17th c. Queen Anne Period, Bed Warmer, & Plague Pan, Brass and Wood

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Queen Anne brass bed warmer from the 1600s.

We've never had a bed warmer this old before in our possession. This is a true relic and rare collectible piece.

A bed warmer or warming pan was a common household item in countries with cold winters, especially in Europe. The pan would be filled with embers and placed under the covers of a bed, to warm it up or dry it out before use. Besides the risk of fire, it was recognized that the fumes from the embers were noxious; although during the great plagues of Europe, these devices were used with fresh scented spruce or other fragrances, embers added, and the fumes were thought to eliminate the infectious odors of sick rooms.

This ancient bed warmer is in as found condition; and considering the age, its condition is amazing.

Please examine all photos, they best tell the condition; it's quite weathered but a rare find.  

Approximately 14" diameter x 9" deep.

Condition: Weathered, rust has created holes, missing the original wooden handle, many dents