Hot Water Bottles
The hot water bottles of Victorian times were earthenware with cork stoppers either shaped like jugs or flasks. They were used to heat bedding and might have been held in the lap for warmth, but they weren't much good for cuddling or to lay on sore muscles! After Charles Goodyear created vulcanized rubber in the 1830's that could withstand heat without melting, the rubber hot water bottle was not far behind. A Croatian inventor, Slavoljub Eduard Penkala (1871 - 1922) patented the first hot water bottle.
Containers for warmth in bed were in use as early as the 16th century. Early on, they contained hot coals, but soon after, hot water was used. Containers were made of a variety of materials like zinc, copper, glass, and wood. To prevent burning, metal hot water flasks were wrapped in a soft cloth bag.
Even with heavy drapes covering the mattress, the lack of central heating meant the bed could be a cold, damp place so the bed warmer was a common household item. Used by servants, the bed warmers function was to heat damp beds before the owners of the house retired. Warming pans are round and flat with a long wooden or iron handle. Made of either copper or brass, the pan contained hot coals and was placed between the bed covers. Being thrust into the fire and daily use means warming pans should show signs of wear – many have had their handles replaced and the lid hinges should be well worn. Copper warming pans became popular during the 18th century and were manufactured along with brass pans, well into the reign of Queen Victoria.
You can expect to pay at least £100 for Victorian copper warming pan in good condition.
It was once the custom of a servant to be sent to bed first, in order to personally warm the masters sheets, a pastime less dangerous perhaps than using a bed warmer, for it is clear from a study of early household inventories, that many beds were destroyed by fire. However, for the less fortunate, if it was wintertime and the house was very cold and damp, hot bricks wrapped in brown paper were a crude substitute for a hot water bottle. So next time you snuggle into bed, cuddling your soft bottle with its fluffy cover, smile – it could have been a brick!
