A heart trivet with a hinged handle

This handsome antique trivet was recently purchased from the United Kingdom. The heart shape is familiar but look at the unusual handle, topped with a hinged hanging ring! The eBay listing condition: “Overall excellent uncleaned antique condition with general minor surface marks and a nice mellow patina.” The details:

● Brass with the dark patina of age. No visible cast mark.

● 8 1/4″ long (including handle) x 4 1/4″ wide; unsigned.

● Heavy for its size at 1 pound 4.7 ounces.

● Three 5/8″ diameter ball feet.

● Hardware-style attached handle (described below).

The attached ring rotates forwards and backwards 270 degrees on the hinge. The three ball feet do not screw off. Instead, they appear to have been riveted in place – as evidenced by the corresponding smooth circles visible on the top surface above each foot. Three similar circles are noted on the top surface of the handle.

Definition of rivet: A metal bolt or pin with a head on one end, inserted through aligned holes in the pieces to be joined and then hammered on the plain end to form a second head.

I queried the eBay UK seller Mike and he replied: “I bought it at an antiques fair in Sussex, but I regret I have no history on it. Suffice to say though, that in 35 years of dealing, I have never seen another like it! So I would say that it is extremely rare. ”

Although antique brass trivets are occasionally found with short feet or longer legs fashioned from hardware, I’ve never encountered a trivet with a handle like this. Was it an intentional creation, an ingenious upgrade or an early repair? Regardless of the answer, it’s a conversation piece that makes an interesting addition to my collection.