S. Sternau & Co
Model: 863
Patent applied April 1 - 1903
Patent granted February 17 - 1904.
Made: New York
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Exceptional early S. Sternau & Co. hammered copper hot-beverage urn / samovar with antler handles, dispensing spigot, ornate raised stand, and separate alcohol-lamp burner assembly.
This piece is best understood as an early hot-beverage service vessel rather than simply a modern-style coffee maker. Sternau produced chafing, beverage-service, and coffee equipment for the hospitality trade, and surviving Sternau pieces of this general form are commonly described as samovars, coffee urns, or beverage urns. A specialist antique dealer has documented a closely related S. Sternau & Co. hammered copper and antler samovar dating to approximately 1903.
The markings on this example reference Sternau’s 1904 patented design. U.S. Patent No. 775,431 was granted to Sigmund Sternau, John P. Steppe, and Lionel Strassburger on November 22, 1904 and assigned to S. Sternau & Co. The patent describes a heated beverage-service apparatus using a receptacle, raised stand, and lamp. The 1904 date is therefore treated here as a PATENT DATE rather than an unqualified manufacturing date.
The vessel features richly hammered copper construction, natural antler handles, a removable fitted lid, brass-toned dispensing hardware, decorative openwork around the stand, and a separate burner/lamp assembly beneath the vessel.
These types of heated beverage-service vessels were well suited to dining, hospitality, hotel, restaurant, and transportation service because the elevated vessel and lamp allowed beverages to remain hot during service. We have been advised that this style was used in railroad dining-car service; however, this particular example does not show a railroad name or other visible provenance tying it to a specific railroad, so it is not being represented as railroad-issued.
The aged copper surface has been left with its naturally developed patina rather than aggressively polished. The combination of hammered copper, antler handles, ornate stand, and complete burner assembly gives this example particularly strong decorative and collector appeal.
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CONDITION
Very good antique condition for its age with substantial original character.
Copper surfaces show expected age-related patina, oxidation, tarnish, color variation, surface marks, and finish wear.
Some green oxidation / verdigris is visible around portions of the lower decorative stand and fittings.
Natural antler handles remain attached and show expected organic variations in color and texture.
The lid, dispensing spigot, raised stand, burner/lamp assembly, and components shown in the photographs are included.
The interior shows age-related discoloration and wear consistent with antique beverage-service use.
The burner has not been fueled or operationally tested.
The vessel has not been tested with hot liquid for leak resistance or present-day food-service use.
No guarantee is made regarding current food safety.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the condition description and show the actual item you will receive.
VERIFIED FACTS
Maker: S. Sternau & Co.
Location Associated With Maker: New York
Type: Hot Beverage Urn / Samovar / Service Urn
Primary Material: Copper
Exterior Texture: Hammered
Handle Material: Natural Antler
Dispensing Method: Spigot / Faucet
Heat Source: Separate Alcohol-Lamp / Spirit-Burner Style Assembly
Stand: Decorative Raised Three-Leg Stand
Patent Date: November 22, 1904
Patent Number: U.S. Patent No. 775,431
Patent Assignee: S. Sternau & Co.
Patent Inventors: Sigmund Sternau, John P. Steppe and Lionel Strassburger
Actual Manufacture Date: Not definitively established
Likely Era: Early 20th Century
Railroad Ownership / Provenance: Unconfirmed
Operational Status: Untested
ITEM FEATURES
S. Sternau & Co. manufacture
Early 20th-century beverage-service design
Hammered copper body
Natural antler handles
Decorative raised serving stand
Pierced / openwork copper decoration
Separate burner / heating lamp
Brass-toned spigot assembly
Removable fitted lid
Lined interior
Original aged surface and patina
Ornate presentation form
Complete multi-piece appearance
Suitable for antique hotelware, railroadiana-adjacent, copperware, samovar, and beverage-service collections
ITEM SPECIFICS
Brand: S. Sternau & Co.
Type: Hot Beverage Urn / Samovar
Antique: Yes
Vintage: Yes
Time Period Manufactured: Early 1900s
Patent Date: 1904
Material: Copper
Handle Material: Antler
Color: Copper / Brown / Brass
Surface: Hammered
Finish: Aged / Patinated
Style: Early 20th Century
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original
Set Includes: Urn, Lid, Stand, Burner Assembly, Spigot and Shown Hardware
Features: Antler Handles, Spigot, Raised Stand, Burner
Heating Method: Spirit / Alcohol Lamp Style
Capacity: Unknown
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Maker Location: New York
Railroad Marking: None Observed
Railroad Provenance: Unconfirmed
Condition: Pre-Owned / Antique
COLLECTOR / SEARCH KEYWORDS
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