Brass Spirit Kettle with Stand

Large brass spirit kettle on stand with burner, tap, and original accessories.

History & Background

Spirit kettles on stands — also called samovar-style kettles or tea urns — were luxury items in Victorian and Edwardian households, used to keep water hot at the table for making tea on demand. The spirit burner beneath the kettle used alcohol fuel to maintain temperature. English and Scottish examples were typically made of brass or copper with elaborate engraving and turned wooden handles. A complete set with stand, burner, and all fittings intact is considerably more valuable than a kettle alone. These pieces are dramatic decorative objects and remain functional if the burner mechanism is intact.

• Time Period: Late 19th - Early 20th Century
• Origin: England