Vintage English egg coddlers

These are vintage English porcelain "egg coddlers" by the brand Crown Staffordshire, featuring the "Wild Flowers" pattern. This type of kitchenware is crafted from high-quality bone china and comes with a metal screw-top lid fitted with a small ring. What are they used for? An egg coddler is used to cook eggs *au bain-marie* (gently, in a hot water bath): Grease the inside of the porcelain pot with a little butter. Crack one or two eggs into it (depending on the size of the coddler—these particular ones hold 2 eggs each). Add salt, pepper, herbs, cheese, or ingredients like pieces of ham, to taste. Screw on the metal lid and place the pot in a pan of gently simmering water (the water level should reach just below the rim of the lid). After about 6 to 10 minutes, the egg will be perfectly steamed, and you can eat it directly from the pot. Today, these specific items are highly sought after by collectors of vintage tableware. Price is for the pair.