Object number
60/46
Description
This is a model beer engine, a device for pumping beer. It was made by a workman of the donor’s grandfather in the nineteenth century, probably as an exhibition piece, and was used at the Cock Inn in Warminster, Wiltshire. It has a wooden veneer body, with four ivory handles with four taps (for light ale, bitter, stout and porter) and a pewter sink.
Physical description
1 model beer engine: wood; metal; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Standard museum name: … // Accession number: … // Classification: … // Negative number: … // Acquisition method: … // Acquired from: … // Date: … // Store: … // Condition: … // Recorder: KCS // Date: 24/3/94 // Description: Look like a narrow cash register. 4 ivory handles at top, in metal lined slots on curved section. 4 brass (?) taps below. Beneath them is a pewter sink with a drainage hole in the middle. The section below that has a hinged panel in it that opens outwards. No base. Inside is a metal tube coming from the drainage hole, and four pipes connected to the handles and the taps, with nuts around the bottom. These would have presumably been attached to pipes leading to the beer barrels below. The external wood veneer has much patterning. // Dimensions: Height 40.8cm. Depth 13.9cm/ Width 18cm. Sink 16.5cm x 7.8cm. // Associated information: Made by a workman of Mr. Edwards’ grandfather. It was probably made as an exhibition piece, and was used in the nineteenth century at the Cock Inn in Warminster. // (1) There are many types of beer engines… they are mostly good and easy to work, but not always easy to keep clean. // References: (1) Inn-Keeping: Ed. for the National Trade Development Association by Brian Spillel (Barrie & Rockliff).’
Production place
Warminster
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Production period
Nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_3248.tif - High resolution image
