Material

iron

Dimensions

Diameter: 15" Height: 8 1/2" Height with chain: 21 3/4"

Creation Date

circa 1750 – 1850

Description

Wrought iron "game" or meat rack in the form of a crown, of riveted construction, composed of a circular hoop with two upwardly-arching braces and eight sharpened hooks. Set at the center, where the supports intersect, is a suspension ring, to which a chain of ovoid links is attached. Perforations in the hoop appear between the hooks, and are likely for removable hooks, now missing.

Sometimes referred to as a "Dutch crown,” it is easy to see how this convenient looking device could have been the inspiration for the pot rack found in many a kitchen today. Not meant to keep cooking vessels suspended above one's work space, early "game" or meat racks were mounted with sharp hooks, intended to impale and hang pieces of raw meat or fowl. Hungry beasts sneaking through the kitchen were left frustrated by the tantalizing goodies set above them, which they could only see and smell.

Provenance

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Museum Purchase.

Kitchen Artifact ID

Acc. No. 1953-5