Napierian Coffee-Maker

Napierian Coffee-Maker, British, 19th century, with copper beaker, flask with tap and burner, in brass frame on mahogany base, wd. 12 in. (lacking siphon and strainer). The Napierian was designed by James Napier of Scotland in the early 1840s. Napier, a son of Robert Napier the shipbuilder whose work on steamships and with Samuel Cunard helped revolutionized Trans-Atlantic travel, was not only a marine engineer himself but also a designer of kitchen equipment. His design of coffee-makers became a favorite of the British and other countries throughout the 19th century.