A11553

Clockwork spit jack (or bottle jack); device for hanging & turning meat when being roasted in front of an open hearth fire; cylindrical casing with an octagonal base encloses the clockwork turning mechanism; key hole has a circular sliding cover with manufacturer's details (George Salter & Co); the '30 warranted' probably refers to a guaranteed maximum weight bearing load of 30lbs of meat; also has the separate adjustable jack rack for fixing it to a cooking fireplace.

mid 19th century