Warming Pan c. 1939

Jack Staloff made this drawing of a warming pan at an unknown date, rendering it with careful attention to its brass and wooden construction. Warming pans like this one were once a common household item, used to pre-heat beds in colder climates. The pan’s design speaks volumes about the labor and materials involved in its creation. The brass, likely hammered and shaped by a skilled metalworker, forms a shallow, perforated dish. These perforations were essential, allowing heat to radiate from the hot coals placed inside. The wooden handle, turned on a lathe, provided insulation and a comfortable grip. Consider the social context: this wasn’t a mass-produced item, but rather an object crafted with care, intended to provide comfort and warmth. In our modern world, such an object may seem quaint, even obsolete, yet it embodies a connection to earlier forms of domestic life. Staloff’s drawing invites us to reflect on the artistry embedded in everyday objects, and their connection to broader cultural practices.