Wash Copper Funnel

Artist: J.W. Brooke & Co. Ltd. (Adrian Works, Lowestoft)
Date: Circa 1890–1914
Medium: Wrought Industrial Copper
Dimensions: Approximately 20″ Height and 19 3/4″ Diameter (Standard for period wash coppers)

This antique “Wash Copper Funnel” is a specialized piece of domestic-industrial hardware produced by J.W. Brooke & Co. Ltd. at their historic Adrian Works in Lowestoft. Before becoming world-renowned shipbuilders and manufacturers of marine engines, the Brooke foundry was a central part of Lowestoft’s industrial life, producing iron and copper fittings for both maritime and household use. A “wash copper” refers to the large built-in copper boiler used for laundry in Victorian and Edwardian homes; this funnel served as the steam vent or filling conduit designed to direct boiling steam away from the user or to facilitate the replenishment of water without extinguishing the fire below.

The piece is a testament to late 19th-century craftsmanship, featuring brazed seams and a rolled rim characteristic of the period’s heavy-duty copperware. The maker’s mark or associated documentation from the Adrian Works adds significant provenance, as most of the company’s early records were destroyed in a fire in 1918, making surviving branded items like this highly collectible for local history enthusiasts and maritime buffs alike. Its robust construction allowed it to withstand the intense heat and humidity of a traditional scullery, and today its deep, aged patina makes it a sought-after decorative object for “industrial-chic” or “modern farmhouse” interiors.