Ewer - Tin - kraankan

Large tin-spouted coffee/coffee pot / Dröppelminna (3½ Maß) on wooden ball feet - Tin - Northwest Germany / Westphalia - 2nd half of the 18th century

Specifications
Spouted coffee can / Coffee pot / Dröppelminna
Material: Cast tin, brass (spout cone) and turned hard wood
Dating: 2nd half of the 18th century (ca. 1760–1790)

Provenance: Northwest Germany (Westphalia / Bergisches Land) or neighboring East Netherlands

Content mark: Impressed '3 ½ M' (3½ Maß) on the bottom of the reservoir
Height: 46.5 cm
Weight: 2551 grams

Description: Impressive and heavily crafted tin spouted coffee can (Dröppelminna or Kranenkanne) from the second half of the 18th century. The object features a nicely proportioned baluster- or pear-shaped reservoir on three elegant, cast Cabriole legs. These rest on the original turned wooden ball feet, which served to insulate against the heat of the table surface. At the front is the tin spout with a decoratively worked spout key in Rococo/Rocaille style and brass seal. At the back is a sturdy, cast S-shaped handle with a thumb rest. The tall, domed lid is crowned with a matching turned wooden baluster knob with a tin tip.

On the underside of the body there is a clearly impressed content mark: 3 ½ M
This model—with one single rear handle and three legs—is the classic design for the Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bergisches Land region, which was also cherished along historical trade routes in the Dutch border area.

Condition:
In a beautiful, authentic antique state with signs of age and use consistent with dating. The tin shows an attractive patina with slight superficial irregularities and minor signs of aging. The wooden components (the lid knob and the three spacers) are complete and authentically preserved, which is rare for utilitarian objects from this period. No major dents or cracks; the spout key is intact. See the photos for an accurate impression of the overall condition; they form an integral part of the description.