Large cast iron vat for laundry – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME076]

This large cast iron tub was intended to do the laundry of the entire community. It was filled with boiling water and an ash-based detergent, the very one we are rediscovering today. The drain called the “couladou” made it possible to empty it without spilling it, once the laundry was washed. We can observe two handles on the sides, as if printed with straw patterns. This results from their manufacture. They were made with tied straw, coated with clay and glued to the mold of the tank. As the mold was cooked over the fire, the burnt straw left its imprint on the so-called “strawed” handles for this reason.

Large cast iron vat for laundry – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME076]
Large cast iron vat for laundry – 16ᵗʰ century – Fonderies du Périgord – [ME076]

Reference: [ME076]

Dimensions

Diameter: 105 cm, height: 60 cm

The drain called the "couladou" allowed the vat to be emptied without having to overturn it.
The drain called the "couladou" allowed the vat to be emptied without having to overturn it.
Straw Handle: Straw pattern resulting from mold making process.
Straw Handle: Straw pattern resulting from mold making process.

I am interested in purchasing






    Some of these old vats, generous for soup, perfect for large washes or stackable to send them by boat to the Colonies, have managed to cross the centuries and come back among us.

    Au temps où faire du fer n’était pas l’enfer !

    Back when making iron wasn’t hell!