Mid/Late 19th Century Cramp Seam Hand-Hammered Copper Pail Planter/Jardinière Hand Forged Iron Handle

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This lovely to look at vessel is perfectly sized to serve as a cachepot or jardinière, in or out of … Read more This lovely to look at vessel is perfectly sized to serve as a cachepot or jardinière, in or out of doors. It is water tight but would not recommend using it to store liquid that is for human consumption, as it is handcrafted from solid copper so the tendency for copper to leach into the liquid is highly probable. I have used it as a décor accent and semi-polished it on occasion, as you see it in the photos. You could polish it to reveal a gleaming copper finish but why would you? FYI, the hand forged iron swing handle does not extend all the way down, by design. The side round flaps which the handles are inserted into are handcrafted from zinc, while the rivets are also made of copper. There are three cramp seams (mistakenly but often called a dovetail seam), one on the underside to join the bottom to the top (see photo 10). Another is beneath the neck to join the top to the bottom. The third is on one side to seal the vessel (see photo 7). Cramp seams are the zig-zag lines running around the base and up the sides of any antique copper vessel or pot. These are the line marks where the coppersmith joined pieces of copper together to form the vessel, something like how a dressmaker sews pieces of cloth together to make a dress. After the copper layers are cramped, molten brass is dripped on the cracks and smoothed over like caulk to help seal up and strengthen the seam, a process called brazing. Like a good tailor, a skilled coppersmith makes nice flat seams that are tight and strong, seams that can survive for centuries. The era of cramp seams ended when welding became economical enough for the chaudronneries to invest in the new equipment. The principles of welding were discovered during the early 19th century but it remained an experimental technique until the turn of the 20th century. So speculatively, this beauty was made sometime during the mid to late 19th century. Its profile and crimped lip are indicative of a French vessel rather than English; unknown maker. Please keep in mind that due to its handcrafted nature and age, dimensions may differ a little from side-to-side, top to bottom. Also, the handle does not necessarily stand up on its own unless you finagle it a little. It measures 8½” high with handle down (15” high with handle up). Width 9” x 9½” depth; interior 8¼” x 9” x 9” H/W/D; weight 2 lbs. 13 oz. In excellent condition with age-appropriate wear that is to be expected for a vessel that is over 100 years old. There is one dimple (see photos 4 & 8) that does not affect its utility or beauty. For a collector of French copper vessels this beauty should be a must have or the perfect gift for someone who is!

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