19th Century English Earthenware Water Dispenser for Charcoal Filter

Price: $1,480

19th Century English Earthenware Water Dispenser for Charcoal Filter is a marvelous example of the "there's nothing really new" axiom!  Altendorf & Wright of Birmingham, England created this counter-top water filtration device long before Brita or Pur or any of those other household names...  The attractive sandstone vessel was cast with an embellished brand name, the Royal Crest, cornucopias, and two labels that noted its "advanced" features ~ that it used charcoal filters and was cleanable for re-use.  Convenient shell-shaped handles were included in the casting.  White painted embellishments contrast nicely with the sand-colored glaze the has preserved it so well for over a century.  The fairly straightforward gravity-fed device is eerily similar to the ubiquitous kitchen water filter pitchers like Zero brand and the like, but of course much more stout, including the bronze spigot that inserted at the bottom with a cork gasket for easy removal for cleaning purposes.  What a wonderful conversation starter!
Circa 1890s
Measures 23H x 13.5 in diameter