric rings left on cast pewter objects by skimming tools. Skimming is the process of removing metal and smoothing rough surfaces by scraping the pewter object as it rotates on a lathe.
Chatter Marks: Chatter marks are radial lines extending across skimming marks on a pewter object, caused by vibration of the skimming tool.
NotesUse Note: A person who was ill could ease congestion by inhaling vapors through a tube connected to the chimney at the top of the infusion pot. (The tube is now missing.) (Hudson and Hunt 8/4/2006)The pot has a flat lid (.b) with a short, cylindrical lip soldered to the underside. A cylindrical chimney with a projecting rim is soldered to the center, over a hole pierced through the lid. To one side, a second hole is pierced through the lid. This corresponds to a U-shaped chamber, also with a pierced hole in the bottom, that is soldered to the underside of the lid. This second hole is covered by a pierced brass flap that pivots on a small brass tack through the top of the lid.
The infusion pot is missing a flexible tube that would attach to the chimney.
Skimming Marks: Skimming marks are concentric rings left on cast pewter objects by skimming tools. Skimming is the process of removing metal and smoothing rough surfaces by scraping the pewter object as it rotates on a lathe.
Chatter Marks: Chatter marks are radial lines extending across skimming marks on a pewter object, caused by vibration of the skimming tool.
Status
On view
