Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden handles

Made:
1881-1910 in England
Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden

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Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Oval copper bed warmer with brass screw cap and two wooden handles, English, 1881-1910

After first opening the screw cap on the top and filling near to the brim with boiling water, this bed warmer would be placed in a bed to heat it up for the patient. This was a common way of warming cold hospital beds before wards were adequately heated. When the patient was ready for bed the warmer was removed. Copper is an ideal material for a bed warmer as it is a good conductor of heat.

Details

Category:
Nursing & Hospital Furnishings
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A200523
Materials:
copper, brass and wood
Measurements:
overall: 56 mm x 616 mm x 325 mm, 4.8kg
type:
bed warmer
credit:
Wellcome Trust (Purchased from Stevens)