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.

Antique Art Nouveau Brass Coal Scuttle Box with Lid & Liner Circa 1895-1910

1900 - 1920

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Antique Art Nouveau Brass Coal Scuttle Box with Lid & Liner Circa 1895-1910

From Quality Antiques and Vintage

£495

FOR SALE

fireplaces

1900 - 1920

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Arts and Crafts Oak Purdonium

From Coast Antiques

£295

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Arts and Craft Copper Coal Helmet Coal Scuttle

19th century

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Arts and Craft Copper Coal Helmet Coal Scuttle

From Spinka & Co

£520

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Victorian Gothic Revival Coal Scuttle Christopher Dresser

19th century

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Victorian Gothic Revival Coal Scuttle Christopher Dresser

From Antique Furniture Direct

£195

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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Victorian Mahogany Coal Scuttle

From Antique Furniture Direct

£100

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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Antique Fireside Coal Bucket, English, Brass, Fireplace Scuttle, Keeper, Regency

From London Fine Antiques

£725

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Antique Hand Finished Coal Scuttle, English, Copper, Brass, Fireside, Victorian

19th century

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Antique Hand Finished Coal Scuttle, English, Copper, Brass, Fireside, Victorian

From London Fine Antiques

£825

FOR SALE

fireplaces

1900 - 1920

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Unusual Antique Tole Ware Coal Scuttle

From John Howkins Antiques

£225

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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Coal Bucket.

From A and B Antiques

£225

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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Pair of Copper Coal Scuttles C.1880

From Collinge Antiques

£395

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Most scuttles on Sellingantiques are simply described as English. Scottish and French ones turn up once or twice - a Scottish walnut purdonium, a pair of French cast iron scuttles.

Quality Antique George III Copper Coal Scuttle

19th century

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Quality Antique George III Copper Coal Scuttle

From Unique Antiques by Emma Jade

£445

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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English Coal Box

From Michael Holt Antiques

£1,650

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Antique Victorian Quality Brass Coal Scuttle with Original Brass Shovel

19th century

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Antique Victorian Quality Brass Coal Scuttle with Original Brass Shovel

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£295

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

19th century

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Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£425

FOR SALE

fireplaces

Antique Victorian Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

19th century

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Antique Victorian Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

From Rebecca Sarah Antiques

£395

FOR SALE

fireplaces

19th century

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Superb Victorian Brass Coal Bin

From Fernyhough Antiques Ltd

£895

FOR SALE

fireplaces

← 1 2 3 4 5 ... 8 →

Antique Scuttles

Antique Art Nouveau Brass Coal Scuttle Box with Lid & Liner Circa 1895-1910

Arts and Crafts Oak Purdonium

Arts and Craft Copper Coal Helmet Coal Scuttle

Victorian Gothic Revival Coal Scuttle Christopher Dresser

Victorian Mahogany Coal Scuttle

Antique Fireside Coal Bucket, English, Brass, Fireplace Scuttle, Keeper, Regency

Antique Hand Finished Coal Scuttle, English, Copper, Brass, Fireside, Victorian

Unusual Antique Tole Ware Coal Scuttle

Coal Bucket.

Pair of Copper Coal Scuttles C.1880

Quality Antique George III Copper Coal Scuttle

English Coal Box

Antique Victorian Quality Brass Coal Scuttle with Original Brass Shovel

Antique George III Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

Antique Victorian Copper Helmet Coal Scuttle

Superb Victorian Brass Coal Bin

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