Purifier, Middlings
Description
Large, light brown/beige stoneware charcoal water filter with two side handles and a tap hole near the base. Manufacturer's name and place of production are stamped into embossed plaque forms that are vertically centred on the main body with the Royal seal at centre. The stoneware is decorated with the Roman key pattern. The interior has a rounded ridge running vertically down the spine of the vessel. A disc with a raised central area and hole at centre is found one third of the way down the vessel. Through the hole, another disc with numerous holes can be seen.
Object detail
Rainwater, collected from roofs into barrels, was the usual domestic water supply before towns built water systems. Water could be filtered through charcoal to make it safe to drink by removing dead things, bacteria, algae, insects and other bits and pieces.
Purchased as part of the Mr P.N. Johnson Collection.
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