What the firkin?!?!

If you have done any antiquing you have most likely run into something being sold as a "firkin". But how many of those are actually firkins? You might say that, over time, the exact names for the utilitarian vessels used to carry liquids have become fluid. But whether they are called buckets, pails or firkins, lidded or unlidded, these objects have always been popular with collectors. The Oxford dictionary definitions imply that buckets are specifically for drawing water from a well, while pails are more generally vessels that hold or carry liquids. These contrast with a firkin which is actually an old English form of measure equal to a quarter barrel or 8 gallons. As early as the 16th Century in England, firkin was the measurement used for transport or sale of beer or ale. As noted above, over time, the term firkin was used to apply to lidded containers beyond the transport of beer or ale and today, in the antique world, you will find almost any type of lidded pail referred to as a firkin. We recently came across the pictured lidded pail at auction. It was one of the largest stave lidded pails we had ever seen. It features 3 wood hoops with fingers attached with copper nails as well as a bentwood swing handle secured to the pail with wood button pins. The lid has carved initials "LY.B". Amazing patina! The pail measures approximately 14" high and 13" in diameter. Interestingly, it looks like this lidded pail would hold approximately 8 gallons!