Arts & Crafts Hand Beaten Pewter Spirit Kettle. Early 20th Century.
An antique metal spirit kettle with a unique Arts and Crafts design, made of pewter with a hammered finish. It is complete with kettle, stand and burner.
The kettle body is shaped like an elongated oval, tapering toward the top. An unusual and striking circular handle is attached at the top, with punched holes along each side for decoration or weight reductionthis gives it an almost aeronautical feel. It has a long, narrow, angled spout for pouring. The conical lid has a small wooden finial to the top, probably for insulation when lifting.
The kettle rests on a raised base with three matching pierced metal supports connecting the body to a tray-like bottom platform. To the centre of the tray is the original burner. This is numbered to the bottom with a maker's stamp. It appears to be unused.
Condition : In overall good antique condition displaying some patina and signs of wear. There is a single small dent to the stand rim. Kindly view images above to assess.
The Arts and Crafts Movement was a design and social movement that began in Britain during the mid-19th century and later spread across Europe and North America. It arose as a reaction against the industrialization and mass production that had begun to dominate society, leading to a decline in craftsmanship and the aesthetic quality of everyday objects. Influenced by the writings of John Ruskin and led by figures such as William Morris, the movement emphasized the value of handmade work, traditional craftsmanship, and the integration of art into daily life.
At its core, the movement championed simplicity, functionality, and a deep appreciation for natural materials and forms. Designs were often inspired by medieval, folk, and nature motifs, and celebrated visible craftsmanship and honest construction. Unlike the ornate and mass-produced goods of the Victorian era, Arts and Crafts pieces were meant to be both beautiful and useful, with a strong focus on quality over quantity.
The movement had a significant influence on architecture, furniture, textiles, ceramics, and metalwork, and helped pave the way for later styles such as Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and Modernism. In the United States, it inspired the Craftsman style and had a major impact on designers like Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright. Although the movement declined by the 1920s, its idealsparticularly the value of skilled labor, ethical production, and thoughtful designcontinue to resonate in todays craft and design communities.
Height (stand and kettle) : 32cm
Diameter (stand base) : 21.5cm
