Manufacturer

W. Cross

Material

iron

Dimensions

Overall: 31 1/4 x 7 7/8 x 11in. (79.4 x 20 x 27.9cm)

Creation Date

circa 1770 – 1820

Description

Wrought iron toaster with long, twisted shank ending in a flat-sectioned handle topped with a rounded, pierced terminal. Opposite end of handle attached to the toast rack by a hinge to a horse-shoe shaped brace. Rack composed of a flat bottom plate resting on two sets of twin legs with curled feet. Toast is held upright by four sprigs and four twisted bars, all riveted into the bottom plate.

Perhaps one of the few dietary staples most modern Americans have in common with early Americans is a simple piece of toast. Cooking a piece of bread not only adds a delightful crunch and improves flavor, it is also an easy way of making less-than-fresh bread not only edible, but delicious. This is why toasters have been around for centuries, if not millennia, and are to be found in most kitchens today.

Anyone with a source of heat, some bread and something to hold it with can make toast. The existence of more complicated devices, like this wrought iron example, attest to the regularity in which early Americans toasted their bread. This piece is designed with a hinged handle, allowing the rack to be reversed, thereby allowing the other side of the bread to be toasted in a convenient manner.

Marks/Inscription

W.CROSS stamped on end of handle (an unknown maker).

Provenance

Gift of Mr. Foster McCarl, Jr.

Kitchen Artifact ID

Acc. No. 1979-474