Expert: Martin G Roberts - 4/19/2005

Question
I am looking for a title and value of an old about 30 inch long narrow solid copper container with lid and what appears to be a trivit with lift handles on each end.  Copper rivets hold the copper handles on each end.  This is an oval container.  Also a large square container made of copper with a divided lid on hinges.  The larger side of the lid lifts with a ring to lift by.  This container would hold at least 20 gal. of water or more.  It has a crimped off pipe (copper ) on the smaller end of the lid.

Answer
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Such things are quite common, but come in many variations. Without seeing them, I cannot be specific about function - they may be cooking pots, parts of stills, water stores, or a hundred other possibilities. Little value unless ancient - and they rarely are; most are late 19th century at oldest.