In an effort to keep their feet warm, the men of Colonial America developed the practice of bringing their dogs into local churches and meeting houses. They put a blanket around their legs and feet under or over the dog. Both man and dog were happy. One can only imagine the chaos this must have caused, as the practice was generally banned in the early 18th century.
Although nothing can replace man’s best friend, the foot warmer evolved to meet the need for warmth in the winter, as churches and meeting places did not have heating sources until around 1734. The foot warmer was placed underfoot with a blanket by the legacy. It can also be used on the sleigh or in the carriage.
As is the case with most antiquities, design innovations give us important clues to dating. The first foot warmers were wooden boxes. They had a door on the side drilled holes in the wood and a small metal plate inside to hold the coals. Later, perforated tin sides with perforated decorative patterns such as hearts, circles or stars were introduced. Foot warmers were even made for two. They are rare today and tend to sell for more than other items in this collectible category. There was also a combination of flashlight and foot warmers, which would light the way to and from the carriage in “pre-Edison” America. Patents for this innovation were filed in 1854 and 1865.
In the mid-1800s, the foot warmer finds its way into American Victorian homes. Foot warmers intended for domestic use usually have some decorative elements, and were intended to carry hot water or charcoal. They were usually made of stoneware, pewter, or carpeted tin. Pewter foot warmers keep water hot for about three hours, so they can still be used in today’s eco-friendly world.
At a recent auction in California, an 18th century wood burning heater sold for $1,000.00. Since California was settled later than the rest of the country, these early examples are much rarer there. Auction prices typically range from $20.00 to $500.00, which fits most collecting budgets.
The diversity of shapes, materials, innovation and prices make foot warmers a diverse collection field. This isn’t a well-known collectible category, as you might guess, so you can build up a huge collection for some cold cash and still keep your feet warm.
