Antique A. Pool Ruislip Dairy Pail Cream Can

A small antique dairy pail or cream can, stamped to the front: A. Pool, Ruislip

This is a lovely named local dairy piece, most likely connected with A. Pool of Ivy House Farm Dairy, Ickenham, who appears in historic newspaper records as supplying customers in Ruislip and being registered under Uxbridge, Ruislip and Northwood councils. That link gives the pail a nice piece of West London / Middlesex dairy history.

The pail has a tinned metal body, dark metal swing handle, pouring spout and hinged oval lid. Small lidded pails of this type were used for carrying and pouring milk or cream, often as part of local dairy supply before modern bottles and cartons became standard. The fitted lid helped keep the contents protected, while the spout allowed for controlled pouring.

A characterful decorative piece for a dairy collection, kitchenalia display, pantry shelf, country kitchen or period prop.