These metal urns for carrying hot chestnuts from the open hearth to the dining-table were almost certainly made in Pontypool, well known for its japanned wares. Many chestnut urns were made in tôle peinte between 1770 and 1820 and there are several similar examples illustrated in W. John and A. Simcox, Pontypool and Usk Japanned Wares, Bath, 1953, figs. 6C, 16C, 19A and 24A.
A similar pair of George III Pontypool chestnut urns and covers was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 10 April 1986, lot 10 and a further related pair of Victorian black-painted tôle chestnut urns was sold anonymously, also in these Rooms, 16 July 1992, lot 40.