You know when you pick something up and hold it in your hand and it just feels right? I must have picked up this little copper hand warmer four times before deciding it was worthy of my market basket. The fact that it no longer had its top kept me from seeing its other possiblities.

My first thought is for it to hold water for my watercolor painting. One could add a small bundle of wild flowers for a beautiful and simple floral presentation on your breakfast table.

It’s in very good vintage condition. There are no holes in the copper work and the seams are intact. There is a golden patina on both the copper and its brass threaded top. I did not polish this piece. I just wiped with a slightly soapy cloth and dried with a hand towel. I wanted all that aged goodness to remain with the object. After all, it is the best part of the story.

4 1/4 inches (10.5 cm) across at its widest point

2 inches (5 cm) tall including the brass spout