Percolator
MakerMade by
Manning Bowman Company
American, founded 1849
MakerCeramic components made by
Fraunfelter China Company
American, 1923 - 1939
Dateabout 1933
MediumCoffee percolator .1a: Cast porcelain with an opaque green glaze, various metals, and chrome.
Lid .1b: Cast porcelain with an opaque green glaze.
Percolator lid, basket and rod .1c-d: Aluminum.
Cord .1f: Rubber, plastic, wire, metal.
DimensionsComponent (percolator height x width): 12 1/2 x 9 1/2in. (31.8 x 24.1cm)
ClassificationsCeramics
Credit LineMuseum purchase
DescriptionPorcelain and metal electric coffee percolator, that consists of seven parts: porcelain coffeepot .1a, porcelain lid .1b, aluminum percolator lid .1c, aluminum percolator basket .1d, aluminum percolator rod .1e, and cord .1f; the coffee percolator also comes with matching porcelain coffee cups and saucers (.2a,b-.7a,b). The style of the electric coffee percolator reflects the Art Deco and streamlined styles popular during the 1920s and 1930s. The ceramic parts of the coffeepot are made of white porcelain with portions decorated with an opaque lime green glaze. The body of the coffeepot (.1a) is shaped like an urn, with a spout opposite the handle. The rim and sides of the coffeepot are green, and the sides of the coffeepot are lightly ribbed. The coffeepot has a matching, ribbed lid (.1b) that is green in the center, with a small oval finial. Two notches along the underside of the lid's rim keep the lid from falling off while resting on the coffeepot. Inside the coffeepot are three aluminum components: a perforated basket to hold coffee grounds (.1d); a perforated lid for the basket (.1c); and a hollow rod (.1e) that suspends the basket at the top of the coffeepot and connects it to the metal elements at the bottom of the coffeepot. The coffeepot itself rests on a metal base that contains electrical and heating elements to power the percolator inside the coffeepot. The prongs for the plug extend outward from the base of the coffeepot, below the handle, and the set comes with a detachable, black, thirty-six-inch cord (.1f). A small area of rust has developed on the metal plate attached to the underside of the coffeepot.
Object number1996.102.7.1a-f
MarkingsCoffee pot (.1a): stamped in metal plate on the base of the coffeepot, "MANNING-BOWMAN & CO./ MERIDEN, CONN. U.S.A./ VOLTS/ 116/ CATL. NO./ K366/ 7/ WATTS/ 400/ SERIAL NO./ 5-33/ DO-NOT-DIP-IN-WATER/ TO REPLACE FUSE/ REMOVE SCREWS/ LIFT OUT CENTER PIECE/ TAKE OUT BURNT FUSE/ PUT NEW FUSE IN/ REPLACE CENTER PIECE/ TIGHTEN SCREWS WITH SCREW DRIVER".Percolating rod (.1e): "PATENT/ 1423475" stamped into ring around the rod.
Cord (.1f): "5A 250V/ 10A 125V" stamped twice onto the end of the cord that plugs into the coffeepot, and "E I W" are in raised letters on the end of the cord that plugs into the wall. A blue paper label wrapped around the cord reads, "EASTERN INSULATED WIRE/ BR-3321/ UNDERWRITERS'/ LAB., INC./ LISTED/ CORD SET/ EASTERN INSULATED".NotesHistorical Note: This specific ceramic and metal electric coffee percolator set was not advertised in Manning Bowman & Co. materials in the Connecticut Historical Society library. However, similar all-metal items, such as a single percolator or coffee services consisting of an urn, creamer, sugar, and tray, were advertised. Percolators came in three different sizes, to accomodate four, six, or nine cups of coffee. In 1937 Manning, Bowman & Co. advertising materials, metal percolators sold for $5.95 - $9.95, and metal coffee services sold for $15.95 - $34.95. (Hunt 11/30/2004)
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