A purdonium is a lidded coal box, usually wooden, fitted with a removable metal liner and its own shovel. The spelling perdonium appears too, and both turn up in listings. It was a 19th-century refinement on the open scuttle, made to keep coal dust off the hearthrug. Oak and mahogany are the common timbers, with walnut and rosewood on the more decorated examples.

Why are so many called helmet scuttles?

The helmet is a deep vessel with a rising lip and a pouring spout, shaped like an upturned helmet. It's named in about a fifth of listings, which makes it the single most repeated form. Both brass and copper versions come up in similar numbers. Paw feet and swing handles are recurring details, and a shovel is sometimes included.

How old are most examples?

The dated field runs from 1800 to 1930. Victorian is by far the largest label, with the 1880s the busiest decade, followed by the 1900s and 1890s. A large number carry no closer date than 19th century, so a good part of the category is placed only within a hundred-year span. The earliest group is George III copper and brass helmets dated to 1800.

Are wooden coal boxes common?

Yes. Boxes and purdoniums together make up roughly a fifth to a quarter of the category, in oak, mahogany, walnut and rosewood. Most are described with a liner and shovel. A few go further, as freestanding cabinets, one on wheels, and one inlaid rosewood example that changes configuration in use.

Do scuttles come with their shovels?

Often enough that dealers flag it in the title. A shovel is named in a quarter or so of listings, sometimes as the original shovel, and a liner is named in a smaller number. A handful go further still, arriving with a full companion set of fireside tools or with a pair of fire dogs.

Which materials other than brass and copper turn up?

Painted toleware, japanned steel and cast iron all appear, though in small numbers against the brass and copper that dominate. One pair of French cast iron scuttles has come through, and a toleware purdonium modelled as a nautilus shell. Silver-plated mounts show up on a couple of oak pieces.

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Antique Scuttles

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A coal scuttle is the fireside container that held a day's fuel beside the hearth, in polished brass or copper, or as a lidded wooden box with its own liner and shovel.

Victorian Mahogany and Brass Purdonium Coal Box with Shovel and Liner

19th century

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Victorian Mahogany and Brass Purdonium Coal Box with Shovel and Liner

From Y Not Antiques

£145

FOR SALE

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19th century

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19th Century Victorian Brass Coal Scuttle

From Debenham Antiques Ltd

£550

FOR SALE

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Antique Edwardian Freestanding Quality Rosewood Inlaid Coal Cabinet

1900 - 1920

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Antique Edwardian Freestanding Quality Rosewood Inlaid Coal Cabinet

From London City Antiques

£845

FOR SALE

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Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

19th century

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Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£425

FOR SALE

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19th century

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Copper Coal Scuttle

From Shackladys Antiques

£545

FOR SALE

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Quality Antique Victorian Copper Coal Scuttle and Shovel

19th century

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Quality Antique Victorian Copper Coal Scuttle and Shovel

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£485

FOR SALE

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19th century

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Victorian Copper Coal Helmet

From Affordable Old Furniture

£150

FOR SALE

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19th century

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Late Victorian Oak Coal Scuttle

From Church Street Antiques & Interiors

£495

FOR SALE

fireplaces

1900 - 1920

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Antique Inlaid Coal Box

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£450

FOR SALE

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1900 - 1920

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Art Nouveau Brass Coal Box

From Affordable Old Furniture

£250

FOR SALE

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Among the one-offs to pass through: a toleware purdonium modelled as a nautilus shell, a purdonium on wheels, and a miniature scuttle turned tea caddy, dated 1889.

Arts & Crafts Copper and Wrought Iron Coal Receiver

1900 - 1920

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Arts & Crafts Copper and Wrought Iron Coal Receiver

From Church Street Antiques & Interiors

£780

FOR SALE

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1900 - 1920

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An Art Nouveau Fireside Container

From W.J. Gravener Antiques Ltd.

£575

FOR SALE

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Antique Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Fireside Coal Purdonium Cabinet Scuttle Box

1900 - 1920

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Antique Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Fireside Coal Purdonium Cabinet Scuttle Box

From Lincoln Restorations

£625

FOR SALE

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Antique Coal Purdonium, English, Walnut, Brass, Fireside Fuel Keep, Victorian

19th century

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Antique Coal Purdonium, English, Walnut, Brass, Fireside Fuel Keep, Victorian

From London Fine Antiques

£585

FOR SALE

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19th century

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Late Victorian Brass Coal Helmet

From Church Street Antiques & Interiors

£650

FOR SALE

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19th century

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Victorian Oak and Brass Coal Hod

From Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

£595

FOR SALE

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Antique Scuttles

Victorian Mahogany and Brass Purdonium Coal Box with Shovel and Liner

19th Century Victorian Brass Coal Scuttle

Antique Edwardian Freestanding Quality Rosewood Inlaid Coal Cabinet

Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

Copper Coal Scuttle

Quality Antique Victorian Copper Coal Scuttle and Shovel

Victorian Copper Coal Helmet

Late Victorian Oak Coal Scuttle

Antique Inlaid Coal Box

Art Nouveau Brass Coal Box

Arts & Crafts Copper and Wrought Iron Coal Receiver

An Art Nouveau Fireside Container

Antique Edwardian Mahogany Inlaid Fireside Coal Purdonium Cabinet Scuttle Box

Antique Coal Purdonium, English, Walnut, Brass, Fireside Fuel Keep, Victorian

Late Victorian Brass Coal Helmet

Victorian Oak and Brass Coal Hod

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