Old fireplace charcoal griddle

Antique fireplace charcoal griddle. Curious and original iron griddle, with an opening to introduce the charcoal embers inside. It has a wooden handle and a manual lock. It has a break in one of the sides, as shown in the photo. Signs of rust and signs of age. Ideal for restoration or as a collector’s item. Ideal for restoration or as a collector’s item. A symbol of a time gone by.

The origins of the iron are remote. It is known to have been used by the Chinese in the 4th century to smooth silk. A number of Chinese prints still survive, showing devices which, from their shape, may represent rudimentary irons fitted with a handle and heated by means of embers. The first irons, generally made of solid cast iron, were heated directly on the trivet of the fire, so that it was necessary to have at least two irons to work with one while the other was heating.
Later, hollow metal models, filled with charcoal embers, inaugurated a new stage. This type, like the one on display at the Museum this month, has a triangular base box with a top lid through which hot embers or slag were introduced. They were fitted with a chimney and a flue as if they were a small miniature hearth to control the heat and its duration.