Relics of the American West: 1850-1920 - ONLINE ONLY
Lot 2322:
Description
This is a remarkable find for any serious collector of frontier history: a hand-hammered copper trade kettle bearing the iconic HBC (Hudson’s Bay Company) stamp near the rim. This piece represents the “Made for the Trade” era of the 18th and early 19th centuries, where such vessels were manufactured in England—often in the Birmingham or Bristol copper works—and shipped to North American posts like York Factory to be exchanged for beaver pelts. The kettle features a rugged, hand-forged iron bail handle secured by heavy copper rivets, a design specifically engineered to endure the rigors of canoe travel and open-fire cooking in the Canadian wilderness. The distinctive “orange-peel” texture on the underside is a hallmark of the hand-raising process used by period coppersmiths. Regarding its condition, the kettle shows an authentic, deep aged patina with heavy oxidation (verdigris), surface pitting, and significant soot buildup on the base consistent with historical use; however, the copper remains remarkably solid with no holes through the base, and the iron handle is securely attached. H 12.5″, W 17.25″, D 17.25″. Please see photos.
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