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Warming pan
Copper with a turned timber handle, possibly mahogany
Museum number: X2006
Not on display
Curatorial note
This warming pan would have been filled with hot coals from the fire and then put between the sheets by the servants and moved around to warm them just before people got into bed - care being taken not to scorch expensive sheets. This warming avoided the risk of damp sheets and cold beds in bedrooms heated only by coal fires.
Most warming pans are made of wrought iron (resilient enough not to be damaged by the hot coals) with brass lids. They were hung on a hook on the bedroom wall when not in use and, like this one, have lids decorated with pierced work so they were ornamental as well as useful. Sadly, we do not know exactly where this one hung (it has a hook) because such domestic household items are not listed in the inventories of the Museum made around the time of Soane's death.
Most warming pans are made of wrought iron (resilient enough not to be damaged by the hot coals) with brass lids. They were hung on a hook on the bedroom wall when not in use and, like this one, have lids decorated with pierced work so they were ornamental as well as useful. Sadly, we do not know exactly where this one hung (it has a hook) because such domestic household items are not listed in the inventories of the Museum made around the time of Soane's death.
Soane collections online is being continually updated. If you wish to find out more or if you have any further information about this object please contact us: worksofart@soane.org.uk