Name/TitleEgg Beater - Jar

About this objectA white, earthenware, jar with a round emblem topped with a crown on the side. The circle contains the words: "The Gourmet Egg Beater" and inside this is "No. 3" This comes with a corresponding, detachable, metal plunger which exactly fits the dimension of the jar. This 'Gourmet Egg Beater' was used by both the mother and grandmother of the donor - the latter of which died in 1917. It was used at Clacton-on-Sea, pre-WWII.

Richard Hall, Research Volunteer:
Our Egg Beater was manufactured and sold by the Gourmet Company of London who were trading in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. It was a practical and welcome addition to the kitchen, as our records testify; although it was certainly not the only solution. In 1884, Willis Johnson, an American inventor, patented the first rotary egg beater. This used a geared wheel, driven by turning a handle, to turn two opposing beaters, and was set to become the standard design for all subsequent egg beaters.

Innovation and creativity were essential to satisfy the demands of the Victorian and Edwardian home kitchen. The 19th Century was a period of huge change in British society, driven by industrialisation, technical innovation and resources from the empire. This boom in industrialism led to changing expectations and a rise of a professional middle class eager to take advantage of the new freedoms presented by invention. These changes were witnessed in most area of domestic life too with new labour-saving devices and gadgets appearing in kitchens and sculleries throughout the country.

MakerGourmet & Co. Ltd.

Maker RoleManufacturer

Medium and MaterialsWhite earthenware.

Inscription and MarksJar has a round emblem topped by a crown on the side: the circle contains the words: "The Gourmet Egg Beater" and inside there is "No. 3"

MeasurementsHeight 18.3 cm
Diam: 7.8

Object numberSTMEA:77.A.58.1a

Copyright LicenceAttribution - Non-commercial (cc)