Market Lavington Museum has one of these wonderful nursery aids which probably dates from the early twentieth century.
The information below comes from the Science Museum website.
‘Pyramid’ food warmer invented by Samuel Clarke, England, 1888-1920
This device could be used to heat a pint of milk, keep food warm or to prepare pap. Flour or bread was mixed with milk diluted with water to make pap, which could be used to wean infants off breast milk. The metal jug was filled with hot water and the ceramic pannikin was placed inside it. The jug was then placed in the stand. To provide heat a lit candle or a tea-light was placed underneath. The device was trade marked by Samuel Clarke as a ‘Pyramid’ food warmer as the different parts stack up like a pyramid.
Here is the device.
Sadly, the lid has needed repair but we can still see the warning messages about the dangers of fire and to health.
The food warmer was used as a nursery item and users were warned that the milk should be boiled before being used in the warmer. Apart from anything else, boiling helped to avoid the dread disease known as consumption which we call tuberculosis. This was a real concern before the days of pasteurised milk.
But for the child in the nursery that probably was not so important. Perhaps they liked the tongue twister type rhyme on the warmer.
When nights are dark then think of Clarke
Who’s hit the mark precisely
For his night-lights create light-nights
In which you see quite nicely.
Even the tray for the night light has been given decoration, although in use and with a night light on it, this would not be seen.
Tags: Easterton, Fiddington, heat, light, Market Lavington, Museum
November 7, 2011 at 10:50 pm |
I have one of these!! I thought it was a lamp! no lid though but the base is in perfect order – thanks for answering my interest in what it was for. Adrian ademail.ade@gmail.com
November 15, 2011 at 11:30 am |
We too have one but the lid is in better condition than the photo We don’t have the metal base however. robertellis1948@gmail.com
April 14, 2012 at 11:22 pm |
Very few people know very much about Clarke’s Food Warmer and Pannikin. The following link will explain what it is and when it was patented in the US. However, the original design was introduced in 1855.
January 19, 2015 at 7:09 pm |
I have one with no damage but there is a fluted glass with a hole at the top that we thought goes over the saucer and shields the night light. It fits perfectly. Do you think this is from something else. It seems ideal for protecting the candle from draughts or protecting the child. Would be interested in your comment.
January 19, 2015 at 7:34 pm |
Hi Pauline. If you look at this link – http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/Temp/Clarke_Pannikin_Part_I.pdf supplied by another correspondent, it shows devices like you describe. Which suggests ours at Market Lavington Museum is incomplete.
Yours may well be the full works.
Rog
Curator
January 19, 2015 at 8:03 pm |
Pauline, link provided in Rog’s post shows exactly what the food warmer looks like when complete. I would, however, like to see the fluted glass you spoke of. Perhaps I can help to identify it for you.
Jim
July 18, 2015 at 7:37 am |
got the small dish bit and the warmer but no lid or any metal bits its a unusual thing with a good talking point but are they worth any thing these days
July 18, 2015 at 9:53 am |
I’m afraid that’s not a question we bother with at our museum. The value to us is in the link to our parish.
Have you tried seeing if any are sold on Ebay. That’d give you an idea of cash value.
Rog
Curator
July 18, 2015 at 6:57 pm |
thanks will have a look but as its rare i think there will be no chance of finding one still it is an interesting thing and a good talking point