Thread: My replica 16th Century towel heater

On the front right side of this roughly 1560s woodcut of a barbershop you can see a globe with holes in the bottom and a towel draped over it. While it is impossible to be certain now, it is pretty obvious that it is some sort of a towel warmer.
I was planning on purchasing two larger copper mixing bowls to make a duplicate, but yesterday I happened upon a peculiar planter at Goodwill and it was too good of a deal ($10 as opposed to 40 each for the bowls) to pass up.
After a bit of dremel work and the welding of a hanging support ring for a smaller copper fire-bowl to go underneath it I have a period towel warmer for my barber-chirurgeon kit. We were pretty sure it was going to work, but no where near as well as it does. With the bell over the fire for approximately a minute to heat up, we draped a dripping wet towel over it. The towel was steaming within 30 seconds at almost the perfect temperature.

I think we can call it a success

Cool and unique,Earl!

Is that a wood fire.....coal fire.....or Sterno?

pretty cool, but I'd start my 16th century barbering from carrying a sword

Great work Earl!

If I had a megahuge shave den, I would put one of these in the corner.

very very cool. cant wait to see the whole kit!

Originally Posted by HarleyFXST

Cool and unique,Earl!

Is that a wood fire.....coal fire.....or Sterno?

Wood fire in that picture. I will test coals after I finish honing and it should work with sterno as well. The shape of the fire bowl directs the heat really well.

Originally Posted by gugi

pretty cool, but I'd start my 16th century barbering from carrying a sword

I've got that one covered quite well actually.

From the main page it looks like you have replica towels... That is pretty cool; though I'd be worried about it as a fire hazard.

Maybe you can use coals with essential oils or something on them to add the scent.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

From the main page it looks like you have replica towels... That is pretty cool; though I'd be worried about it as a fire hazard.

Maybe you can use coals with essential oils or something on them to add the scent.

The flame was quite well contained and charcoal was even better. I have a number of resins that would work for scent addition as well though the towel will probably not get much as the smoke is inside the bell. Cool thought.

Thats cool, and very unique! Like it..!

I'm not sure SWMBO would let me have one in our flat though lol..!

That is clever!