Warming pan

A warming pan is a historical bed-warming utensil with a container, lid and long handle. Hot coals were placed inside, and the pan was moved between the bed linens before the bed was occupied. The long handle allowed the user to reach into the bedding.

Materials differ between surviving examples. Sir John Soane's Museum holds a copper pan with a turned wooden handle. The Science Museum Group documents a brass and iron example with a hinged lid. A single museum object therefore cannot establish the material or age of every warming pan.

Assess the pan, hinge and handle together. Look for dents, splits, repairs and a possibly replaced handle. A decorated lid alone does not prove a manufacturing date. Distinguish this implement from hot-water bottles, foot warmers and later electric bed warmers. In English, a warming pan is also distinct from a bedpan used for toileting.

Sources: Sir John Soane's Museum: Warming pan X2006; Science Museum Group: Brass warming-pan A630759.