Cast iron trivet marked 'B&D' by Bless & Drake

This cast iron trivet was manufactured by Bless & Drake, a Newark, New Jersey company that operated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These trivets were designed as rests for sad irons (flat irons heated on stoves), protecting surfaces from the hot metal while the iron was in use or cooling. The openwork design allowed heat to dissipate while maintaining structural integrity. Bless & Drake trivets are recognizable by their distinctive 'B&D' marking and practical, utilitarian construction that reflected the industrial manufacturing capabilities of the era. Such items represent an important chapter in domestic history, documenting the labor-intensive nature of household tasks before electric appliances. They appeal to collectors of antique kitchen implements, cast iron enthusiasts, and those interested in American industrial history and domestic life artifacts. The simple yet functional design and the maker's mark make these pieces desirable for display in period-appropriate settings or as part of broader collections documenting the evolution of household technology.