Stoneware, Metal, Diatomaceous Earth. Large Rare Antique French Art Nouveau Stoneware Berkefeld Water Filter / Circa 1900/1910 / Pristine Condition. The Berkefeld filter is a water filter made from diatomaceous earth, Berkefeld is the name of the owner of the mine in Hannover, Germany, where the diatomaceous earth was obtained. The Berkefeld filter was invented in Germany in 1891. They were marketed in France in the early 20th century. And it is used to filter and purify dirty water. Tap water was not available, so it was vital that people had purified water to drink in order to combat illnesses caused by drinking dirty water such as cholera and typhoid. Berkefeld water filters are still made today, but today they are in modern stainless steel containers. This filter by Berkefeld is housed in the most beautiful stoneware container, it is pure French Art Nouveau design and therefore Parisian, dating from the time when the Art Nouveau movement swept Paris, Hector Guimard had designed the fabulous new stations of Art Nouveau Paris metro, as a reaction to the speed of industrialization functional things had to be beautiful too, this water filter is a perfect example of early 20th century Paris design. In Paris in the early 1900s the wealthy and wealthy had their own water purification systems or filters, but many Parisian residents relied on the local pharmacy for their purified water, this filter would have been placed on top of a counter or special support, for local residents to use and I think the service was free. Soon the Paris water system improved along with the emergence of water companies such as Perrier and Evian, the need for the pharmacy to supply purified water became redundant and most of the water filters were destroyed, some were carefully put away for exhibition purposes, like this lucky and extremely rare example. This Berkefeld water filter is in perfect condition, there are no scratches, marks, chips or cracks on the outer or inner shell, the Berkefeld filter itself is in excellent condition. The metal faucet / faucet is the original so it has the patina of age and the faucet is no longer turning and a bit loose, but I’m sure this is easily remedied. I’ve already mentioned the beautiful French Art Nouveau design, it’s just on the side of the faucet, lid, and handles, and it features lavender flowers on interlocking light green stems. With stylized black writing from the period that reads: Filtre Berkefeld, Compagnie Francaise du Filtre Berkefeld, Paris. This is something extremely rare and beautiful, I have done my research and have not come across a French Berkefeld like this anywhere on the internet. And I did not find a water filter in this pristine and original state. This water filter is a highly collectible piece, alternatively it makes a great wonderfully decorative statement or interior design piece, you could see this on display in a large kitchen, hotel restaurant, lobby or bar, or even used for a movie or photographic accessory. Weight; Approximately 15 Kilos. Height to Top of Cap Trim 22. Height without cap 15.4. THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT. The item “Vtg Rare Large French Antique Art Nouveau Berkefeld Water Filter Circa 1900″ is in sale since Tuesday, October 6, 2020. This item is in the category “Home & Garden\Kitchen, Dining & Bar\Small Kitchen Appliances\Water Purification\Water Filters”. The seller is “antocoma-69″ and is located in cordoba. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Model: filter
• Compatible Brand: For Aqua Optima
• Material: Ceramic
• Filtration Method: Distillation
• Type: Water Filter
• Compatible Model: For Aqua Optima Evolve
• Color: Beige
• Contaminant Removal: Bacteria
• Brand: British Berkefeld
• Suitable For: Household