Rare Antique Aesthetic Movement William Soutter & Sons Brass Spirit Kettle 1886

William Soutter & Sons Co., (Soutterware), were founded in Birmingham in the early 1870’s. They were originally brass founders and plumbers, brassware, known for their high quality copper and brass holloware. The company produced a wide range of spirit kettles have been made bearing the Soutter mark on the base of the kettle or on the burner. This example has a Soutter mark that is an early format of the company logo with a 'B' below the entwined initials with the '&' (ampersand) in-line with the initials rather than dropped. The base of the kettle also has the Registered Design number 60781, dating the spirit kettle to 1886.

This is a rare example of a spirit kettle by Soutter’s influenced by both the Aesthetic Movement and the Art Nouveau Movement. I can not find another of this style.

The kettle is superbly styled and appears to have a strong Christopher Dresser influence. The kettle is almost a tear drop shape when viewed from above, the body sleekly forming the spout at the point. The body has a generous curved shape descending from the flat top, and is supported by three curved feet. The turned wooden handle is held by the slim stylised S-shaped supports. The lid has a turned ebony finial. There are some very minor dings to the kettle and one foot is a little too curved.

The stand appears to be more aligned to Art Nouveau design and I have found this style with other Soutter spirit kettles so I believe is original and works well with the kettle. The stand has those wonderful whiplash curves synonymous with Art Nouveau pieces. One of the four feet is slightly out of line so is off the ground.

The stand retains the original two-part spirit burner. The base is a small round pot with a large central mesh covered hole, this is where the flame would burn to keep the kettle warm, it is surrounded by small holes that allows the spirit burner to breath and burn efficiently. The burner has a lift-off lid with a central hinged lid that can be operated by the turned wood handle allowing the user to easily extinguish the flame.

Assembled, the spirit kettle measures approx. 32cm by 21cm by 20cm.

The spirit kettle is being offered in good antique condition.

A superbly stylish and rare spirit kettle.

Please see pictures for more details.

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