Cast Iron Coal Hole Cover- Antique 16″

Description

 by “R.L Capell Northampton”

This reclaimed antique cast iron coal hole cover is a fascinating relic of Northampton’s industrial past. Indeed, manufactured by R. L. Capell of Gold Street, Northampton, the name cast proudly into the surface, makes this an antique. The business traded around the turn of the 20th century, making this cast iron coal hole cover over a hundred years old. Consequently, its age shows through light surface rust and weathered glass inserts, one of which bears a chip and a fine crack. However, with careful refurbishment, it becomes an intriguing memento of local history.

Cast iron became widely used in the 18th and 19th centuries, revolutionising British manufacturing. Its strength, durability and ability to take fine detail made it ideal for architectural and industrial applications. Craftsmen used it to produce everything from railings to street furniture. For practical items like manhole and cellar access covers, cast iron offered unrivalled resistance to heavy loads and weathering. This made it perfect for creating sturdy, long-lasting pieces such as this cast iron coal hole cover.

This particular design is quite unusual. The deep cast iron structure holds five thick circular glass inserts, separated by five striking seven-pointed stars. Each tapered insert fits snugly within its housing, though one sits slightly loose from age. These glass panels once allowed daylight into coal cellars below street level, providing both light and protection. Most coal hole covers were entirely cast iron, often featuring decorative motifs rather than glass. As coal use declined, many covers were removed or buried, making surviving examples increasingly rare.

Creative Adaptability

Today, this reclaimed cast iron coal hole cover offers huge creative potential. It could become a striking feature in a garden path with soft lighting beneath, or a unique wall display in an industrial-style interior. Using reclaimed heritage items like this preserves craftsmanship that modern manufacturing rarely replicates. It also reduces waste and connects your project to genuine local history. Every imperfection tells a story, and every detail reflects the skill of its maker. This antique coal hole cover stands as both a durable artefact and a meaningful piece of Northampton’s industrial heritage.

Solid cast iron manhole covers are here