This contraption looks like it was literally taken out from medieval times.
The charcoal iron is an ancestor to the modern electric iron. Charcoal irons were heated by smoldering coals, taken from a
fire and placed inside the iron. These irons were attached to wooden handles as wood is a poor conductor of heat. These hot and not to mention heavy irons, finally allowed people to smooth out wrinkles over clothing.
Small chunks of fresh charcoal was refilled into the iron from time to time to ensure that the coal continued burning keeping the iron hot. Underneath the bits of fresh black coal burned the fiery orange coal, sending smoke adrift into the air. It definitely was not easy ironing clothes back then, not only have you to be content with inhaling the smoke but also lugging around a heavy iron.
Why I wonder? Was using a crisp and wrinkled free shirt or clothes so important in an age when people could barely make ends meet, had to do hard labor just to get by, work long hours in the tin mines, finish tapping rubber before the sun is at its highest or even go out to sea facing the harsh weather to catch fish?
Why was having a wrinkled free or less wrinkled shirt so important? I guess I do not know the answer but I presume it was important for the upper class members of society to mingle around and to be gawked at wearing the latest fashion trends.
I do not know exactly when people started trying to press clothes but we know that the Chinese were using hot metal for ironing before
anyone else.
Initially, pans (similar to your Tefal non-stick frying pan) filled with hot coals pressed over stretched cloth was used.
Somehow, over time, this changed and evolved into the charcoal iron. This happened before the electric iron was
invented in 1882, by Henry W. Seeley.
Hence, it is hard to say how long ironing clothes has been going on.
Added this charcoal cast iron to my collection on 5 May 2014. This is not quite an antique because it's from the 1980's. I understand that in some parts of the world where electricity is a problem and poverty is widespread, this type of charcoal irons are still being used, even to this day. Just be careful when purchasing such irons as there are many new ones made in china claiming to be antiques. The rule of thumb is that if an item is brand spanking sparkling shining, its probably new. The new ones are made of iron and not brass so be careful
The right side view. This is the real maccoy. Although not very old in age but its genuine brass produced in the 1980's and was actually used for ironing. This unit has an outlet "valve" to let smoke flow out and also allow oxygen to enter. Oxygen is an important factor in keeping the charcoal burning
The inside view, where the hot coal would be placed. The unit without the coal alone is heavy. Imagine once hot coal is filled. Ironing during those days would definitely be a chore unless you want to build muscles and going to the gym is not an option
If you notice the screw bolts holding the handles, you would realize that this is indeed a model from the 80's and not older
Locking mechanism is simple, just a simple hinge to unlock to lift open the upper lid
Close up of the dragon motive
I gather from my research that this unit was made in Indonesia Sei Puar. The design, handle, material and motive is indicative of the area and time period it was produced
Added this charcoal cast iron to my collection on 5 May 2014. This is not quite an antique because it's from the 1980's. I understand that in some parts of the world where electricity is a problem and poverty is widespread, this type of charcoal irons are still being used, even to this day. Just be careful when purchasing such irons as there are many new ones made in china claiming to be antiques. The rule of thumb is that if an item is brand spanking sparkling shining, its probably new. The new ones are made of iron and not brass so be careful
The right side view. This is the real maccoy. Although not very old in age but its genuine brass produced in the 1980's and was actually used for ironing. This unit has an outlet "valve" to let smoke flow out and also allow oxygen to enter. Oxygen is an important factor in keeping the charcoal burning
The inside view, where the hot coal would be placed. The unit without the coal alone is heavy. Imagine once hot coal is filled. Ironing during those days would definitely be a chore unless you want to build muscles and going to the gym is not an option
If you notice the screw bolts holding the handles, you would realize that this is indeed a model from the 80's and not older
Locking mechanism is simple, just a simple hinge to unlock to lift open the upper lid
Close up of the dragon motive
I gather from my research that this unit was made in Indonesia Sei Puar. The design, handle, material and motive is indicative of the area and time period it was produced
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