Graniteware coffee pot, ca. 1890

Iron, porcelain enamel

Porcelain enamelwares were exhibited at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876 and were recognized as a major improvement in the practicality and beauty of kitchenwares. Far lighter than cast iron, graniteware was unaffected by acidic foods and was easy to clean. Early pieces have a glassy, gray-mottled surface that, unfortunately, was easy to chip. Large pots like this one were sometimes called coffee boilers but could also serve to boil water for the many cleaning, bathing, and washing chores that a family faced before water heaters were available.

Illinois State Museum purchase (1992.37)

Food Preparation | metal

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96