Featured Unidentified antique can anyone help?

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by andreas, Apr 19, 2017.

  1. andreas

    andreas New Member

    I have an item that i have been struggling to find any information about and was wondering if anyone knows something about it or if you know someone who would.
    I really hope someone can help as i have found very little info so far. I belie it to be a one of a kind spode butter churn that would have been one of the first mechanical kitchen appliances and possibly custom made for nobility.

    It has a wheel on top that looks like it would have been connected to a belt that would drive the churn. the only marking it the crest with 'W & P Steele 61 London' but cant even find this company in any historical files.

    Hope there is someone who can help.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. rhiwfield

    rhiwfield Well-Known Member

    W & P Steele successors, David Foulis, were at 61 George St Edinburgh in 1869

    Steele listed as ironmongers in 1833-34 Edinburgh directory

    See this listing on Ebay

    Looks like there was a Royal link
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2017
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  3. andreas

    andreas New Member

    yes i was told by one specialist who was very interested in it and he told me it was probably made for nobility and possibly royalty. the design is Italian i think and was used to make butter or cheese.
     
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  4. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Hi and WELCOME, Andreas!! PLEASE, when loading your images, the very top one says "ALL IMAGES - FULL SIZE"......click THAT one, once they're loaded small, and then they will all appear LARGE!!! Thanks!!! MUCH EASIER on older eyes!!! Images should be NO LARGER than 1 MB.....480 x 640 is a good general size.
     
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  5. afantiques

    afantiques Well-Known Member

    An unusual item and I have never seen one, but I wonder about the power source before electric motors. To have a belt drive from some other hand cranked source seems too complicated when a crank attached to the top would be simple.

    On a practical note it would need to be fastened down if it had a belt drive.

    [​IMG]
     
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  6. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    I'm betting the system has decided to show that on the Equator...
    ;)
     
  7. KingofThings

    KingofThings 'Illiteracy is a terrible thing to waist' - MHH

    Welcome!
    Please do as Aquitaine asks with photos and always do so. :)
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2017
  8. George Nesmith

    George Nesmith Well-Known Member

    Also please indicate glass or pottery in the title. It helps to get the right eyeballs.
     
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  9. Bdigger

    Bdigger Well-Known Member

    While passing through an Amish area we stopped at an amish farm having a yard sale. There they had a horse on a treadmill walking to turn the ice cream maker using a similar belt drive hookup.

     
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  10. janetpjohn

    janetpjohn Well-Known Member

    It reminds me of the Dazey churns, but if there was a hand crank, it's missing.
     
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  11. andreas

    andreas New Member

    Just Confirmed with Mr. William Hunt from the Royal Collage of Arms that the maker’s mark is of W & P Steele of 61 George Street, Edinburgh, who are described as ‘tinplate workers to the Queen’ and that this item may possibly have a Royal connection. You were absolutely correct rhiwfield, nice one.

    The Blue & White museum confirmed its a rare Italian design and asked if i would donate it.

    Now i just need to figure out what its worth and see if i should sell it. Anyone want to have a go at guessing what its value is???
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2017
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  12. dgbjwc

    dgbjwc Well-Known Member

    I would run it past an auction house in London to see if they are interested and/or could provide an estimate.
    Don
     
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