How were they used by the fireplace?

These containers sat in the hearth room to keep solid fuel close at hand without leaving messy coal heaps exposed in the drawing room. The accompanying shovel allowed clean transfer into the grate. Many designs incorporated handles for carrying fuel from an outdoor store directly to the fireplace.

How do I tell Victorian from Edwardian pieces?

Victorian examples often feature heavier timber construction, rich mahogany or walnut grains, and architectural influences such as Gothic Revival or Rococo Revival styling. Edwardian pieces frequently display lighter satinwood or marquetry inlay, reflecting the neoclassical and Art Nouveau tastes of the early twentieth century.

Do they still include the original metal liners?

Many surviving pieces retain their original removable metal liners, which protected the wood from damp coal. Some also preserve their matching metal coal shovels. Liners were made to be lifted out easily for emptying and cleaning away accumulated coal dust.