Perplexed by this little doohickey? It looks like it could be a mail slot, or maybe some kind of handle? We can’t blame you if you are unfamiliar, as these guys are pretty rare!

Back in the late 1800s, you would put up storm windows for better insulation against the elements, but what do you do with an unusually hot day? Rather than putting up a ladder to take off the storm windows every time the sun comes out, you could open one of these vents to let the hot air out and some cooler air in! Sometimes called a trickle vent, many examples could be quite plain and rudimentary, being just a couple bored holes with a hinged cover, but the ones we have here are extraordinary! Sourced from an old brick school in Boston, Massachusetts, these vents are beautifully ornamented with detailed Eastlake style patterns- the perfect special detail for a restoration project or for creative re-use!

SKU: 21V1897