Wall mounted Copper Watering Can

Can't find a can like this online. Making me wondering whether it's for another purpose or if it's just rare. I didn't take very good photos

 

Looks like something that would make an awesome mail box for a gardener! With the handle amidships, it would make a terrible watering device.

 

Antique Copper Boat Kettle Unusual copper kettle that was made for a ship or boat. The flat back sits against a wall to prevent moving and tipping.

but that's Pinterst ...so the ' antique '...could be antique STYLE...

 

...this one looks more antique.....

and this looks like yours.....but barely copper colored with your high sheen....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-CO...373752?hash=item3f85d69af8:g:AskAAOSw8a1ZqFuk

 

Found a closed listing for similar on ebay, described as possibly a tea kettle for a canal longboat. Engraved "Joy ?......and Co , BRIGHTON in a circle with 2 in the centre" However, that was just the seller's guess. at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/rare-vin...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

I like this idea. The flat back looks to me more like it's for compact storage than for stability. Longboat, caravan/house trailer, etc.

 

How could we possibly guess the purpose from one picture and no dimensions? What’s the white residue in the spout? Musta been a dispenser for Elmer’s glue or sumpin’. What’s it look like inside?

 

You lucky fellow, never having hard water.
That could be the lime buildup you get when you boil hard water.

 

I think
For ink
But can’t find
A link

 

Reasoning I think for ink might make sense is that you can find somewhat similar copper ink pouring cans with similar spouts but in different geometric shapes and no flat back. I’m guessing that operator had to pour ink from the can into a trough at the back of the press, and only had access from the front into a confined area. Use couldn’t see over the top, too tight, but he was expected to pour ink all along in a narrow trough at the very back, along a flat vertical “wall.” So with the flat back of the can, he could ensure the ink got into the trough by sliding the can flat along the wall.

 

As INH observed, with his right hand. Wonder if they made a version for lefties?

 

Another thought. The spout coming off at the bottom of the pot reminds me of a fat separator (the grease floats to the top, and the juices settle at the bottom). The opening at the top is larger than would be needed for filling with water, but would make it easier to pour the contents of a frying pan into it and to clean the fat out. Perhaps it sat at the back of the stove, or in a rack nearby.

 

“Back then” whenever then was, people were cheap and plentiful, foreman could just pick all righties for inkers, much simpler than having two kinds of ink pitchers. But the motion required for the task looks simple enough for righty me to do left-handed if necessary, I can twist my outstretched left arm so fist axis is about 70 degrees left of vertical, and as old and creaky as my body is, a much younger person may well have more dexterity than that.