SCARCE ENGLISH MID to LATE 19TH CENTURY ANTIQUE RED ENAMEL PAINTED LEATHER FIREFIGHTING WATER BUCKET, with ROYAL COAT of ARMS DECAL featuring SMALL CROWNED LION, UPRIGHT HORSE & LION REELING on HIND
LEGS, with UNFURLED, SCROLLED BANNER & FRENCH LANGUAGE INSCRIPTION, BRASS SIDE HANDLE LOOP FASTENERS & CANVAS LINED INTERIOR (ORIGINAL LEATHER WRAPPED LOOPED TOP BUCKET HANDLE NOW MISSING & TOP of LEATHER BUCKET DISPLAYS EPISODES of
LEATHER & RED ENAMEL PAINT LOSS DUE to REPEATED EXPOSURE to MOISTURE)
(Circa 1875-1900)
Mid to late 19th century English antique decorated, enamel painted leather fire buckets, with semi-transparent transfer decals
DIMENSIONS:
16 ¼" Height x 8" top Width x 9 ½" Width
(including brass side handle knobs)
x 9" Base
Weight: 3 lbs. 8 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
For sale is this mid to late 19th century English antique red painted leather firefighting, handheld water bucket, with semi-transparent transfer decal with lion crest and reeling upright horse and lion on their hind legs, with unfurled, scrolled, banner with inscription in the French language. The leather fire bucket was realized anywhere from 1870 to 1900 and would have been nearly omnipresent features in municipal buildings as well as private residences, where the threat of fire in urban areas, was taken extremely seriously, based upon historical precedent. The deep crimson red enamel paint is original and is first generation paint, with the semi-transparent transfer decal sitting atop the enamel painted surface and itself suffering some minor to moderate loss due to previous repeated handling. Period English leather fire buckets differ from early American fire buckets, in that the base and the upper rim, are lined with reinforcing leather rings, making the body of the bucket stronger and more durable. The original leather pivoting handle is now missing and would have been attached with slots to the protruding brass knobs found on the outside of the bucket's body. The interior of the leather bucket is lined with heavy, coarse canvas, which is torn and somewhat slightly frayed along the top margins. There are no deformities, dents or dings found on the leather body of the fire bucket. 100% Authentic. Original. Real. Very handsome.
CONDITION:
Fair to Good overall antique condition.