BEATTEN COPPER.....WHAT??

[julie3d]

THIS WAS FOUND IN A BACKROOM CUPBOARD THAT LOOKS LIKE IT HADN'T BEEN OPENED IN YEARS. THIS LOOKS LIKE BEATTEN COPPER WITH A HANDLE. KINDA LOOKS LIKE IT WAS USED TO HEAT LIQUIDS OVER A FIRE? I CAN FIND NO MARKS ON IT ANYWHERE. THE HANDLE HAS A CIRCLE ON THE END, LIKE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HANG. THE CAMERA FLASH MAKES IT LOOK BRIGHT AND SHINY, BUT IT ISN'T. IT IS A DULL COPPER COLOR WITH BLACK ON IT, PROBABLY TARNISH FROM BEING IN THE CUPBOARD. DOES SOMEONE KNOW WHAT IT IS AND A POSSIBLE DATE???
PS. I HAVE TRIED TO POST THIS TWICE AND WAS TOLD UNABLE TO DUE TO PICTURE SIZE. IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE ANOTHER PICTURE, LET ME KNOW AND I WILL TRY TO GET IT TO YOU.
THANKS,
JULIE

[curiosity]

It is called Hammered Copperware and was utilized from early Colonial times till mass production came.  Silversmiths would make utilitarian objects during slow work periods to help with finances.
 The riveting attachment and the shaping of the handle end along with the shape of the cup are indicative of it's age. Whatever you do, DO NOT clean or polish it, the surface wear or Patina is important in verifying it's age also.
  Because they were less important pieces they seldom have a maker's mark, still there might be one you have to look closely tilting the piece every which way to find one.

[miss.hart]

my friend has a similar item, probably alot newer, that he uses to brew turkish coffee.