On our radar: Ruffoni copper cookware

Copper looks so classy and elegant in a modern kitchen setting while, at the same time, it can suit a rustic kitchen like ours. I dream of building a collection of vintage copper jelly moulds to display on open shelving.

We’ve recently discovered Ruffoni copper cookware which is simply wonderful. For almost 100 years, the Italian company has been manufacturing all manner of saucepans and cooking utensils and have branched out into making accessories as well (see the Instagram image below).

Unfortunately, Ruffoni don’t ship to the UK, but some of their contemporary range is available at Harrods and a handful of vintage pieces can be found on eBay.

Prices start at around £65 for a copper-lidded glass canister, all the way up to about £1,500 for a 5-piece copper cookware set.

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Price Points: Copper baths

Even though we did a bit of a quick bathroom refurb when we first moved into our cottage, we always knew it was never going to be the finished article. I really wanted to install a power shower; at the time, we didn’t know whether we had the proper plumbing in place that would allow it. Luckily, a heating engineer has since told us that we do. Also, I’d like an update on the plain white acrylic bath that we inherited. That’s why I’ve been looking around at smallish copper baths.

After much online research, there didn’t seem to be a huge discrepancy in price; they’re all between £2,000 and £3,000.

The ‘Japanese’ tub (example #1) is based on the country’s furo. You sit in it rather than recline, and it’s traditionally straight-sided and made from wood. This, of the three choices we’ve short-listed above, is probably the best option for us. Our bathroom is compact, to say the least; so the smaller the bath, the better. It may even give us the option of installing a separate shower cubicle.

Copper is a wonderful material to use for a bath tub. Firstly, it’s a great conductor of heat; meaning bath water stays hot for longer. I enjoy a really long soak with a book and/or glass of wine – so I won’t need to top up when the temperature gets too low.

Secondly, it’s an antimicrobial material. Apparently, it ‘contact kills’ 99% of harmful bacteria, which means you don’t need to use harmful chemicals to keep it clean.

Lastly, it’s a beautiful looking metal. It looks warm and inviting and, as patina develops with use, it gets even more attractive.

Japanese copper soaking tub (121 x 81 x 92cm): £2,220.74, Etsy
Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / pop-up bath, waste included (172.72 x 81.28 x 71.12 [one end] 48.26cm [other end]): £2,299.00, eBay
BC Designs boat freestanding bath, copper (150 x 72.5cm): £2,656.25, Plumbworld

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

BC Designs boat free-standing bath, copper
£2,656.25

Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / popup bath
£2,299.00

Japanese copper soaking tub
£2,220.74

BC Designs boat free-standing bath, copper
£2,656.25

Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / popup bath
£2,299.00

Japanese copper soaking tub
£2,220.74

BC Designs boat free-standing bath, copper
£2,656.25

Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / popup bath
£2,299.00

Japanese copper soaking tub
£2,220.74

BC Designs boat free-standing bath, copper
£2,656.25

Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / popup bath
£2,299.00

Japanese copper soaking tub
£2,220.74

BC Designs boat free-standing bath, copper
£2,656.25

Single slipper hammered clawfoot copper tub / popup bath
£2,299.00

Japanese copper soaking tub
£2,220.74

Price Points: Copper jelly moulds

If you read the recent ‘Get their look’ feature, you’d have seen a kitchen containing a splendid collection of antique copper jelly moulds.

They’re wonderful items – something I’d love to collect myself – but they don’t tend to come cheap. The larger and more elaborate the shape, the more expensive they will be. Many of the most sought after examples are produced by London-based Benham & Froud who traded under that name from 1855 to 1906.

In 2017, there was a Wibbly Wobbly auction where over 250 jelly and cake moulds from a single collection went under the hammer. Havee a look at the huge variation in design… and price realised! ‘The Brunswick’, as shown in #3, sold for £260.

C1900 large copper jelly mould: £65.00, Antiques Atlas
French antique copper jelly mould: £145.00, Etsy
Benham & Froud antique copper jelly mould: £425.00, eBay

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Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.